Hollister Mayor Victor Gomez responded candidly to criticism
from this editorial board and a call from Free Lance columnist
Marty Richman to explain the timelines and events that defined the
city’s January approval of the 30-year lease deal with ClearSpot
Energy
Hollister Mayor Victor Gomez responded candidly to criticism from this editorial board and a call from Free Lance columnist Marty Richman to explain the timelines and events that defined the city’s January approval of the 30-year lease deal with ClearSpot Energy.
Gomez did not just respond, either. He came across as genuine. He was frank and at times acknowledged his own missteps in the process – namely, hesitating to question why the council’s discussions over the matter were being handled in closed session.
In also pointing out what he called a “flaw” in state law that allowed exclusive talks with one company without public bidding or vetting processes, Gomez stepped up and did what few locally elected officials do. He admitted the city did not involve citizens and potential competitors enough and acknowledged the state law restricts competition for public contracts.
Gomez made it clear: He now understands that state law, which Hollister officials cited in their justification for closed talks, is a major problem that runs contrary to the fundamental government functions of openness and fairness.
His own openness about the talks, and about his lacking knowledge in the early stages of the process, also revealed there was a deliberate effort to keep the negotiations secret, to restrict competition so ClearSpot could trudge toward having a local stronghold on public solar agreements, to limit citizens’ dialogue until shortly before what became a rubber-stamp approval by council members.
Gomez progressed as a leader last week by openly and honestly admitting poor judgment – because everybody has it at times – and making it a point to avoid a similar problem again.
