Letters to the Editor

Development: who pays?
Your article on the large increases in charges for sewage
service being proposed
 explained that the increases were needed to pay for the new
sewage treatment plant. It went on to say that we need the new
plant in order to lift the building moratorium and so permit new
development that Hollister so badly needs.
Just how does new development benefit existing residents,
especially when we have to pay so many of its costs?
  Sure we may get a few new stores, but new residential
development rarely pays the community for all the support it
requires. And many costs are indirect, such as more traffic and
overburdened police, schools and hospitals.
We ask the council and the supervisors to represent the
interests of all residents, not just those who do stand to benefit
from development.
Having said all this, I do not feel that we should curtail all
new building.
  Certainly, desirable industrial development, infrastructure
improvements, individual homes and other projects of obvious
benefit to our community should be allowed.  But our
officials should be very skeptical about benefits alleged for even
moderate scale development projects. 
John Blake
 
Hollister
Development: who pays?

Your article on the large increases in charges for sewage service being proposed explained that the increases were needed to pay for the new sewage treatment plant. It went on to say that we need the new plant in order to lift the building moratorium and so permit new development that Hollister so badly needs.

Just how does new development benefit existing residents, especially when we have to pay so many of its costs? Sure we may get a few new stores, but new residential development rarely pays the community for all the support it requires. And many costs are indirect, such as more traffic and overburdened police, schools and hospitals.

We ask the council and the supervisors to represent the interests of all residents, not just those who do stand to benefit from development.

Having said all this, I do not feel that we should curtail all new building. Certainly, desirable industrial development, infrastructure improvements, individual homes and other projects of obvious benefit to our community should be allowed. But our officials should be very skeptical about benefits alleged for even moderate scale development projects.

John Blake

Hollister

Support for Palestine

It was about 20 years ago when the Women-in-Black protest movement started.  It consisted of Palestine women in their black habits protesting the Israeli occupation of the Jordanian “west bank” territory.

It was about four years ago when the Hollister cell, Hollister-in-Black, first appeared.  For the last several months, Hollister-in-Black has moved from corner to corner throughout Hollister.

Last Friday, July 14, there was a single Hollister-in-Black individual back on the corner of San Benito Street and 4th Street.  This individual sported the green, white, black, and red Palestine flag.

The May 1 rally for illegal aliens sported mainly American flags with a few Mexican flags.  This may be the first demonstration with a Palestine flag in Hollister. 

Marvin L. Jones

Hollister

No ROTC? Unthinkable

Eliminating the NJROTC program from the San Benito High School curriculum is unthinkable.  This program of 80+ cadets is a active, positive presence in our community.

As grandparents of one of these cadets we have seen first hand the goal oriented, responsible and strong leadership qualities this program has instilled in each of them.  No better youth role models have we seen.

These cadets are marching toward a bright furture; please do not stop them in their tracks.

Edward & Mary Rocha

Hollister 

‘Inconvenient Truth’ a must-see

Last night I saw “Inconvenient Truth” at the new Premier Cinema. There were four adults at the 7 o’clock show.

I strongly urge our school administrators to show this riveting documentary on global warming to all students from junior high and up. As for the adults, get informed and go see it. It’s an eye opener.

Time is of the essence in combating this phenomenon. In our grandchildren’s lifetime, they may be faced with a world depicted so well in the movie “Water World.”

Fannie Curro

Hollister 

Condor meetings set

With all the recent press on the plight of the California Condor right here in our own backyard, there are undoubtedly a lot of questions and concerns raised from many angles.

I would like to encourage the communities surrounding Pinnacles National Monument to attend the town hall meetings scheduled this week in Hollister, Paicines, King City and Soledad so that we can relay the latest information about the local condors, but most importantly address community concerns. The ranching and hunting community has a long history of land stewardship and wildlife conservation that is essential for the success of any Condor Recovery efforts. In fact, hunting itself can serve as an important food source for condors as long as non-lead ammunition is used. Our partner, Ventana Wildlife Society, is working on establishing a coupon system for discounted or free non-lead ammunition for a trial period.  A similar voluntary program has been implemented in Arizona by their State Fish and Game Department, and has been very successful.

Please join us for a candid discussion. If you are unable to attend the meetings but wish to voice your input or concerns, we welcome individual appointments, an invitation to be present at an organizational meeting, or comments written directly to the park.

Denise Louie

Pinnacles National Monument

Meetings will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations: Tuesday, July 25 at Jefferson School, 221 Old Hernandez Road, Paicines; Wednesday, July 26 at King City Library, 402 Broadway, King City; Thursday, July 27 at San Benito County Library, 470 Fifth St., Hollister; and Monday, July 31 at Soledad High School’s Mission Room, 425 Gabilan Dr., Soledad

Support the rally

The Hollister City Council meeting on Monday, July 17, was surreal and felt like a bad TV awards show.  Citizen speakers were subjected to a two-minute warning beeper.  With this scenario in mind, I submit the following:

On behalf of the biker community in Hollister and San Benito County, I respectfully decline to accept this award for “The Most Inhospitable Town on the West Coast”.  I and my fellow bikers also decline to accept the “Nazi-like” attitude of our sheriff and police chief and the deplorable ways they and the CHP treated visitors to our unofficial rally.  I am confident when I say that local bikers and most business owners are embarrassed and ashamed of the public relations black-eye we were clobbered with.  This award is shameful and will never be accepted. The power of our people will be felt in the voting booth and our will to assemble freely will never be taken lightly again!  We are re-grouping and fortifying our forces and we vow to make the 60th Anniversary Rally in 2007 a true reflection of our biker community’s good will and hospitality.  We are truly sorry our 2006 visitors were harassed and treated so shabbily.  We are embarrassed for our town and we promise to do all that we can to insure this sort of atrocity never occurs again!  We promise to show our youth-based charities that we still care.  We pray the 2007 rally will be reflective of the generous hearts and wallets of the local bikers and our welcomed guest bikers.  It is with shame and resolve that we say never again will we be crippled by the biased will of local law enforcement.  We WILL come back and be better and stronger than ever!  Support our 2007 Hollister rally!!

Christy Howe

Hollister 

Don’t blame the dog

After being away from Hollister for almost five weeks, I decided to read the through the old Pinnacles that my husband had kept for me.

While I express my condolences to the Sutton family on the loss of their family cat and can understand their horror at it being attacked and killed, I feel some of the statements made are somewhat misguided and maybe cause by the media attack on the breed itself (pit bulls). One of the sweetest pit bulls in this town belongs to a homeless lady. I bet that dog never went to obedience school or the like. Her owner is a true leader and the dog follows suit.  I smile each time I see them walking along their daily route.

I have been in rescue for over eight years now and the most misunderstood breeds are  the pit bulls, German shepherds and rottweillers. They receive a bad rap.  It is never the dog’s fault but the owner’s. It is they who put the killer instinct into the dog. In fact, any dog can become a killer. Because the dog killed a cat it does not mean he is a killer. The dog does not want to be this way, but the owner instills it in him.

Another solution is to spay/neuter. It makes the dogs easier to handle, and less unwanted puppies are brought into this world. Sadly in some cultures neutering a dog is frowned upon, the dog is not macho anymore. I would like to see a law passed that every animal is altered

Vivian A. Kennedy

Hollister