Guest view: County must keep standing up to bullies
We know by now that most adults who’ve refused the Covid-19 vaccine will not be budged, no matter what they’re told by science and common sense. They’ve chosen this as their line in the sand—or, for a more apt metaphor, their hill to die...
Guest view: Regional Park is a sign of progress
San Benito County supervisors have tackled many profound challenges in the past year and a half since I joined the board with other first-term colleagues.
Some of those immense undertakings include boldly responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, assisting businesses and nonprofits through the pandemic with...
Guest view: Water softeners, a hard problem
Water softeners reduce the “hardness” of the water in your household, which can have several benefits for consumers. Less soap and detergents are needed for laundry and cleaning. There is less staining, spotting and scaling on appliances. Clothes last longer and there are energy...
Guest view: Amah Mutsun oppose building on Betabel land
For our tribe, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, Betabel is much, much more than a vacant lot conveniently located by a Highway 101 offramp. Positioned at the confluence of the San Benito and Pajaro Rivers, where earthquake faults also meet, the Betabel area is a place of power where, for countless generations, our people came together for healing and renewal.
Guest view: Feds must fully fund San Justo cleanup
As I noted at the San Benito County Board meeting June 14, the discussion about San Justo Reservoir’s longstanding closure has been one of the worst broken records imaginable for local residents.
That stale melody on repeat among political entities—ranging from the county to Congress—has...
Guest view: Helping our children learn through the pandemic
Starting March 13, 2020, the educational world that we knew in the Hollister School District changed forever. Our Superintendent, Diego Ochoa, and our staff at both the district and site levels worked all through the weekend to get food packets and learning materials put...
Opinion: Control the future of your county
Measure Q gives San Benito voters the power to stop outside developers from ruining your county. I’ve seen many rural counties get run over by developers who convince local government officials to change their zoning: The developers come in, build, sell and take their...
Guest view: Water district offers fall landscape tips
Autumn is here and your garden does not need as much water in October as it does in July.
Lawns require watering a maximum of three times per week in the hot summer months and one or two times per week in the spring and...
Guest view: Time to remove police from schools
There comes a time when each of us comes to terms with aspects of life that can change our views and challenge long held beliefs. For me it is the present issue of police in schools (school resource officers).
Guest view: County road projects to improve commuter safety
This year, San Benito County is focused on repaving some of the most traveled commuter routes with a focus on safety.
Of course, the list of rural San Benito County roads needing repairs is seemingly endless due to decades of deferred improvements. The vast majority...

















