Like most California municipalities, the City of Hollister finds
itself in a financial pickle. In order to serve its people and
planners, local officials have done their due diligence in
assessing what can and should be done to keep the town’s house in
order.
I attended last week’s candlelight vigil for the city employees
as an observer and as a friend of the workers whose jobs are
literally on the line. That experience inspired me to write this
commentary and send feedback to the staff who will be the ultimate
decision makers, who are, lest we forget
– elected City Council members.
Like most California municipalities, the City of Hollister finds itself in a financial pickle. In order to serve its people and planners, local officials have done their due diligence in assessing what can and should be done to keep the town’s house in order.
I attended last week’s candlelight vigil for the city employees as an observer and as a friend of the workers whose jobs are literally on the line. That experience inspired me to write this commentary and send feedback to the staff who will be the ultimate decision makers, who are, lest we forget – elected City Council members.
Local government leaders being faced with challenges are at all levels. This is not a new concept. As we all know, responsibility and authority come hand in hand with those who choose to “serve the people.”
Last week’s City Council meeting, which I attended, was fairly typical of many California areas where I have worked with local government officials and local citizens to find and fashion solutions to produce results.
Sometimes we need to state the obvious: In Hollister, the forecasted future is predicting financial rain. Every winter season when the weather people predict rainstorms, the city’s workforce takes immediate steps and precautions. Drains are checked and cleaned, equipment is double checked and contingency plans are reviewed.
When citizens use the parks or any other city services, their hard working neighbors, who are the face of the City of Hollister, serve them.
As evidenced by the work done by loyal city workers over the years, it would seem the city leaders would not only be proud to “stand by their workers,” but would go the extra mile in seeking and finding solutions that are the worthy results of them as true leaders.
Leadership comes in many forms, but one of them is not passing the buck, taking the easy way out or otherwise throwing up your hands in defeat and surrendering.
The easy way out is to rely on guesses and gloomy predictions, and then take swift action to “reduce the workforce” for now. While that avenue was taken last week, there is still plenty of time for the elected leaders to collaborate with their workers and other community and civic-minded folks to discuss and make it clear that in order to serve people, the city wants, and is going to, take care of its workers.
Budget predictors are one measure to consider. However, in a town like Hollister, neighborly spirit and relationships give leaders an opportunity to lead by example, and develop working relationship with its workers and citizens.
Hollister is a place that values its traditions and its Baler football. This is a time to value its city workers.
Richard Ybarra,
San Diego
