Editorials

It is all but certain that the Hollister council will hire Bill Avera as permanent city manager. The longtime city planning official deserves a shot at showing he's the right person for the job, but the council should set a new standard and require Avera to pursue a public administration degree.

Hollister School District leaders are taking a refreshing approach toward convincing voters to support a $27 million school renovation bond.

Supervisor Anthony Botelho's statement Tuesday night to a packed crowd of residents opposing a proposed recycling park summed up the board's collective hypocrisy, along with officials' willingness to spout double talk about the environment and economics in making the case for such an arbitrary endeavor.

If proposed five or 10 years ago, the city's idea to add dozens of security cameras may have ruffled more civil-liberties feathers than it is now.

It was refreshing to hear about the county library finally moving in a positive direction when it comes to community access, and a group of organized library supporters deserves credit for bringing attention to the problem.

When the new county courthouse is ready for business, supervisors should set aside their political playbook and open the complex.

Despite potential conflicts of interest for the city's contracted attorney, Hollister-based L&G, the firm deserves the same chance as any other competitor to prove its objectivity and worthiness for the job.  

The Thanksgiving and Christmas meals put on by the Holte Holiday Dinners group are an institution in San Benito County. The annual dinners not only feed hundreds of needy residents each year, but they also provide a way for others to give back and for parents to teach their children the value of volunteerism.

There appears to be a new attitude at the city under Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, with several examples on display at last week's council meeting.