Hollister
– Despite several hotly contested local races and high-profile
ballot issues, some San Benito County voters may be more interested
in national and statewide politics.
Hollister – Despite several hotly contested local races and high-profile ballot issues, some San Benito County voters may be more interested in national and statewide politics.
Many voters in informal polls said statewide and national issues were foremost on their minds. Jan Grist, of Ridgemark, shopping at Albertson’s Monday afternoon, said it is important for her to see control of the United States House of Representatives and Senate change hands. And although she cannot vote on City of Hollister’s Measure S and Measure R, Grist believes Measure R is of great importance.
“I live in Ridgemark so I can’t vote on S and I can’t vote on R,” Grist said. “I hope R does pass so we can increase services for our children.”
Local names mentioned Monday were few and far between, but one name struck a chord with Debbie Place, of Hollister, before doing some afternoon shopping at Albertson’s on Monday.
“The one person in Hollister I will vote for is Robert Scattini,” Place said. “He’s awesome.”
Place prefaced the comment with her feelings on the gubernatorial race.
“As far as governor goes – Daffy Duck,” Place said.
Ken Colbert, of Hollister, stood outside Target puffing on a cigarette before doing some Monday afternoon shopping. Colbert said Prop. 86, the proposed cigarette tax initiative, was high on his list of interests along with the gubernatorial race and other statewide issues. Colbert said little about local measures and candidates.
“I’ve got to look at it,” he said.
For voters who have procrastinated on reading up on local issues, the Free Lance has provided a quick guide:
California State Senator for the 12th District:
n Incumbent Republican Jeff Denham vs. challenger Wiley Nickel
Denham has focused on his own record, saying he worked on reforming worker’s compensation to help reduce the $40 billion deficit. Denham claims to be a moderate conservative: fiscally conservative but a big spender on education. He is a major proponent of Prop. 83, which, if passed, will force sex offenders to wear Global Positioning System devices for the rest of their lives.
Wiley describes himself as a moderate-to-conservative Democrat. Wiley takes more conservative stances on taxes, gun rights and the death penalty. The former deputy district attorney in Monterey is running as a self-proclaimed reformer, tackling campaign finance reform and late budget passage through denying assemblymen pay.
Wiley is for abortion rights while Denham is against abortion rights.
California Member of State Assembly, 28th District:
n Democrat Mayor of Salinas Anna Caballero vs. Republican challenger Ignacio Velazquez
The State Assembly District 28 race has focused primarily on Caballero’s record as the Salinas mayor.
Caballero, a longtime politician, is better known than Velazquez and has raised more campaign funds. Caballero received more votes in the June primary while facing a challenger for the Democratic nomination than did Velazquez running unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Velazquez, a Hollister businessman, has focused on Caballero’s record as mayor and her work as a defense attorney. Velazquez’s mostly self-funded campaign has attacked Caballero through mailings and television ads.
A recent controversy flared in which both sides accused each other of illegal campaign activities involving a Velazquez campaign sign.
San Benito County Supervisor for the 4th District:
n Republican incumbent Reb Monaco vs. Democrat challenger Tracie Cone
Monaco has focused on his accomplishments as supervisor, such as addressing staffing issues, moving forward with a revision to the county’s general plan and the creation of a countywide parks commission. Monaco remains neutral on Measure S.
Cone, former owner of the Pinnacle newspaper from 1999 to 2004, has focused on her economic expansion plan, including making the sewage plant construction a top priority, creating a new Economic Development Plan and streamlining the permit process for businesses and encouraging development of service stations in commercial enterprise zones. Cone is against Measure S.
City of Hollister District 2 City Council seat:
n Mayor Robert Scattini vs. Eugenia Sanchez
Scattini has been active in Hollister’s public life for more than 40 years. Scattini said one major accomplishment in his four years as mayor is the soon-to-begin construction on the wastewater treatment plant, a project many hope will end the city’s development moratorium. Scattini is also playing an active role in organizing the motorcycle rally. He opposes Measure S.
Sanchez, a Gilroy elementary school teacher, current president of the Hollister School District Board of Trustees and single mother of two, hopes to bring communication and a fresh face to the city council. Sanchez has been active with the Gang Task Force Advisory Board, working to address Hollister’s gang problem. She said working on the budget woes of the school district while on the school board has prepared her for the city’s own budget concerns.
Measure R:
A Yes vote will approve an ordinance imposing a 1 percent sales tax on all retailers in the City of Hollister. The tax would be an increase from the current 7.25 percent to a proposed 8.25 percent.
The City estimates the tax will generate $4 million in revenue each year. The tax would be effective April 1, 2007, and would automatically terminate April 1, 2012.
PRO: The City of Hollister faces a $2.7 million budget deficit. City staffing has been cut more than 20 percent since 2002. The extra $4 million will provide funding for adequate police and fire protection, combating gang activity, recreational programs for children, repair of streets and sidewalks and the maintenance of city services. All additional money generated by the tax will stay in Hollister.
CON: Increased sales tax for up to five years.
Measure S:
If approved, Measure S would amend Hollister’s General Plan to permit development of Mixed Use Residential Communities, make Hollister’s Measure U inapplicable to such communities and require that 650 building permits per year be made available for MURC.
Measure S also designates 1,365 acres east of Highway 25 and north of Highway 156 for the site of a MURC with up to 4,400 new housing units.
Measure S would require a MURC to include some residences for those 55 and older but does not specify a specific percentage or number. Projected population growth of such a site is 7,920.
The site would most likely be home to Del Webb Sun City.
PRO: Yes on S would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for area schools without the added students. Measure S would bring in active, engaged and predominantly retired citizens who spend less time on the roads at peak hours. Measure S will help downtown Hollister retail and restaurants through active and spending adults. Measure S will provide local recreation for the entire community, including walking trails, bike paths, lakes and open space.
CON: Measure S is filled with loopholes and evasive language. Measure S will make the development eligible for benefits not provided to any other developer in the city. Measure S would only require Del Webb to allocate 35 units of senior housing in the 4,400 unit development. Development next to the airport limits future airport expansion and creates noise and safety concerns. Measure S would also increase traffic on already congested state highways and county roads. Measure S encourages sprawl.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or mv*********@fr***********.com.
