Editorials

On one hand, the air quality district and Calfire deserve recognition for taking a proactive approach with controlled burns in rural areas, such as the one conducted this week about 20 miles from Hollister in the Salinas Valley. Their work with prescribed burns is important and necessary toward preventing major disasters in a wildfire-heavy region.

The fact that the Hollister School District paid a law firm specifically to find “deficiencies” in a charter school petition underscores the sharp lines drawn in a political battle against reform models and shows that local officials - despite glaring evidence it would likely spur academic success - are steadfast against changing a failed system.

Hollister voters have two monumental choices on next week's ballot.

The recent settlement over a blatant restriction against employees’ free-speech rights is embarrassing for the county, and it remains befuddling how such a policy could be enacted and carried out for so long.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Heather Alaina Carroll, whose body turned up early Saturday at a home in the 2100 block of Cerra Vista Drive after her suspected killer surrendered following a long standoff.

It is wise for government officials to use all the tools they can in the tool box when it comes to economic development, so Hollister Council members are on the right path in giving a bidding preference to local vendors that are interested in city contracts. They veered off that path of logic, however, in choosing to exclude businesses in San Benito County that are outside city limits.

Without a doubt, Hollister leaders have grossly mismanaged the budget and Measure T sales tax revenue since voters committed to the investment nearly five years ago. Despite those past transgressions - underscored by $500,000 in raises handed out immediately after its approval and a failure to wean off the city from needing the extra funds - voters would be penalizing themselves by opposing the Measure E extension on the Nov. 6 ballot.

As many voters did earlier this year, we supported electing an at-large mayor. In these financially calamitous times for Hollister – defined by lacking accountability, passive management, neglect of economic foresight and irresponsible deficit spending year after year after year – it was well past the point of desperately needing a true leader and a new direction.

While the Gilroy education community can celebrate the astonishing achievement of its second-year charter school, the news also lends itself to vast encouragement for Hollister.