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Could not help but reply to the recent article in the Free Lance
(Dec.18) titled ‘Fire Station moving along.’
First of all, I applaud Pauline Valdivia stating ‘We need to
continue moving forward, because if we don’t, it’s never gong to
get done.’ Thank you for your position.
With regard to Councilman Scattini’s comment on staffing it. As
stated in a previous Citizens Voice, it is imperative that the City
Council maintain the current staffing for both fire and police. You
know that the fire department is understaffed by industry standard.
However, Councilman Scattini’s comment about not staffing the new
station and using it for storage is the most ridiculous comment I
have heard. Why build it?
“Could not help but reply to the recent article in the Free Lance (Dec.18) titled ‘Fire Station moving along.’
First of all, I applaud Pauline Valdivia stating ‘We need to continue moving forward, because if we don’t, it’s never gong to get done.’ Thank you for your position.
With regard to Councilman Scattini’s comment on staffing it. As stated in a previous Citizens Voice, it is imperative that the City Council maintain the current staffing for both fire and police. You know that the fire department is understaffed by industry standard. However, Councilman Scattini’s comment about not staffing the new station and using it for storage is the most ridiculous comment I have heard. Why build it?
If it is storage you are looking for, there is plenty of space available in the Downtown Parking Garage.
I do not know for sure if the three newest firefighters were hired for Station No. 2 or because the City Council recognized the fire department was understaffed worse than it currently is (.66 per 1,000 city residents).
Let’s assume for a minute the Council decides to eliminate these three newest positions. That would put the firefighter to residents ratio at .60. In other words, worse than it is now. With a vacant station and the residents of Hollister at greater risk, the firefighters are in an even worse position to respond to calls.
Councilman Scattini, I will give you the benefit of the doubt that perhaps your comment was taken out of context? We all know we need another station and need to maintain it with at least the current public safety staff and look to increasing it over time.
Suggestion: Leave the staff as is at 24. Staff both stations with what is currently in place and develop a strategy to staff both fire stations commensurate with the population/industry standard over the next 3-5 years.
I would still suggest to the City Council that you should continue to evaluate staffing, which should be an ongoing process. Take advantage of any early or nonearly retirements. Do not backfill any open positions unless absolutely necessary and look at the various positions to see where reasonable consolidations can be made and make good business sense.
Look to the future to see where revenues can be generated and think outside the box. A race track as mentioned in one of the editorials is a great idea. Do some homework and you will be amazed the revenue generated from a single big league event and the jobs that can be created, to say nothing of hotel and restaurant revenues. Not just NASCAR, but NHRA, IRL and CART are all candidates.
Located correctly, it should not bother anyone, impact the environment and farming and ranching can still remain the heritage and lifestyle of this area. Look at the big picture, not a myopic view. It did not destroy the area around Laguna Seca and Sear’s Point is in the wine country. One does not have to like racing, but it is the business opportunity of racing that may be attractive and considered. In other words, look under all the rocks.”
“The function of the County Marshal was to serve the Municipal Court System. When the Municipal Court system was phased out, the function of the Marshal was eliminated. As of 2002, all but three County Marshal positions had been eliminated in the State of California.
The function of the Sheriff’s Department is to serve the Superior Court system. For the last several years, the San Benito Marshal has been assisting in this duty. The Superior Court system is the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department. With the term of Marshal ending, it is time to phase out the position of San Benito County Marshal.
Bob Scattini has served San Benito County well and we owe him our thanks. However, with the county in the fiscal crisis, it is time to eliminate the expense and duplication of services of the Marshal’s office.”
