Hollister
– Candidates running for U.S. Congress, the state Assembly and
local water districts fielded questions and spouted opinions on the
war in Iraq, taxes, Indian casinos and Hollister’s odd tasting
water at an election forum Tuesday night.
Hollister – Candidates running for U.S. Congress, the state Assembly and local water districts fielded questions and spouted opinions on the war in Iraq, taxes, Indian casinos and Hollister’s odd tasting water at an election forum Tuesday night.
Assemblymember Simón Salinas, D-Salinas, spoke about legislation he’s introduced during his term in office that have addressed “real problems and real issues,” for county residents.
His opponent, Republican candidate Bob Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, briefly outlined his plan to bring jobs back to the state and prosperity to all Californians.
After their opening statements, questions were posed to the candidates about one of the hottest topics facing the county – casinos.
A casino resort is being proposed by the California Valley Miwok Tribe on a parcel of land along Highway 25 in San Benito County, near the Santa Clara County border.
“It’s really a bad deal if we’re making the decision because we need the money,” Perkins said. “We need to fix the problem at the top, not make bad decisions on a local level.”
Salinas said locating a casino on Highway 25 is the worst possible location, and adding thousands of employees who would need affordable housing would create serious issues in a county already plagued with affordable housing problems.
“Locals have the opportunity to weigh in, and the Governor has serious concerns if locals are not supportive,” Salinas said
Five candidates running for the 17th Congressional District, including Democratic incumbent Sam Farr, Republican candidate Mark Risley and three independent candidates garnered most of the spotlight.
