Opinion

On several holidays throughout recent years, the local Boy Scouts have put out those American flags lining San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. It has been a gracious showing of community support and patriotism. It has taught those Scouts the value of service and added another reminder for others to appreciate those who give back.

Panelists answered the following: Do you believe Americans have lost the appropriate sense of awareness for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks?

Panelists answered the following: Should states grant permits to acquire or carry guns in public for people who are legally or completely blind?

Regarding the Boy Scout flags that were stolen during the rally, Councilwoman Valdivia was right when she redirected their request elsewhere for assistance. The taxpayers should not be paying for this. However, the fact that nobody knows what to do with this small claim is somewhat disconcerting. The claim amount is really peanuts in the scheme of things. It should not even be an issue. Given the magnitude of the Biker Rally it is inevitable that more, and most likely larger, claims will follow in the years to come. For now it seems like Tyson, Howe, Velazquez, Corbin and friends could find the resources to reimburse the Scouts their $906 to replace the stolen flags. After that, the Rally Committee needs to have a process for handling these types of things and make that process known to the public. Hopefully the city and county are insulated against future liability and lawsuits arising from this event. I'm sure they did their homework.

After reading the letter to the editor written by Mr. Ken Johnson I felt compelled to put up an opposing point of view. Mr. Johnson does make several good points and I am sure from the outside it seems like a good idea to consolidate with HSD, but there are, what I believe, some serious flaws in his logic. The first of which is what does the Hollister School District have to offer San Benito High School to make it a good move for the district? They have been in dire financial straits for quite some time and are only now regaining a financial foothold, while the San Benito High School District has remained financially solvent, and has managed to keep a full program of courses and activities throughout the budget crisis. For districts to merge there needs to be something positive for both. Another reason that I think it is a bad idea is that there is a definite philosophical divide between what the HSD feels is important and what the SBHSD feels is important, and this is not necessarily a bad thing as the needs of high school students are drastically different than the needs of elementary and junior high students. It also creates issues with credentials, seniority and shifting of staff. Possessing a valid secondary single subject credential does not allow one to teach in an elementary setting and visa versa. His comment about what kind of school needs a principal and three vice principals is obviously one that does not understand the demands of the job. My wife being one of those AP's I can tell you that it is a full- and a half-time job. It's not just discipline – it's supervision at multiple school events, hosting parent meetings, being part of several committees and divisions, and being responsible for the success of all the students that are in that persons alphabet group.  

At the end of June, a controversial industrial solar project slated for development in Panoche Valley was cleared to move ahead by the 6th District Court of Appeals. The project and the court decision raise important questions not only for San Benito County but also for California at large.

Panelists answered the following question: Do you support military action against Syria following the chemical weapons attack near Damascus last week?

I am still a little dumbstruck over Monday night’s unanimous city council decision to sanction our motorcycle rally for 10 years. I had been praying for a five-year commitment but 10 years was more than I could fathom. I was sitting next to Mike Corbin when the ordinance passed and it couldn’t have been more appropriate. I turned to him and asked, “Did you ever think we would see this day?” He seemed to be as astounded as I was. We have been in the battle to promote, save, and then resurrect the Hollister Motorcycle Rally for 17 long years and it was a poignant moment for both of us. Mike Corbin of Corbin Motorcycle Seat fame was in the battle before I knew anything about the famed Hollister riots of 1947.