I recently moved back to Hollister after six years and am
following closely all the drama regarding the budget and pending
layoffs.
I did not have to be a psychic to see what was coming, but even
I cannot believe the extent of the situation. It borders on
criminal. The so-called leaders of Hollister took the developer’s
money and ran. Now we are facing massive layoffs, a total building
ban, sewage problems, unsafe roads, gang-related crime and no
cohesive plan on how to tackle these problems.
I recently moved back to Hollister after six years and am following closely all the drama regarding the budget and pending layoffs.
I did not have to be a psychic to see what was coming, but even I cannot believe the extent of the situation. It borders on criminal. The so-called leaders of Hollister took the developer’s money and ran. Now we are facing massive layoffs, a total building ban, sewage problems, unsafe roads, gang-related crime and no cohesive plan on how to tackle these problems.
I congratulate the Free Lance for bringing the truth out, even though it is painful to read.
When I lived here previously, Hollister was known throughout the country as the fastest growing city in California. It was something to be proud of, but even then, the danger signs were there. The biggest joke was, and continues to be, the useless parking garage. Why would anyone need to park in a garage when there are plenty of spaces downtown?
For six years, I tried to defend this white elephant, hoping the city would find some use for it. It has made us a laughing stock for years. Why not tear it down? It has no use! It will always symbolize the era of greed and incompetence if it remains standing.
Remember the purchase of the hook and ladder fire truck, equipped to fight fires in skyscrapers, which Hollister has none? Remember the high-tech surveillance van, more suited for large cities, purchased without proper approval?
The developers ran unchecked through little unsophisticated Hollister and now we are on the brink of financial disaster. We have developers suing the city, we have dissension and we are near bankruptcy. Everyone is crying now, but when will we learn from the past mistakes?
People, remember all this when it is time to vote. Even the former governor of California was not immune to being bounced out by the citizens!
Joaquin Casareno,
Hollister
