Two founders of the Hollister Independence Rally Committee who
resigned recently due to turmoil within the nonprofit group have
returned to lend a hand with organizational issues after weeks of
problems surrounding the event.
Hollister – Two founders of the Hollister Independence Rally Committee who resigned recently due to turmoil within the nonprofit group have returned to lend a hand with organizational issues after weeks of problems surrounding the event.
Linda Durie, one of three founders of HIRC, resigned in September after former President Dave Ventura proposed that HIRC contract with him to sell sponsorships for the Fourth of July motorcycle rally.
She was so opposed to Ventura’s proposal that, although it was voted down and Ventura ultimately resigned, she “could not in clear conscious support a sitting director profiting” and disassociated herself from the committee.
However, Ventura’s resignation and recent problems surrounding the rally and HIRC’s organization of it caused Durie and co-founder Pat Akins, who resigned along with Durie, to reconsider their departure.
“There’s a lot of turmoil going on right now. It seems like everyone’s trying to grab for a carrot. (Pat and I) have offered to come back and help.”
Several City Council members have said they would consider canceling the rally if concrete evidence to support HIRC’s claim that the event’s gain overshadows the risk isn’t provided soon.
Two reports also cast shadows: a sobering report from Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller saying he couldn’t guarantee adequate public safety staffing at future events, and an economic impact report discredited by council members for a lack of hard numbers.
Then City Manager Clint Quilter said recently that a for-profit group had approached him about taking over rally organizing.
Durie adamantly believes the event should remain a nonprofit.
“The whole concept behind the rally is to keep the money for the youth of Hollister. I have a hard time with people taking something for good to turn it into a profit for themselves.”
Acting President John Loyd said he asked Durie to return, and was delighted she did.
“She’s been around so long she has a lot of experience with different aspects of the rally, and I personally like her,” Loyd said. “She’s a good friend and a good person.”
