A look back at 2007 through the words of the people of San
Benito County
It was a quiet year in San Benito County.
There were a few issues which caught our attention
– a year after rejecting a 1 percent sales tax increase,
Hollister voters had a change of heart and in November, passed
Measure T. We scuffled a bit over mosquito abatement, a ban on lead
ammunition and coyotes, but for the most part, 2007 was relatively,
well, quiet.
A look back at 2007 through the words of the people of San Benito County
It was a quiet year in San Benito County.
There were a few issues which caught our attention – a year after rejecting a 1 percent sales tax increase, Hollister voters had a change of heart and in November, passed Measure T. We scuffled a bit over mosquito abatement, a ban on lead ammunition and coyotes, but for the most part, 2007 was relatively, well, quiet.
Instead, local residents appear to be looking towards the future. With the city’s building moratorium due to end in 2008, everyone from educators to realtors are hoping for a resurgence in the county’s housing market; developers are ready to bring in new homes and businesses.
The one thing we can count on, however, is that no matter how peaceful a year it is, people in this county always have plenty to say. Rather than look back on this year’s issues, or lack of them, we’ve decided to take a second glance at some of the more memorable quotes that graced the pages of the Weekend Pinnacle the past year. So sit back, raise a glass, and say goodbye to 2007 and hello to another year in San Benito County.
A wordy winter
“My husband and I want to thank you for bringing Bob Valenzuela back to the pages of The Pinnacle!” Julia Thibodeau, Online reader, Jan. 5.
“There is no permanent solution for them. They breed and there are more.” Pat DeRose, proprietor of DeRose Vineyards, on the county’s feral pig problem, Jan. 5.
“What a refreshing feeling to have Bob Valenzuela back. He has been so missed since he moved to Hollywood but thankfully he hasn’t forgotten us here in our fair city.” Barbara Bailey Valdez, Hollister, Jan. 12.
“Burglaries with a low potential of solvability we’ll probably have to have people come to us, but we’ll certainly still respond to burglaries in progress.” Capt. Rich Vasquez of the Hollister Police Department, on how the police were handling the increase in home burglaries in Hollister, Feb. 2.
“He’ll be like one of those Silicon Valley geeks. He’ll get married, but he’ll be the type who doesn’t want to go to the company Christmas party.” Victoria Coronado, mother of Nathan, 4, who was diagnosed with autism in 2006, Feb. 9.
“It was so hard telling Dad how he used to be.” Erica Valencia, 16, about helping her father, Leonard Valencia, recover from a near-fatal heart attack Leonard suffered in April, 2006, Feb. 16.
“I guess Mr. Bagley doesn’t hang with many scientists. The concept of global warming is neither a liberal or conservative one, it is a SCIENTIFIC one. What to do about it is POLITICAL. Let’s keep the distinction clear.” David Reikowski, Paicines, Feb. 23.
“The milk prices we’re getting now are the same as they were in 1978, but the costs of operating the dairy are not the same. That makes it hard.” Lea Pereira, one of the owners of Pereira Dairy in San Benito County. The Pereiras recently sold off the majority of their cows, nearly 200, to dairymen out of the area, Feb. 23.
“I said, ‘Dad, if you can’t go to Daytona, then we’ll bring it to you.'” Joe Cousins, San Juan Bautista resident who has transformed his home into a NASCAR shrine for his father, Jack, who was too ill from the effects of cancer to attend what would have been his first Daytona 500 event, March 2.
“There was a mountain of trash over there. The trash pile was as big as my classroom.” San Benito High School teacher Jim Ostdick, regarding the amount of trash his students pulled out of the San Benito River bed during a clean-up event in March, 2007, March 9.
“The bypass really opens the possibility for a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.” Brenda Weatherly, executive director for the Hollister Downtown Association, on how the new Hwy. 25 bypass will improve conditions downtown for both pedestrians and commuters, March 16.
An expressive spring
“The biggest problem is getting people out [to the farmers’ market]. You need people in order to have a successful summer market.” Dick Swank, owner of Swank Farms, on why the Hollister farmers’ market is struggling, April 13.
“I’m living out a childhood dream.” Richard Kaiten, on why he serves as a volunteer firefighter with the San Juan Bautista all-volunteer fire department, April 27.
“I was very, very shocked when I first heard the news. I actually had tears in my eyes when I found out.” Max Sparrer, Hollister resident, who was named to the Los Gatos High School athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for his 1962 record-breaking sports season, May 11.
“People are literally walking away from homes they bought three years ago, because they can’t afford to make the payments.” Greg Dolan, owner of Shamrock Lending, on the rising foreclosure rate in San Benito County, May 18.
“Our supervisors are willing to sacrifice a portion of our county in order to create a new revenue stream. Will taxes for ticks and fleas be far behind?” Marvin Jones, Hollister, on mosquito abatement May 18.
