Motorcyclists Don’t Want to Take Over the Town
Motorcyclists Don’t Want to Take Over the Town
Editor,
I have been following all the Hollister Rally news, both the articles as well as the letters and there are two questions that I think need to be answered:
First, did Chief Miller give specific instructions to the police officers who were working over that weekend? The officers, no matter who they “belonged to” were working for the City of Hollister. The chief had the responsibility to instruct them on how he wanted them to carry out their duties. If no instruction was given and they were left to enforce laws as they saw fit, then I would say there was a big open spot in terms of liability for the city in addition to poor community relations for the Hollister PD. The chief said in past articles that he needed to be prepared to address all the rumors he had heard about what was going to happen over the weekend. Doing some intelligence gathering beforehand would have confirmed or unfounded many of those rumors before the rally started.
Second, why are the CHP statistics so secret? The CHP should be able to provide accurate data on the number of citations and the violations issued. I think that if they do, there will be the same demographic pattern as was reported in the paper several days ago. I personally saw CHP write many tickets for missing front license plates and also saw a Hollister PD officer take no action when a vehicle almost hit two pedestrians who had the right of way in a crosswalk.
Hopefully some good will come out of this and next year’s rally will be well organized. After all, the city had an offer from a professional rally promoter to not only cover all the operating costs, but to give the city a check (profit) as well. That’s an offer that’s hard to refuse as it seems the city management does not have the resources to make this event a success. The motorcycle crowd does not want to get a foothold in our town, they just want to bring lots of money and spend it here. What’s wrong with that?
Tony Weir
Hollister
Treat the Workers Right
Editor,
If we really don’t need workers from Mexico, then why are most of them actively employed? There seems to be a need if employers are hiring them. If the employers are not following the law they should be held responsible. If we do need the workers, treat them right, provide them with a living wage, benefits and driver’s licenses.
Marian Cruz,
Hollister
Birthday Party Worthy of an Original Top Hatter
Editor,
Remembering. Shh shh shh! As small children, this is what we would hear when we had to be quiet. Then all the more, that made us want to make more noise!
On July 8 at the Eagles Lodge near the Hollister Airport, celebrating Jess Bravo’s 85th birthday, we made all the noise we wanted. It was a sea of Bravos! The phrases: “Who is that? I don’t remember him or her. What part of the family are you from? Man he looks good! I wonder who’s older him or me? Can’t remember his name. Oh no wonder, he lost some weight!”
Some of us looked younger, some not so young. Tattoos, belly buttons, low blouses, long hair, nice beards. It was fun. Nice music from the ’40s. Everyone at the party was clean cut, and it was great to be one of the young ones (82) in attendance.
Looking straight out at all the people sitting, walking, or talking to each other. Dancing, all having a good time. I then visualized us all of us being little children again and the words that were missing were QUIET! Go out and play and don’t make so much noise!
Hooray for Jess Bravo, 85 years young. Founder of the TOP HATTERS Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club .
As the TOP HATTERS left from the parking lot after the party, the bikes were a beautiful sight and then IT WAS QUIET.
Anthony Bravo,
Aromas
Apology to Visitors
Editor,
Let me first start off by apologizing to every visitor who came to Hollister during the Fourth of July weekend. As a longtime resident of this community, I sincerely apologize for the harsh behavior of the law enforcement officers who stalked the streets of our town during the holiday weekend. It was an embarrassment to our community.
Next, to whoever was responsible for the invasion of these pompous and arrogant police officers, you should be fired. Honest citizens were harassed and intimidated by their aggressive behavior, not to mention those people who were cited for ridiculous infractions. You succeeded in frightening the major population of Hollister from entering the downtown during the holiday weekend to shop, dine and run errands. What a pathetic demonstration of administration. Two helicopters, officers on horseback, gangs of officers marching the streets. Was this really necessary?
Esther Yamano,
Hollister
Is One Tragic Death More Important Than Another?
Editor,
This letter is about the article called, “Suspects Sought In Murder Of Local Teen.” If it weren’t for the fact that I went to school with Daniel (Danny) Gallegos, I wouldn’t know anything about him from reading that article. All that is mentioned about him is his name and age.
The article then goes on to talk about what exactly happened. The word “gang” is used in the (short) article nine times, and then ends in a nice set of quotes on whether or not the murder was “gang related.”
Why does it matter so much that the murder was/wasn’t gang related? So you can put one more mark on your checklist for gang-related murders? So that next year you can use this kid as an example as what your going to “combat” if the people of Hollister would only elect you as mayor? Your “crusade” against gang violence has gone nowhere, and to point out that this may be gang related does not make you look much better. Yeah, I’m looking at you SBC.
When the tragic death of Chris Grey happened, I’m pretty sure that the day after he had a full color photo on the front page, interviews from friends, a synopsis of his whole life; but because Danny Gallegos has a Hispanic name, and possibly has ties to a gang, I see NOTHING.
Nothing but talking heads telling me about the gang problem and how it’s a big mess. Until I see some follow-up article about who Danny really was, I will not be reading the Free Lance. I suggest anyone else that has a sense of compassion, and a sense of genuine caring for a friend of mine, and probably a friend of yours.
Cody “Sunshine” Martin,
Hollister
