Politics

Hollister Parks & Recreation has canceled its second consecutive summer of water programs, according to an employee of the department.

When it comes to paying off the $100 million-plus wastewater treatment plant, the City of Hollister gets an A-plus. And a recent upgrade leading to that credit rating could result in lower monthly rates on residents’ sewer bills.

Hollister council members Monday expressed disappointment at the continued tone from Gavilan College leaders who are reluctant to build an educational center downtown, and broached the possibility of approaching California State, Monterey Bay or another institution about opening a site here.

State Sen. Anthony Cannella this week joined Assemblyman Luis Alejo and the county board in requesting a parole denial for murderer and rapist Gustavo Marlow.

Although a contractor initially expected to do a downtown Hollister lane reconfiguration during the holiday shopping season, that work is now planned for sometime in mid-April, a city official said this week.

Gavilan College trustees discussed education center sites for San Benito County but took no action, as the item was slated for just discussion at the March 8 board meeting.

Hollister council members Monday learned that it will take an investment of more than $8 million annually for five years to bring local roads into good shape, while it will cost nearly $4 million to maintain their condition.

Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez recently announced he will attend a 10-day trip to China that is funded by a nonprofit Silicon Valley organization working to facilitate business connections.

In taking up a non-agendized issue Monday, Hollister council members violated the state open meetings law by straying off the scheduled topic and engaging in open discussions when the agenda merely mentioned receiving a presentation, according to the legal counsel for the state newspaper association.

District 4 Hollister Councilman Victor Gomez announced he will seek a third, four-year term.