The gang (of ex-politicians) that couldn’t shoot straight behind the recall of County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez is at it again. They are going after Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki.
Their first attempt failed because they didn’t or couldn’t read the simple rules governing recall petitions. Based on what has been demonstrated to date, incompetence has become the hallmark of this recall gang.
If we take a moment to climb above all the legal and political minutia, surrounding their bumbling efforts, this question remains: Why would a group of three failed politicians launch such an endeavor?
The answer should raise a red flag for all of us who are in favor of slow, sensible growth in our county. It’s about control and where it will reside.
Outside interests—developers, in particular—have a vested interest in doing two things: Opening the door to more development and controlling the local politicians who have the power to let them do it. They want political puppets who will do their bidding to replace Mr. Velazquez and Mr. Kosmicki.
They couldn’t care less about the quality of life of the people who live here in Hollister and the rest of San Benito County. The recent effort by a multinational corporation to build a mega-dump here in our county is evidence of that. Fortunately, citizens banded together and blocked this disaster. The people made politicians listen.
The voters made their priorities clear on a larger scale during the 2024 election. It wasn’t a dump this time. It was about slowing our out-of-control development without corresponding infrastructure improvements.
This development was being allowed by politicians who served the developers and not the people who live here. The voters pushed back and the results were astonishing, both in the primary and general election.
The people sent a resounding message: “If you are a politician who supports rapid growth and are pandering to developers, you are gone!”
The passage of measure A also came with the defeat of former Mayor Mia Casey and ex-Council Members Rick Perez and Tim Burns. It also resulted in the failure of Stacie McGrady, another member of the recall group, to attain office.
The removal of politicians Casey, Perez and Burns by the voters was a strong indication that our citizens were tired of politicians who supported uncontrolled growth and unconcerned about the adverse effects of that development.
The evidence of their short-sighted decision making was clear. A case in point of this was their attempt to extend the boundaries of Hollister outward and zoning to facilitate rapid development with thousands upon thousands of houses being added to the community without corresponding attention to infrastructure. That is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
The recall is a scam because it has absolutely nothing to do with a fire contract or conduct or even “ineffectiveness.” It never truly was about those things. As I mentioned earlier, looking at things from a 10,000-foot view, it becomes painfully obvious that this dumpster fire, lit by the aforementioned ex-politicians and their developer donors is simply an attempt to dupe (scam) the citizens who voted for Mr. Velazquez and Mr. Kosmicki, into removing them from office. Both men are considered “slow the growth” county supervisors.
Removing them from office would re-open the door to uncontrolled growth and bring back the corrupt politicians owned by developers. And, most importantly, it would send the message to San Benito County citizens frustrated by uncontrolled growth that the quality of our lives and our future will be decided by outside interests, not the voters who live here.
A “NO” vote on the recall stops the scam.
John Robles
San Benito County
Mr.Robles
Its time to put up or shut up. This community is sick and tired of your groups constant lies defimation and slander. Prove what you say. Your group has never not once Proved anything you say. Its time for your group and your leader to PUT UP FACTS or shut the h**l up.
John Robles is entitled to his opinion, but let’s stop pretending his piece was factual, objective, or written from some “10,000-foot view.”
Both the Robles jumped into local political battles upon moving into a NEW construction home after relocating from the San Jose area about 6 years ago, so portraying himself as detached from the “mud slinging” is hard to take seriously.
What’s especially offensive is the repeated effort to dismiss the residents behind this recall as a “gang of failed politicians” or “developer puppets.” The recall committee has publicly identified itself (including myself), proving that narrative false.
The committee includes longtime residents, taxpayers, retirees, and community members from all political backgrounds, many of whom have never held office.
And yes, the recall is about the fire contract and public safety. That is clearly stated in the recall petition itself.
Residents watched county leadership approve an underfunded fire contract despite public opposition, warnings from firefighters, packed meetings, and repeated calls for transparency. People felt ignored, and that frustration sparked this recall.
Repeating the word “developers” does not turn fiction into fact.
The “slow growth” narrative also falls apart under scrutiny. Supervisor Velazquez supported a Housing Element planning for roughly 4,000 housing units, far above the state requirement of around 754. That is not “slow growth.”
Likewise, claims that the former council tried to expand city limits are misleading. A Sphere of Influence is NOT annexation. It does not rezone farmland, approve development, or automatically expand city boundaries. As former Mayor, Velazquez should know this, so he is either LYING or grossly misinformed.
The truth is simple: residents are tired of being dismissed, divided, and insulted whenever they raise legitimate concerns.
Apparently, in Mr. Robles’ view, anyone who disagrees with Ignacio Velazquez must be part of a conspiracy or controlled by developers. Or maybe voters are simply capable of thinking for themselves.
This recall has persisted because public safety matters, accountability matters, and residents are tired of political operatives labeling every disagreement as an imaginary developer plot.
The recall is not a scam.
The real disservice is smearing residents while ignoring the actual record. We deserve leadership that listens to the community, respects differing views, and understands the importance of public safety.
Please vote YES to Recall Supervisor Velazquez. It’s time for decency, honesty and integrity in San Benito County.
Could you be any more snide?
Prove your claims. You lie so much you dont even know the truth. Provide proof or face defimation suit.