We moved away from Hollister in early 2000 after spending 16
years there watching our children grow and move through the school
systems
– Southside, Fremont, Rancho and San Benito High.
For period of time there, a new year meant the installation of a
new traffic light or two. The uncontrolled growth of Hollister
required that the city expand on services in an attempt to stay up
with the interests of the residents, both old and new.
We moved away from Hollister in early 2000 after spending 16 years there watching our children grow and move through the school systems – Southside, Fremont, Rancho and San Benito High.
For period of time there, a new year meant the installation of a new traffic light or two. The uncontrolled growth of Hollister required that the city expand on services in an attempt to stay up with the interests of the residents, both old and new.
Now that budgets are cut and fundings dwindle from Sacramento, it appears that the layoffs that touch will affect many of the city-provided services. The choices here are indeed tough and to start at the top is refreshing. How many times do we hear of companies downsizing and reducing the rank and file while continuing to reward board members with higher bonuses. The same thought crossed my mind as I read this article.
Leadership, in my opinion, is overrated and a true leader prepares his people for that time when they are gone. To suggest cutting from the bottom and saving those on top resounds with a personal interest and without regard of where the true solution resides.
I commend the city manager for presenting his conclusions and suggestions. It is indeed a tough decision and those few on top might have to step down. Supervisors and managers below should be empowered to mitigate the threat to continuity and continue to provide services many have grown use to. Additionally, the layoff list will grow much larger to simply attack the problem at the bottom and work up.
My best to the city during these difficult times and the articles I have read from those affected touch me and point to a very close and supportive workforce. I now live in Northern California in the town of Lakeport in Lake County and looking over our one-stoplight town I see Hollister about 30 years ago when I first visited and it is quite refreshing. Good luck.
Sam Mason,
Lakeport
