As the debate over the costs and the benefits of the Hollister
Independence Rally rages on, we have a suggestion: The city of
Hollister needs to play a large role in remaking the event so it
works for the city and still benefits the community.
As the debate over the costs and the benefits of the Hollister Independence Rally rages on, we have a suggestion: The city of Hollister needs to play a large role in remaking the event so it works for the city and still benefits the community.
There are significant obstacles to overcome. Most recently, Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller told the city that the rally is incredibly costly to patrol and he cannot guarantee adequate safety because of the presence of outlaw biker gangs. Then, the Hollister Independence Rally Committee produced a poorly-executed economic report that raised the skepticism of the City Council. Finally, a majority of city council members said they would vote to cancel the event, though they are willing to try to find solutions.
When it comes to the rally – Hollister’s premiere event – the city must have more than opinions; it must have ownership. The city should approach the rally with the assumption it is going to keep it and then take their role as community leaders and managers of our tax dollars seriously. The City Council and city staff need to set the rally on a course that will correct the problems that continue to call it into question.
We have some suggestions:
Get involved in HIRC by placing council members and city staff on the board
Establish a set of goals, from security to cleanup, that the event must meet every year
Revamp HIRC and create professional standards for the organization. Write a job description for the executive director with a set of goals and ensure they are met
Ask the Hollister Police Department and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department how they can manage the event, and don’t allow cancellation to be an option
Form a citizen’s Blue Ribbon Task Force to look at all aspects of the rally – from where it is held, to the weekend it happens on, to strategies to ensure vendors are accurately reporting sales – and make recommendations on how to overhaul the event to make it work for the community
If this event is going to work – and we think that it must because there is no doubt that, properly orchestrated, the rally is a economic gold mine for all of San Benito County – the city must get heavily involved and lend its support and expertise to making it a success.
All the pieces are in place to make the rally our marquee event. We have folklore, we have thousands of people coming every year and the celebration of Harleys, chrome and the American spirit is an irresistible theme. But we must do it right so we all can see some benefit, and, of course, have a good time.
