Doug Emerson, 68, is a two-term Hollister city councilman who is running in the first elected mayor’s race on Nov. 6.
After teaching for many years and moving into education administration, he is retired from the position of chief financial officer of East Union High School District.
As a councilman and mayoral candidate, he supports Measure E, the 1 percent sales tax extension.
“If Measure E passes, my priority is to maintain the level of service,” he said. “Others say they would put 50 percent to public safety, but right now 68 percent of the general fund goes to public safety.”
He said if the tax extension passes and some of the funds are redirected, it would leave a shortfall of $600,000, or five to six police officer positions.
“If it fails, then we go to the austerity plan,” he said.
On economic development, Emerson said he would start a conversation between the San Benito County Business Council, the Hollister Downtown Association, nonprofits, businesses, educational entities and other stakeholders to create a plan for economic development. He referred to the Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a collaborative that provides analysis and action on issues affecting that region’s economy and quality of life. He said he would not use Measure E money for economic development, but suggested using a $900,000 pot from the sale of city land for the Walgreens development project.
Emerson also said he would focus on the Hollister Municipal Airport taxiway renovation as a way to create more jobs in the community and that he wants to look into grants to get started on the downtown strategic plan.
On consolidation, Emerson said he would continue to work with the county to see if fire services can be combined.
“I don’t believe it would save money, but it would be more efficient,” he said.
He said he would not look at a law enforcement consolidation since a consultant already recommended against a merger, estimated to save more than $300,000, between the police department and sheriff’s office.
Emerson would support a special tax district, but said, “You’ve got to convince people that with the district, they will get increased services.”
He said attempts to approve a business improvement district downtown were unsuccessful.
“I would be an advocate for (a district for) parks and libraries,” he said.
A key to increasing values on the westside of Hollister is the Gateway project, Emerson said.
“If we beautify Fourth Street, the land values will increase,” he said.
He said he wants to talk with the developer who proposed a Denny’s in town to see if they can find a multiuse location that could include a mix of commercial and residential. Emerson focused on the possibilities of Community Development Block Grants to fund projects, but said they would need to find a place where 51 percent of residents served by a project are low to moderate income.
Emerson’s goal for infrastructure would be to maintain it.
“We have a new sewer plant,” he said. “We are in the process of working on water distribution.”
He said roads and streets will be difficult to maintain without the Redevelopment Agency, dissolved by the state.
As for development, he said commercial is key to generating sales tax. He said housing alone will not pay for itself.
“My campaign is based on a vision of leadership,” Emerson said. “You have five city council members who make decisions on things – no one with more power. But the mayor has to have a long-term vision for the community.”
