Editorials

The prospective Del Webb senior housing project at San Juan Oaks Golf Club would provide a multitude of benefits to the county's economy, and serves as an example of an ideal development for the good of business and government coffers.

Every day that goes by with minimum economic progress and uncoordinated actions among local business interests highlights the critical need for an economic steering committee - comprised of leaders from the private sector - which works with local governments and potential developers to create prosperity.

The mayor is right: Donating proceeds from the Measure E sales tax to local nonprofit organizations shouldn't be anywhere near the radar for Hollister City Council members. Council members at a recent meeting denied a resolution – inappropriately put forward by Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, who has ties to the organizations for which the donations were intended – in a 3-2 vote.

Before supervisors think about asking countywide taxpayers to fork over more of their hard-earned money in an attempt to help solve their deficit problems, the officials should examine prospects for a “catch-up tax” that would put the county's sales tax for unincorporated areas on par with that of Hollister.

The local transit agency's long-term budget plan is a fantasy wish list, so talk of creating a so-called “vehicle miles traveled tax” to fund its massive, self-created shortfall should be viewed from the same fictional perspective.

San Juan Bautista City Manager Roger Grimsley is wise to support lifting the ban against chain businesses, and he also happens to be the right man for the job of eliminating it.  The historic city tucked along the Highway 156 corridor established a ban in December 2002 as an urgency ordinance, while San Juan officials renewed it three times since then, with a minor adjustment in the latest version of the law allowing “formula” businesses only if they fulfill unmet needs among existing businesses.

An opportunity like Pinnacles National Park doesn't come along too often for such a relatively unknown, isolated county like ours, so local business and government leaders must get moving on a plan to claim the “gateway” title and develop strategies to gain the utmost economic benefits from the change.

Officials are on the right track with planning for a revived motorcycle rally by hiring a qualified event manager, drastically cutting the law enforcement budget and - perhaps most poignantly - putting those hogs back on the main drag.

It is extraordinarily sad to see the Muenzer's sporting goods shop close after 102 years in operation, as some family members continue on with the locksmith portion of the business.

The city's signature event and its best chance for renewed economic activity has been dormant over the past four years, so it is good to see city council members are showing serious interest in reviving a Hollister motorcycle rally in July 2013.