Opinion

I first met Sam Farr in 2002 when I was the lead reporter for the now dead Pinnacle weekly, based in Hollister. I was doing a story on yet another election year for our elected representatives and wannabe representatives.

The City of Hollister is once again searching for a promoter for its signature Fourth of July motorcycle rally and each time that happens it means starting all over rather than improving on previous events. There has to be a fundamental reason the rally cannot sustain a good promoter, which is a key element for success. My review of the concept and implementation indicates that the city and rally supporters have not taken an in-depth business approach to the event.

Julie Morris: “The death penalty is expensive, fallible and unjust. Since 1978 thirteen executions have cost California taxpayers $4 billion, money siphoned from public safety and schools. We pay roughly $100 million annually for each of the 720 inmates on death row and it takes an average of 25 years to get from conviction to execution, delaying justice for victims' families. California can't afford the death penalty: it's much more cost effective to sentence dangerous criminals to life in prison without possibility of parole and start using taxpayer dollars on programs that benefit law abiding Californians.”

The rain and snow this year really helped our water supply and ended our local water restrictions, BUT… Groundwater: When California's reservoirs decline, many cities and farmers turn to another water source: vast aquifers underground. In drought years, groundwater supplies up to 60% of California's water....