Losing your job, especially if you have dedicated much of your
life and expertise to it, is a cruel blow
– even worse if you have worked hard and followed the rules.
Not only does it signal a sudden loss of income, but it can
drastically change just about every facet of your life
– and those around you.
Losing your job, especially if you have dedicated much of your life and expertise to it, is a cruel blow – even worse if you have worked hard and followed the rules.
Not only does it signal a sudden loss of income, but it can drastically change just about every facet of your life – and those around you.
So we sympathize with those who attended the highly charged City Council meeting Monday night in Hollister.
We also can see the predicament the City Council members and especially City Manager Dale Shaddox are in.
Shaddox inherited a financial mess since starting at his key post last May. He has worked hard and with much integrity to find the best solutions to keep Hollister in any semblance of solid financial standing.
So we agree with the postponement of a City Council decision until Jan. 28 so that more options can be explored, with many of the ideas being offered by the ones who would be hurt most.
We also find fault with some of the cuts proposed. How can a fire department operate without a chief, especially an experienced and competent one such as ours?
There must be a reason why other cities haven’t approached their own financial challenges by lopping off several key department heads.
Does the president of a bank have to work each morning at the teller cage to be effective?
Do we expect to see Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller patrolling the neighborhoods on a graveyard shift or CHP Commander Bob Davies writing speeding tickets?
Of course not.
There is proven need for leadership and administrative experience in any organization, especially in the public safety sector where military-type training and chain of command are key.
On the other hand, there are some city positions that can and must be cut in light of the budget crisis.
We also believe the city employees union should continue to work in good faith with city officials and avoid unreasonable demands or delays.
Shaddox and City Council members should quickly go back to the drawing board and come up with a compromise plan for review at the Jan. 28 meeting.
The one proposed last night is faulty and would especially hurt already thinly stretched public safety services.
And let’s not forget putting the heat on those holding out on payments due to the city, such as San Benito Foods and its large sewer marker. There are others on the books that would help alleviate some layoffs if they were paid.
Tell them to pay up or impose daily fines. Why be wishy washy with an out-of-state corporation such as the owners of the cannery when local jobs are at stake?
The Jan. 28 City Council meeting should not be a rubber stamp for what was not approved Monday night. Don’t underestimate the emotions of city residents when it comes to losing jobs.
If the same plan is trotted out again, the people will – and should – gather again to protest.
Some job cuts are inevitable. But let’s leave the fire chief and police department personnel out of it and go from there.
Even more than ever, we welcome your thoughts on this sad, volatile and important issue.
