Richard Place: “I would like to see another motorcycle rally happen here. The biggest problem, of course, is being able to handle the law enforcement for the event. I don’t believe we need the over enforcement that we had during the last few events but with both our departments short handed from budget cuts, it would certainly be a problem just to plan and run the event. If we can go back to the old plan of putting all the bikes on San Benito Street and the vendors on the side street it would be more appealing to the public and better for crowd control. Maybe we can sell the old tee shirts to pay for the extra officers.”
Jae Eade: “The Hollister Biker rally should be resurrected next July 4th weekend. This event, managed by professional event management could bring over one million dollars net to the local economies and the county if we didn’t let law enforcement squander $350,000 on unnecessary tactics.”
Louise Ledesma: “If the Biker Rally could make money for the city, I’d be for it. That is a very BIG if. The bikes need to be on San Benito street and we shouldn’t allow Hell’s Angels to have a booth. I don’t like the noise and some of the bikers would not be a welcome influence to the city.”
Jim West: “Absolutely. Everything’s already in place. Hollister is nationally known as the birthplace of the American Biker. We don’t have to build an audience and Sheriff Hill is gone. All we have to do now is find someone smart enough and honest enough to make it work for Hollister. There are thousands of towns that would love to be in Hollister’s position.”
Ruth Erickson: “Yes! Let’s have another motorcycle rally, organized by locals with motorcycle rally knowledge, understanding, experience and enthusiasm. Let’s bring back en exciting, community-run rally like we used to have, bringing people from all over the world to enjoy Hollister, San Benito County and surrounding areas. Thanks to the Corbin family and company for keeping the ‘Birthplace of the American Biker’ spirit and rally alive and kicking at their annual Independence Day Rally at the Corbin complex in Hollister.”
Richard Herrera: “I am and I believe the majority of the community is as well. Officially or unofficially, let’s bring the motorcycle rally back to Hollister.”
Frankie Gallagher: “Absolutely! We need to bring back a tradition that should have never been cancelled in the first place. When it’s done correctly it can be a huge revenue generator for the community. There is opportunity for everyone to be involved and make money for their individual charities, businesses and organizations.”
Steve Staloch: “Yes. The demise of the rally was due in large part to overhyped security issues, a lack of professional marketing and competent event oversight. Most counties and communities would consider a legacy event like the biker rally a golden goose, especially in these economic times.”
Mary Zanger: “My desire for distraction, fun, entertainment, and interest in spite of the noise says, ‘Yes’. But because of the costly law enforcement and inability to collect taxes making a loss for the city my mind say, ‘No’. Alternatively the city may promote all local agriculture thru fairs and markets. Also because of hills and mountains, coastal wind funneling to the valley and abundant sunshine, it seems better for the city to promote places and factories for sustainable energy which creates jobs.”
