My name is Thomas J. Hawkins, a fourth Generation San Benito County cattle rancher. I was named for my locally famous great grandfather, Thomas S. Hawkins, who settled here in 1867, 157 years ago, at the age of 31.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital saves lives, gives healthcare in San Benito County, and was given to this county by the generosity of my great grandfather. While I obviously cannot speak for T. S. Hawkins, I am sure his intent was for the hospital to remain owned by the county that was the beneficiary of his gift, not given up to be sold.
I realize this decision to sell or not is hard for everyone, but we have a wonderful hospital, medical and nursing staff, modern equipment, and an excellent, modern emergency department under the direction of Dr. Bogey.
My great grandfather would not have wanted the ownership of the hospital to ever leave this county. The hospital was his gift to our ancestors and to all of us now living here, and it would be a dishonor to him, and to all of us, to sell our hospital to out-of-state owners. Promises and contracts can be broken, and property can be sold again and again.
Do not let our little gem be taken from us.
We need to keep our hospital local to provide jobs, healthcare and to save many more lives. After all, if the county had a hospital in 1902, T. S. Hawkins’ granddaughter, my second cousin Hazel, would not have died at the young age of 9 of a ruptured appendix.
So please vote to keep Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital local, this cherished gift that was so generously given by a grieving grandfather so others would not suffer loss like he did.
T. S. Hawkins was one of the original founders of the town of Hollister and four generations of his descendants still live in San Benito County. T. S. Hawkins wanted the county to thrive, and he knew for it to do so, the county needed a modern hospital, so he built one.
Let us not squander his philanthropic gift. All lives, including all San Benito County lives, are precious. Local ownership of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital should not be an option. Bequeathed to San Benito County by an overly generous, heartbroken grandfather, do not let this valuable gift slip through our hands.
Thomas “Jim” Hawkins
Hollister
