Editorials

It was no surprise that a fact-finding panel recently ruled in favor of the Hollister School District, which had come to impasse in talks with the classified bargaining unit representing about 200 employees, and now it is in the union’s hands to do the right thing and accept the brunt of this reasonable offer from administrators.

In the spirit of the holiday season, we wanted to take some time to recognize people and organizations that have helped to brighten the lives of others in the community. As we enter another new year, the following deserve a thumbs up for contributions to San Benito County and its people.

Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella is replaceable.

Considering a modest, maximum savings of $316,000 annually and the likely benefits of having one cohesive law enforcement agency, Hollister officials should lead the charge in getting the city and county to agree on consolidation of the police and sheriff's departments.

Although there were a few glitches along the way with the county’s transition to using Santa Cruz 9-1-1 for dispatch services, there is no reason for alarm.

San Benito County supervisors last week made a logical decision when they decided to forgo an amended Williamson Act program because it would have been a waste of time to move forward when the vast majority of involved property owners have no interest.

Councilman Robert Scattini may have been the wrong person to criticize the police department for allowing a captain to commute 90 miles round trip each day in a squad car on the city's dime - because Scattini's use of a county vehicle during his 22-year tenure as marshal allows defenders of the expense to cloud the debate - but he was right in pointing out the unfair perk.

A majority of Hollister council members were out of touch with the community's priorities when they approved a completely irrational set of new traffic impact fees that stand to send an anti-business message to prospective developers.

Significant local news events of the day have pushed the Gavilan College president's whopping $42,000 salary increase off the front page. But it shouldn't be ignored.