Letters

I'm a grant writer and project manager in affordable housing, generally in Monterey County, East Bay, or out-of-state. This February I went to Sacramento for an all-day workshop sponsored by the State Department of Housing and Community Development to explain their radically revised grant application regulations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. It was the first in a series held around the state. At 9 a.m., I looked at the table to the left of me, and there was Doug Emerson!  On his own time, he had volunteered to attend the workshop so that Hollister/San Benito/local non-profit staff could get a jump on finding out how to fill out the applications, instead of waiting three weeks later for the workshop in Salinas.  I consider this a typical example of his practical approach, unselfishness, and understanding of how to get things done.  He straightened out the mess with the state over the CDBG grant that prevented the City of Hollister for applying for funds for something like eight years. He's sensible, well prepared in his Council deliberations and has a proven track record in collaboration and partnership building.  I think he's exactly what we need for the brightest possible future for our community.

Dear Keith, It is a pleasure to know you and witness your compassion for the low income seniors and underserved families in Santa Clara and San Benito counties. 

Wasn’t sure who to vote for mayor of Hollister. Thought we needed someone young enough to be reelected each time.

Getting involved in the sales tax campaign was not an easy decision for me.  I knew it would be met with resistance, in these hard times, but still I felt I needed to do something to maintain at least the same level of service.  Honestly, for me it was just about not losing any more services; most notably public safety.  I wanted to at least ask the residents for another five years of an existing tax because I thought it would be good for us as a community.  I wanted to give you the choice to choose our path.  I felt like it wouldn't be too much to ask the voters to continue Measure T because there was so much more to be lost than just that one penny spent on the dollar that we have already been paying.

A week ago I saw that the city of Hollister was planning to have a local vendor preference of 5 percent in procurement. I am opposed. I contacted my city council member, and he informed me it had not passed yet, but a council meeting on 10/15 would have the final vote. I told him that speaking at a council meeting is very intimidating, and if one did not follow any protocol the city had, the speaker would be embarrassed by council members.

This is a letter of support for Keith Snow who is running for mayor of Hollister.

The lines are more sharply drawn in this election than at any time since the Civil War. And there are similarities between the two periods. In Civil War times the Republicans were the party of freedom for the individual and the Democrats were the party of slavery. Today, once again, the Republicans are the party of individual freedom and the Democrats are the party of an all-powerful central government trumping individual rights.

It will be Election Day shortly and Hollister residents will have to decide – shall we continue the current policy of running up enormous debt, spending every penny including millions in extra sales taxes every year, even running a deficit – or shall we use less than 20 percent of the Measure E money to invest in our economic future?  Yes, the choice is as simple as that.

Ignacio Velazquez is the right choice for Hollister mayor. His personal and business success add to his many characteristics that make him the roadway to a thriving Hollister economy. He understands that investing in our local economy is the answer to a balanced budget and staffing public safety. In fact, he has gained the support and endorsement of our Hollister Firefighters and supports our Public Safety. Ignacio is unafraid to stand up to adversity and make a stand for what is right. Velazquez opposes the Measure E tax and will tackle the difficult task of cleaning up the mismanagement of tax funds and poorly performing City management. Status quo in Hollister is unacceptable and Ignacio Velazquez is the breath of fresh air Hollister has been gasping for.