Community

There are three crucial components to solve Hollister’s serious safety problem with lacking helmet use by minors on skateboards, bicycles and scooters.

After eight years of discussions, workshops, hiring and firing of consultants, environmental reviews and tense debates, county supervisors approved a new general plan as the blueprint for future development.

Political leadership and law enforcement’s general passivity toward illegal fireworks is a serious public-safety problem, but neighbors must play a more active role in reporting the dangerous crimes as well.

Hollister officials’ decision to halt alcohol sales at midnight in the biker-rally area was a misguided, snap judgment and cost business owners significant revenue.

There never really was a doubt that San Benito County supervisors would support the Panoche Valley Solar Project, a 247-megawatt effort set to result in an estimated 500 construction jobs locally and even more over the long term. It’s less clear, though, how four state and federal agencies might rule on the project opposed by an array of big environmental groups and neighbors of the site.

All too often in San Benito County, local government leaders have tried to push property or parcel taxes to fund initiatives or deficits caused by irresponsible budgeting. An example was the Hollister School District’s failed 2011 attempt to pass a $96 parcel tax at the depths of its financial problems, with the special election costing local taxpayers close to $150,000.

An attempt to charge additional “Rescue Fees” when residents need help from the Hollister Fire Department should go up in flames. It is nothing more than a cruel money grab and could do serious harm to families throughout the community.

The new Healthy Checkout Lane at Hollister Super, Gavilan district elections, talk of road repairs and Bolado Park upgrades are all signs of progress in the county.

With all the talk lately about water cuts due to the ongoing drought in California, it begs the question about a local resource that is being left untapped. What is going on at San Justo Reservoir?

There were no winners in the 11-year civil saga between former Supervisor Richard Scagliotti and the self-titled “Los Valientes” group of petitioners who filed the lawsuit.