Editorials

Last year, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB X2, which requires California’s utility districts to provide one-third of their total electricity from “renewable” sources by 2020. At the media event held for the signing of the more onerous Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) program, the Governor and the bill’s author, Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), spoke of how great this would be for California as a world leader.

As San Benito County and Hollister struggle with huge deficits and intractable long-term costs and debts that cannot be supported by revenues, it is time for the incumbents facing reelection - and those aspiring to their positions - to define the issues and explain details of their agendas.

For three years, Hollister has neglected to capitalize on its signature biker tradition and, without the annual rally, has missed out on a major opportunity for economic success.

While it appears as though former sheriff candidate and Hollister police Sgt. Ray Wood will receive a fair penalty of six months in jail for embezzling from the officers' union, it is also good to see that same union has addressed its lacking oversight on financial matters.

Police Capt. Carlos Reynoso's use of a taxpayer-funded patrol car for his daily commute to and from work – around 100 miles round trip – underscores that the city needs a policy requiring newly hired, sworn, public-safety personnel to live in or near Hollister.