This evening in downtown Hollister, it might feel like the summer of 2008 all over again.
Opponents of the Measure E sales tax extension hope so, at least. They organized what they’re calling a “500,000 T-shirt Rebellion” at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets – with the theme focusing on the city’s decision before the 2008 motorcycle rally to buy and sell official rally shirts. Measure E opponents say the city spent more than $500,000 – the amount was actually closer to $300,000 – in a move that ended up costing taxpayers about $100,000.
The event is set for 5:30 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. Measure E forum at Hollister City Hall sponsored by local business groups.
The No on Measure E campaign is using the failed T-shirt investment – when getting involved in the venture with the chamber of commerce, Hollister officials touted it as a way to help save city jobs – as an example of irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars from Measure T. Voters OK’d that five-year sales tax in 2007, and it is up for the extension as Measure E on the November ballot.
Measure E, a 1 percent sales tax, would extend the current 8.25 percent rate another five years and raise about $3.2 million annually toward city personnel costs and a general fund totaling around $14 million. Without it, Hollister officials have argued they would be forced into many layoffs, particularly in public safety departments. The sales tax opponents, though, contend that Hollister officials have proven they would spend the money irresponsibly, and that the ailing local economy would gain a boost from the lower rate.
They had planned to have a little fun with their organized event Wednesday evening, too, with plans to hold T-shirt races along clothes lines connected to the “Bridge to Nowhere” – what organizer Tod duBois referred to as the “green metal thing sticking out of the side of the parking garage.”
They also had planned to hand out coupons for free 2008 biker rally T-shirts. Those coupons aren’t actually redeemable for the more than 30,000 shirts remaining from the purchase of about 50,000 shirts and 5,000 hats. The city stores most of them – which are sold at Muenzer’s Cyclery and Sports Center and Suds Car Wash. City Manager Clint Quilter noted that officials require the shirts are priced at $10 to avoid merchant undercutting.
“We’re handing out T-shirts that basically ask people to give them to their city councilperson for their taxpayer-paid T-shirts,” said duBois, who acknowledged it may cause confusion and added that the official shirts he bought in 2008 were made in Haiti.
The point of the gathering, he said, is to raise public awareness about “economic dysfunction” in Hollister.
“The more time I spend on this, the more I’m convinced that the city being involved in economic development may really be a bad idea,” he said.
Councilman Ray Friend, a Measure E supporter, said he “fully agrees” opponents have a right to protest, and that he planned to attend the event and talk to people.
He did contend, however, that Measure E opponents were “digging up old stuff that the current management of the city really wasn’t involved in, as the council’s concerned.”
Two current council members, Doug Emerson and Pauline Valdivia, were among city officials at the time – along with Quilter – who supported the T-shirt venture. Emerson is running for mayor in November against Marty Richman, Keith Snow and Ignacio Velazquez.
“Yes, mistakes were made,” Friend said. “Yes, things were done incorrectly.”
He went on: “What happened is what happened. We need the money now.”
Although Friend argued the city has “cut everything to the bone,” he said there had been recent meetings with employees over possible concessions.
“We’re moving like Measure E is not going to win,” he said. “What are we going to do if that happens?”
