If it came to a vote today, three out of five Hollister City
Council members would vote to cancel the Independence Rally
Hollister – Three out of five Hollister City Council members would vote to cancel the Hollister Independence Rally if the matter came down to a vote now, however each said they’re willing to work with rally organizers in an attempt to find a middle ground.
Two reports this week cast a harsh light on the rally. The first came from Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller, who said he cannot guarantee adequate public safety staffing at future rallies.
The second was an economic impact study released Thursday that estimated nearly $400,000 in revenue to the city of Hollister as a result of the rally. However, several council members quickly dismissed the report, saying it was based solely on estimates and assumptions without any factual data. They now say the rally is more of a hindrance than a help to the city.
“HIRC hasn’t given us something concrete that supports their stake – that all this money comes in. You can’t do it on assumptions and estimates,” said Councilwoman Monica Johnson.
“My thing is risk versus gain,” said Councilman Brad Pike. “If we’re putting the community at risk for no gain, that’s not something I’m interested in.”
But Hollister Independence Rally Committee Acting President John Loyd said too many community groups, nonprofit organizations and businesses profit off the rally.
“Personally speaking, I wouldn’t want to be known as a council member who voted to kill the rally,” Loyd stated via e-mail. “Too many residents enjoy attending the rally, and too much money would be lost with the demise of the rally. Having this rally take place should be a no-brainer, yet it has turned into a huge political and financial debate. One hundred and twenty thousand (people) come into town and don’t spend money? Try to sell that one to the local residents.”
Councilmembers Monica Johnson and Doug Emerson, who would also vote to cancel the rally at this point, echoed Pike’s concerns regarding public safety and generated revenue.
However, Emerson made it clear he’s interested in hearing HIRC members’ side of things during a rally study session Monday night before any decisions are made.
“I’m not saying I’m going to do that (vote to cancel the rally),” Emerson said. “I’m going to be open-minded. I think we should explore other possibilities, also. It’s not always a case of black and white.”
While Mayor Pauline Valdivia did not return phone calls Friday, Councilman Robert Scattini was adamant about keeping the rally because he also believes a simple cancellation vote by the council won’t keep the motorcycles away. He said if a planned event that includes an organized police presence isn’t done, the fallout could be more than the city could handle.
“This is the motorcycle Mecca and they’re going to come,” Scattini said. “They’re going to come and the police will really have a problem. We can’t put roadblocks up and say the motorcyclists can’t come into town. We’d probably spend more city dollars on police if we don’t get help from outside agencies.”
Police Chief Miller, who was unavailable for comment Friday, said HIRC will most likely shoulder a $300,000 law enforcement bill this year, but due to increased concerns of a large-scale confrontation between outlaw motorcycle groups, more cops may be needed and that bill could rise substantially in future years.
Scattini also believes the rally is a money-maker for the city and subsidizes some downtown businesses’ sales, allowing them to remain open throughout the rest of the year.
Hollister Downtown Association Executive Director Brenda Weatherly agreed, saying that although the HDA hasn’t officially taken a stand on the issue, she believes canceling the rally would severely hurt local restaurants and bars that rake in big bucks over the weekend.
Biker landmark, Johnny’s Bar, pulls in several months worth of business in four days, said owner Charisse Tyson. She called the idea of canceling the rally “stupid,” not to mention dangerous.
“It would not matter, they’d come anyway. Then there’s going to be a bunch of angry people with nothing to do except drink and get mad,” Tyson said. She suggested spreading the rally out throughout Hollister – putting events at the airport, at Bolado Park and other areas in town so as not to further congest the downtown area.
Johnson was amenable to the idea of changing the rally’s location. She said one of her concerns is that even if the rally was canceled, the hordes of bikers would come anyway.
“It behooves HIRC to be looking at other alternatives to put the rally in other locations,” she said, adding that the downtown area becomes too compacted with the nearly 120,000 revelers over the three-day period.
But Loyd said there just aren’t other viable options within city limits, and even if there were people would overrun the downtown area because of the restaurants and bars.
“Hollister is the birthplace of the American Biker, not a field somewhere out in unincorporated San Benito County,” he stated. “I hope two council members step up and follow Councilmember Scattini’s leadership because he’s definitely right on this one. I believe that an unofficial rally over the Fourth of July weekend will be far more expensive and challenging for local law enforcement and the economy than one that is planned and implemented by HIRC.”
Members of the public may attend the City Council’s rally study session Monday, Oct. 10, to voice their concerns and opinions about the rally’s future. The session will be held at City Hall, located at 375 Fifth St., at 6pm.
