Politics

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez in a September meeting pushed to have other council members fire City Manager Bill Avera over two wastewater spills last summer into the San Benito River bed, according to a source familiar with the consideration.

Travel and training costs have escalated for some City of Hollister departments in recent budgets. During the current fiscal year’s first five and a half months, those expenses totaled $56,288, according to documents obtained by the Free Lance.

Sonny Flores to oppose two-term Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz in

For the first time in 30 years, San Benito County may be ineligible to apply for the federal community development block grant due to changes in the requirements by the state, which administers the grants. This year, the state implemented a rule that counties or cities that have received a grant in 2012-13 will not be eligible to apply for an additional grant in 2013-14 unless they have spent and completed 50 percent of the current year's grant before the notice of application is released.

“I’m not looking to do this to become a politician,” Fernandez said. “If I win, that’ll be great. I will do the best that I can for the city and for its citizens.”

The City of Hollister wants the state to reconsider the sound wall placed along the bypass near the Highway 25 intersection with San Felipe Road.

HOLLISTER

Hollister