If it smells like a rally and sounds like a rally, it might just be a rally.
City leaders have canceled the biker rally for 2009, yet they continue to quasi-promote festivities in downtown over the July 4 weekend by treating motorcycle-related vendors as they would any other sales set-up.
It’s not only hypocritical – but it’s also downright confusing.
When city leaders made that bold decision last year against sanctioning the rally in 2009, they sent a message that Hollister no longer can support an event that lacks any semblance of financial viability.
Taxpayers had swallowed more than $200,000 from the 2008 event organized by a private promoter. Considering the poor economy and Hollister officials’ successful pursuit of the Measure T sales tax increase in late 2007, canceling the event was the only rationale choice.
Now, however, by allowing any and all temporary-use permits and treating the motorcycle vendors like any other used car sale in town at Kmart over a weekend, it signals a back-door attempt at putting on and endorsing an unorganized rally.
It is neither a desirable nor sustainable way of overseeing this annual get-together for the long term. The message, blared out to the rest of the state and country, lacks clarity as to the direction of the event. Their tone opens the door for continued chaos.
We suggest as a solution that Hollister officials restrict their issuance of temporary-use permits over that weekend to only Fourth of July-related events, such as fireworks sales.
It would allow for fireworks sales and other holiday-related festivities to continue. It also would clearly signify to any prospective visitors that the City of Hollister’s leaders have decided they do not support this event. After all, that is what they decided.
