Letters to the Editor

Suggestions for code enforcement fixes
Code enforcement is a real concern of mine; for the most part,
it appears to be non-existent within the City of Hollister.
Government, aka the Code Enforcer, is REACTIVE, not PROACTIVE. So
until someone comes forward and reports a code violation, the City
does next to nothing. There’s that same old drone
– not enough money, not enough manpower. Well, I have a
suggestion…
Each weekday, the street sweeper driver is out operating his
vehicle, attempting to clean the streets along the curbsides. Well,
how about placing another individual in the cab to ride along and
take digital photos (date/time-stamped) of potential code
violations and note down the addresses. The sites could then be
notified in writing (create a form letter, but specify the
violation) that a potential/actual code violation exists and be
given a reasonable (i.e., 30-day) time limit in which to remedy the
violation.
The really vital piece of this suggestion is to perform the
follow-up
– another drive-by on the 30th day, armed with the digital
camera (date/time-stamped), to photograph each and every previously
identified violation. If the violation has not been remedied, the
property owner is sent a notice that a fine has been assessed for
the violation.
The fine is then added to the water/sewer/sweeper bill; a
stuffer would describe that a fine has been added to the monthly
bill. The recipient of the bill, whether owner or renter, would be
responsible for the payment of the fine; services would be subject
to disconnect for failure to pay the fine; if there is a
disconnect, a fee to restore service would then be charged.
The process would continue until all of the City has been
reviewed. And then the process would be repeated at a frequency to
be determined. I believe that this proactive enforcement process
would pay for itself. But in the event violators respond timely to
the issues, the City would be rid of eyesores.
While I have not really acquainted myself with what is or is not
a code violation, I have attached a list of what I feel are
violations. And the only reason I have listed just these specific
locations is that I am often on Fifth Street to visit my mother and
I live on San Benito Street.
I drive by these locations all the time and wonder how these
issues are allowed to persist.
I really wish I could be totally unconcerned but I just can’t
put these past me! They are literally a constant source of
frustration for me.
And, finally, I find it hard to believe that funding of street
sweeping is nearly in the red. I suggest you perform a review of
the City sweeper budget. Perhaps funds are being directed
elsewhere?
Jane Dabo Cruz
Hollister
Suggestions for code enforcement fixes

Code enforcement is a real concern of mine; for the most part, it appears to be non-existent within the City of Hollister. Government, aka the Code Enforcer, is REACTIVE, not PROACTIVE. So until someone comes forward and reports a code violation, the City does next to nothing. There’s that same old drone – not enough money, not enough manpower. Well, I have a suggestion…

Each weekday, the street sweeper driver is out operating his vehicle, attempting to clean the streets along the curbsides. Well, how about placing another individual in the cab to ride along and take digital photos (date/time-stamped) of potential code violations and note down the addresses. The sites could then be notified in writing (create a form letter, but specify the violation) that a potential/actual code violation exists and be given a reasonable (i.e., 30-day) time limit in which to remedy the violation. 

The really vital piece of this suggestion is to perform the follow-up – another drive-by on the 30th day, armed with the digital camera (date/time-stamped), to photograph each and every previously identified violation. If the violation has not been remedied, the property owner is sent a notice that a fine has been assessed for the violation. 

The fine is then added to the water/sewer/sweeper bill; a stuffer would describe that a fine has been added to the monthly bill. The recipient of the bill, whether owner or renter, would be responsible for the payment of the fine; services would be subject to disconnect for failure to pay the fine; if there is a disconnect, a fee to restore service would then be charged.

The process would continue until all of the City has been reviewed. And then the process would be repeated at a frequency to be determined.  I believe that this proactive enforcement process would pay for itself.  But in the event violators respond timely to the issues, the City would be rid of eyesores.

While I have not really acquainted myself with what is or is not a code violation, I have attached a list of what I feel are violations. And the only reason I have listed just these specific locations is that I am often on Fifth Street to visit my mother and I live on San Benito Street. 

I drive by these locations all the time and wonder how these issues are allowed to persist. 

I really wish I could be totally unconcerned but I just can’t put these past me! They are literally a constant source of frustration for me.

And, finally, I find it hard to believe that funding of street sweeping is nearly in the red. I suggest you perform a review of the City sweeper budget. Perhaps funds are being directed elsewhere?

Jane Dabo Cruz

 Hollister

Library contributes to the community

I am writing to express my appreciation to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors for their wisdom in deciding not to further reduce hours of operation at the San Benito County Free Library – at least for the present.

The library was closed in 1993 during a similar time of economic downturn, and the impact set library services behind for years. The irony in shutting down the library for economic reasons is this – the library’s return on investment is $2.64 for every dollar invested on its materials circulation alone, not to mention the added value of its many other services.

For our children, the library provides an avenue upon which they can build academic success through free access to materials and online resources. The library is a place for families to gather and grow stronger, whether this is as parents home schooling their children or as grandparents helping a third generation to develop literacy skills.

Adults use the library to study for their GED, apply for jobs, find information about social security benefits, take proctored tests and gain general financial information. Entrepreneurs find updated market and business information. The library is a port of entry for immigrants, a bridge into a new culture and language that assists them in succeeding in their new land.

The Library brings opportunities to all of us, free, credible and community-building. And as the sixth most economically stressed county in the nation, we cannot afford to close the library even one more hour. The consequences of diminished library resources and equality of access will indeed be devastating to our community.

Bea Gonzales-Ramirez

Hollister School District Board Member

A change is needed

I recently retired from teaching because I felt that the school district has engaged in practices that I believe undermine assisting children to become critical thinkers and successful learners. I am keenly aware that the central leadership of our school district lacks confidence in parents, teachers, staff and students.

The education of our students ought to depend on consistent practices that put learning first. Our curriculum should motivate and challenge students. In our schools, learning should be interesting and fun, assessments should help teachers improve teaching, and the academic needs of all students and student well-being should be our highest priority.

I believe that principals, teachers, staff and students at the schools should be partners in deciding what practices are best for students’ learning. I believe that all students are capable of learning. It is our job to determine the best strategies to meet students’ learning needs.

As a school board member, I would bring my experience as a teacher and as a parent of a third grade student at Sunnyslope School. I would readdress issues like classroom size, evaluate how educational policies are decided, work to protect resources at the school level, and work to ensure that our schools and teachers are prepared to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of our students. 

I would strongly urge the abandonment of practices such as over-emphasis on phonics, drill and skill instruction, memorization of disconnected facts, endless test preparation and the use of high-stakes tests that punish students and teachers. Instead of limiting instruction to reading, writing and math, I want students to also learn more about social sciences, history, science, art and physical education.

In short, I want to bring in common sense, good researched practices and meaningful education to our schools.

Joe Navarro

Hollister