The Hollister Police Officer’s Association and the Hollister
Firefighters union have endorsed candidates Tony LoBue and Brad
Pike in the Hollister City Council election, citing their
experience, community activism and willingness to communicate,
according to union officials.
Hollister – The Hollister Police Officer’s Association and the Hollister Firefighters union have endorsed candidates Tony LoBue and Brad Pike in the Hollister City Council election, citing their experience, community activism and willingness to communicate, according to union officials.
LoBue’s desire to improve the community and his focus on public safety topped the list of reasons the Hollister Police Officer’s Association chose to endorse him again after endorsing him four years ago, said Sgt. Ray Wood, POA president.
“He has good ideas and gives a strength to the council, and we need to keep somebody there to maintain that strength for awhile,” Wood said. “He’s always been a supporter of public safety, and we think it should be mutual.”
LoBue’s willingness to communicate with firefighters on issues, whether he agrees with them or not, makes him an ideal candidate for council during the city’s financial struggles, said Charlie Bedolla, vice president of the Hollister International Association of Firefighters Union.
“He works with us,” Bedolla said. “He explains when what he’s doing so we can get a better understanding.”
LoBue believes both group’s support resulted from his impartial decision making over the years and because he’s been a staunch supporter of public safety.
“It’s a two-way street,” he said. “Most people trust police officers and firefighters for the most part. If you trust the police and firefighters then you should trust me.”
Pike, a Saratoga fire captain, began volunteering with the police department’s crime prevention division in 1993, and since then has devoted countless hours to improving the community, Wood said. His work in putting safety features on Highway 25 shows his commitment to promoting public safety and gave him an understanding of the local political process, he said.
“He’s a no-brainer,” Wood said. “We’ve had elected officials involved in Highway 25 for years and no one has got as much accomplished as Brad Pike. Brad made it a No. 1 issue, not only to himself but to the community.”
Bedolla said firefighters were impressed with Pike’s openness and his willingness to talk things through before making final decisions. Pike also understands “where we’re coming from” because he is a firefighter in Saratoga, he said.
“If there’s something that’s not going to work, he won’t give us a ‘no’ right off the bat – he’ll research things and explore other options with us,” Bedolla said. “He’s a union member and we support him for that, also.”
Pike said his focus is bringing revenue into the city to bring the departments up to minimum staffing levels. This focus has created a “very harmonious” relationship, he said.
“Their supporting me is a definite benefit,” Pike said. “I’m very honored they’ve given me their endorsement.”
The firefighters union chose not to endorse other candidates because they didn’t meet with them, Bedolla said.
Police officers also haven’t met with any other candidates and will not be holding another union meeting to discuss further endorsements this late in the campaign, Wood said.
The San Benito County Deputy Sheriff’s Association chose not to endorse any candidates because the issue hasn’t been discussed at any union meetings, said Sgt. Mike Rodrigues.
Fire and police unions endorsed Mayor Tony Bruscia four years ago, but chose not to endorse him this term.
Bruscia butted heads with firefighters earlier in the year when he accused them of abusing overtime and asked the council to consider eliminating the city department and instead contract with the California Department of Forestry.
Bruscia recently met with firefighters, and although Bedolla said most of the animosity dissipated through the communication, the meeting came too late for the union to consider endorsing him.
“There was stuff said in the past that we did not agree with – it was a whole miscommunication thing,” Bedolla said. “(Bruscia’s) intentions are good, but he has a lot of learning to do, as well as we do. We’ll see what happens in the next few years.”
Bruscia said even with the lines of communication open, some firefighters were offended by what he said and he knows they won’t forget quickly or easily.
“On the other hand, I think for the most part they understand where I was coming from,” he said. “But I was clear with (firefighters) that it’s important for the benefit of the city that we have a good working relationship. That’s what I want.”
Police officers also clashed with Bruscia when he suggested they re-negotiate their 3 percent at 50 retirement package, which would decrease their monetary compensation after retirement to save the city money.
“We’re not pleased with issues that revolved around the 3 percent at 50, but there are no hard feelings and we believe we could have communicated through it,” Wood said.
Bruscia has not met with the POA, and Wood said union members will not be convening again before the election to consider any more endorsements.
Bruscia said his decision to ask the officers to consider giving concessions was because the city desperately needed them to stay afloat financially.
“I certainly suspect the police officer’s association is concerned about my stance and I understand that,” he said. “It’s their job to fight for what’s best for their members.”
Although Bruscia said he’d rather have the unions’ support, he believes his re-election campaign will be decided on by voters, not endorsements.
“What it really depends on is do they feel you’re the right person for the job,” he said.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
