There were more motorcycles parked on our block of South Street
this past July 4th Rally weekend than any year since the first
rally in 1997. The event appears to be growing based on that one
observation.
Editor,
There were more motorcycles parked on our block of South Street this past July 4th Rally weekend than any year since the first rally in 1997. The event appears to be growing based on that one observation.
I have mixed emotions about the rally. I find is somewhat annoying and at the same time entertaining. It is gaudy, loud, irritating, colorful and other adjectives. In my opinion, the positives outweigh the negatives. Hollister City Council should make every effort to capitalize on the event. It should be a four-day event in 2006.
Chief Miller is correct when he says he cannot guarantee the safety of the event. In the same breath, the Secret Service cannot guarantee the safety of the President of the United States. I recall when some bad guys tried to kill President Truman who was living in Blair House. When the shooting stopped, the bad guys were down, one or more inside the Presidential residence. There was only one Secret Service man left standing at the base of the stairs going up to the living quarters. That was too close.
I can understand Chief Miller not wanting anything to happen on his watch. By the same token, if the control is too tight, that in itself could cause trouble that would not have occurred with a little more latitude.
In the final analysis, policing the event is Chief Miller’s call.
Marvin L. Jones, Hollister
