BY RUTH ERICKSON
Our local Hollister roads, streets and highways come under different jurisdictions – the city, the county, the RDA, COG and Caltrans. This makes maintenance a headache.
I understand the new Highway 25 bypass’ weeds come under COG’s jurisdiction, though the highway belongs to the city until the state takes over its jurisdiction. So who handles costs on the weeds and road maintenance in the meantime?
The state still has jurisdiction over the old Highway 25, yet Caltrans hasn’t taken care of the disgraceful condition of the section between Rancho Drive and San Benito Street, a huge embarrassment of part of a scenic highway. It seems we have to take care of the new and old Highways 25!
Has the state/Caltrans disowned both until it is convenient for them to do their job?
Many of the downtown streets are in a more deplorable condition than the old part of 25 just mentioned, and there are plans being discussed to bring in more businesses and downtown beautification projects.
It’s a big disappointment and an embarrassment to many of Hollister’s founding families after whom many of the streets are named that the condition of the streets have been steadily deteriorating in the 30 years we have lived here. So many of the streets only get band-aid maintenance periodically but never get fixed or rebuilt.
In order to attract businesses to establish downtown, the streets need to be maintained, rebuilt, made safe and attractive in order to make Hollister residents proud of their city!
Surely the president’s stimulus package for “shovel-ready projects” should take care of all our local streets?
Let’s quit talking and get working! Let’s show our city pride once again!
Ruth Erickson is a Hollister resident who is active in many local organizations.
