City Council votes to not sanction or sponsor the Independence
Day motorcycle rally
As expected, the Hollister City Council voted 3-2 to cancel the
2006 Hollister Independence Day Rally, despite a last minute
proposal submitted by an outfit located in Florida, which would
have spent as much as $350,000 to host the event.
Monday night’s council meeting saw an abundance of people coming
out to support the rally, including three members of the Mongols
motorcycle club and local members of the Top Hatters Motorcycle
Club.
City Council votes to not sanction or sponsor the Independence Day motorcycle rally
As expected, the Hollister City Council voted 3-2 to cancel the 2006 Hollister Independence Day Rally, despite a last minute proposal submitted by an outfit located in Florida, which would have spent as much as $350,000 to host the event.
Monday night’s council meeting saw an abundance of people coming out to support the rally, including three members of the Mongols motorcycle club and local members of the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club.
The proposal submitted by Biker Design, of South Beach Florida included a promise to pay the total sum of $300,000 to the city for the special event. The offer would have included vending rights – including food and soft drinks – beer and wine rights and possibly liquor rights.
Biker Design requested a three-year contract since they claimed they were looking for a long-term relationship.
Additionally, the representative said, Biker Design would also pay for the garbage, cleaning, and any other miscellaneous expenses that would occur and provide insurance certification for $2,000,000.
Tom Recel, president of Biker Design was at the council meeting Monday night to field questions from the council regarding his proposal. He said that it was his feeling that if they get the wheels spinning before March 1, 2006, there was still a chance that the rally could happen this year. However, anytime thereafter it would be very difficult.
“Walking in here at 6:30 tonight and submitting a two-page proposal, there are a whole lot of details unaccounted for. There is no way I could support this,” said Councilperson Doug Emerson.
His concerns were echoed by Pauline Valdivia and Monica Johnson. “I have lots of concerns. Your big picture is sketchy. I’m sure you’re very reputable, but the thing I keep hearing from the people that talk to me is that the time for the rally is done.”
Ultimately, it was the council’s concern for the public safety and the fact that there were no organizations who put forth proposals in a timely matter that led the council to conclude that a rally for 2006 was not possible.
There may be some people who come to San Benito County regardless, but there will not be anything here for them. Furthermore, police will be officiating that weekend to make sure that anyone who comes to town isn’t making trouble for anyone else.
