Hollister
– Organizers behind the new Hollister Motorcycle Rally Committee
want to be clear about one thing: They’ve got nothing to do with
the old, recently bankrupt rally organizers.
Hollister – Organizers behind the new Hollister Motorcycle Rally Committee want to be clear about one thing: They’ve got nothing to do with the old, recently bankrupt rally organizers.
“It’s a whole new ballgame,” said Mayor Robert Scattini.
According to Charisse Tyson, the new committee’s chairwoman, the selection committee recently chose promoter Horsepower Productions to run the event, and the full rally committee will vote on Tuesday to confirm the selection.
“This will be the first year it’s been run by a professional promoter, and that’s going to make a huge difference,” Tyson said.
She also said the new committee has become a fully-fledged nonprofit corporation, with bylaws and a board of directors. These directors were introduced last week at a City Council meeting; they include Vice Chairman Charlie Scott, who is a motorcycle enthusiast and former city councilman, as well as representatives from the Hollister Downtown Association and the San Benito Chamber of Commerce.
“This has been a real partnership with the city,” Tyson said.
This year, the City Council voted to cancel the event due to financial concerns, but some motorcyclists staged an unofficial invasion, one that took a toll on city coffers. Scattini, who voted against canceling the event, has called the unofficial rally “a disaster”; he said he put together the current committee to make sure the city and its businesses profit from the next rally.
The rally’s former organizers, the Hollister Independence Rally Committee, declared bankruptcy earlier this year, leaving more than $350,000 of unpaid bills, including $250,000 owed to the city for law enforcement expenses. The city recently filed suit against HIRC and its president David Ventura; according to City Attorney Stephanie Atigh, the city is asking for any assets that HIRC still maintains in compensation for the money owed.
Jerome Liebenberg owns Leather Etc. in San Jose; he said he’s been a vendor at the rally for the last 10 years, and that HIRC still owes him $1,900 for the deposit he paid for this year’s event.
“I have to wonder if (next year’s rally) is really going to happen,” Liebenberg said. When asked if he’d attend future rallies, he said, “Yes, but I’d be real leery. I don’t know; it just depends on who’s putting it on.”
Liebenberg said he hopes the rally will be organized by an experienced promoter, rather than “someone I’ve never heard of.”
Tyson acknowledged that some vendors might still have some reservations about participating again.
“I know there are some businesses that got burned by HIRC, and we’re sorry, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” she said.
However, Tyson said, she’s met a lot of vendors who are excited by the prospect of a new rally.
“They love it in Hollister, because they know that if it happens, people are going to come,” she said.
Tyson owns Johnny’s Bar and Grill, and she said her business has always benefited from the rally.
She added that anyone interested in volunteering should call (831) 637-3683 or just come see her at Johnny’s.
Anthony Ha covers local government at the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
