Robert Ornelas has contributed much to the City of Hollister and
its residents.
As director of the Parks and Recreation division, his hard work,
organizational skills and leadership abilities are showcased all
over town.
Robert Ornelas has contributed much to the City of Hollister and its residents.
As director of the Parks and Recreation division, his hard work, organizational skills and leadership abilities are showcased all over town.
From softball games to the city pool, soccer and theater, Ornelas is a key player in helping Hollister residents compete, perform and relax in a healthy and organized manner.
Ornelas has also been a leader in the restoration and current operation of our beautiful Veterans Building, a jewel that helps distinguish our downtown from others.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, under Ornelas’ leadership, has been a viable force in the community, helping send numerous local students to a promising future through college scholarships.
If you have ever attended a Hispanic Chamber luncheon, it is filled with community leaders across the board, a tribute to the organization and its hard-working members.
Anyone who has met Ornelas in person has found a charismatic and professional manner, a nice guy in a people-oriented position of prominence.
So we were as disappointed as anyone when sexual harassment and civil rights charges were filed in a lawsuit against Ornelas and the City of Hollister.
What is most alarming is that it’s not the first time for Ornelas to be facing similar and serious allegations.
There is absolutely no room for error in how you treat your employees these days as anyone in a supervisory role should or does know.
There is no excuse whatsoever for anyone – regardless of sex, age, race or job status – to be harassed in any way. It’s not only a major violation of someone’s dignity, but it is against the law.
Ornelas must stand up and face these charges as serious ones. The second time around, despite the fact that anyone can file a civil suit, should be a wake-up call that maybe there is something wrong with his method of personal and professional behavior.
The City of Hollister must not take a position of sticking its collective head in the sand and hoping the controversy will die down and then go away.
If proved to be true, the city will be just as guilty as Ornelas for letting this type of behavior persist right under its nose.
Both Ornelas and the city will and should pay a hefty price if the allegations are proven.
But it won’t be as much as the victims will have already paid.
In the meantime, we must also remember a person is innocent until proven guilty.