“We are not treated like delicate little flowers anymore. I almost wish it was tackle football.” Michelle Vargas, one of several Tres Pinos School students who participated in a girls’ flag football team last year started by Aromas students Stephanie Jones and Lauren Bellone, May 18.
“Building the largest hotel in San Benito County in a residentially-zoned lot completely surrounded by single-family homes and our kids’ bike path to school is wrong, wrong, wrong!” Tres Pinos resident Jaime Frusetta, voicing her objections to a proposed 44-room hotel near her home, May 18.
“Why wait until we have to ‘Get a fly swatter?’ That’s being ‘reactive.’ Like closing the barn door after the horses have gotten out.” Kriss Costa, Hollister, on mosquito abatement May 18.
“It’s different in San Benito County than how it used to be. We were an agricultural county. It was ranches and horses, and it’s changed so much, because everything changes.” Carmen Vieira, who along with her husband, Dick, has worked as a ranch hand in San Benito County for almost 60 years, June 15.
“The coyote is not the nice little dog that Mr. Paxton (June 15 article) would like you to believe.” Charles McCullough, Hollister, June 22.
“When Antonio is in the ring boxing, he gets a look in his eyes like he is out there to kill those kids.” Sergio Jacquez, coach for 16-year old Hollister boxer Tony Corrales, June 22.
“When you put your heart and soul into the land, you want to work that land and soil to your best abilities.” Mari Rossi, Hollister resident. Rossi and her husband, Jim, operate the third generation B&R Farms, known for its apricot products, June 29.
A talkative summer
“I fell in love with the community and I couldn’t stand to see it destroyed so I’ve done what I can to preserve it. People are under the myth that if you don’t grow, you’re not progressing, that’s just not true.” San Juan Bautista resident Rebecca McGovern, on her desire to protect the city’s historical heritage. McGovern died in November, July 6.
“I’m really close right now (to being called up to the Majors), but it doesn’t feel that close.” Daniel Barone, Hollister resident, just four weeks before being called to the show by the Florida Marlins, July 6.
“My motto to my guys is one store and one person at a time. Once we get Santa Clara County under our belts, we’re going to be key players in this game.” Tony Castro, a Hollister resident who created and now markets Halftime Energy Drink, July 27.
“It seems to be what we’ve heard from the community, is that people are concerned for education, law enforcement and gangs and these are the same concerns shared by everyone.” Activist David Huboi, who worked on the Measure T campaign. The one-percent sales tax increase measure was approved by voters in November, Aug. 17.
“This is my daughter.” Randy Villa, a Hollister resident, about his 6-year old daughter Elizabeth. Randy and wife Susan adopted Elizabeth almost three years ago through the Kinship Center, Sept. 7.
“It bothers me that the government has more equal property rights – than a private individual.” Hollister resident Mark Dickson, regarding his concern over the impact a new Gavilan College campus would have on the wildlife in the proposed development area, Sept. 14.
“Even if you are tired, you have to feed your pig. If you have to slap yourself, put cold water on your face, you do it. You do whatever you have to, to get yourself out there.” Brian Tobias, 12, on raising a pig for the San Benito County Fair, Sept. 21.
“When you are not in a metropolitan area, there just isn’t as much knowledge. There are no plastic surgeons.” Hollister resident Jamie Inman. Inman was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and again in 2005, and discovered smaller areas such as San Benito County do not offer as many reconstructive options for cancer patients as larger cities, Sept. 28.
An effusive fall
“It put a lot of stress on our relationship. We would blame ourselves, and then we would blame each other.” Mike Schaal, who, along with wife Christine, welcomed daughter Olivia into their Hollister home in July. The Schaals, both cancer survivors, used fertility treatments to conceive their daughter, Oct. 12.
“I like to liken him to the big money people who helped develop San Francisco.” Earlene McCabe, a docent with the San Benito County Historical Museum, about William Welles Hollister and his accomplishments after leaving San Benito County, Oct. 19.
“I used to work all day, all night, for food only. Nobody had shoes. You’re lucky if you have shoes though.” Nawuth Keat, owner of Java Bagels, on life in his native Cambodia, Nov. 16.
“I think the public realized that the need is there.” Hollister City Council member Doug Emerson, on the passage of Measure T, Nov. 16.
“I remember this one little boy who was so happy because he had a pair of socks in his bag, and they were his first pair of socks.” Small Steps co-founder Mary Hubbell, who was named San Benito County’s best volunteer in the Pinnacle Best Of awards, Nov. 30.
“It’s amazing what people give. I don’t know if it is the holiday spirit or what, but they just go nuts.” KEZR radio personality Bill Kelly. The station’s Bill and Marla morning show helped raise about $2,000 for a Hollister family who lost their home in a fire in November, Dec. 7.
“I really didn’t want to go. It was pride, fear, but I was welcome and you could tell.” Robert Gaxiola, who spent time in the San Benito County Homeless Shelter last year while working to get his life back on track, Dec. 12.
