The Hollister Downtown Association wrapped up its summer
activities with tortillas and eggs when it hosted its summer
breakfast meeting at Las Palmas Restaurant on Wednesday.
Several important issues were discussed and awards were
presented to community members who had shown outstanding commitment
to promoting the proliferation of downtown success throughout the
year.
The Hollister Downtown Association wrapped up its summer activities with tortillas and eggs when it hosted its summer breakfast meeting at Las Palmas Restaurant on Wednesday.
Several important issues were discussed and awards were presented to community members who had shown outstanding commitment to promoting the proliferation of downtown success throughout the year.
Officer David Blair of the Hollister Police Department discussed the changes in the police department and what local merchants can except in the near future.
“There are lots of things up in the air for the police department,” Blair said.
After fighting hard to keep the D.A.R.E. program, which will be present in Hollister this year and possibly next year as well, the police department did lose two traffic officers who patrolled downtown, he said.
“I can’t see anything that’s going to change in the next couple of months as far as speed and traffic enforcement on San Benito Street,” Blair said.
Currently, the police department doesn’t have anyone healthy enough to patrol the area on motorcycle, he said.
He encouraged merchants not to hesitate to call the police department in the case of a problem, great or small, he said.
“If we’re not busy, we’ll be there in three to four minutes. If we are, we might take 30 or 45, but we’ll get there,” he said.
The city’s downtown beautification project’s scope has increased, prolonging its start date, said Redevelopment Director Bill Avera.
This project, which has an estimated budget of $3.3 million, will include replacing the sidewalks and crosswalks, implementing decorative pedestrian lighting and benches, planting new trees with iron tree gates and improving the alleys.
“Towards the end of January a contractor will be awarded and we’ll have started construction,” Avera said. “It should be done by July 4, (2004).”
Community spirit awards, presented by HDA Executive Director Liz Kresky, were given to several local merchants and volunteers.
Volunteer Organization of the Year was presented to the Lioness Club, which recently disbanded in mid-June after 23 years of service, for its countless hours of work in the community.
Volunteer of the Year was presented to Denise Cauthen-Wright, advertising director of the Hollister Free Lance.
“I love downtown very much,” she said, ” I love the people.”
Best Window Display went to Timber & Textiles, and San Benito Bank was awarded the Most Generous Business of the Year. Megan Guerra, the owner of Main Street Bistro, was presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
“I’m so happy to be back in Hollister,” she said, “back downtown.”
