HOLLISTER
– Still without a contract approval for 2004, the Hollister City
Council on Monday, facing a packed City Hall Chambers, verbally
committed support for the motorcycle rally and gave a
”
green light
”
for organizers to move ahead with planning.
HOLLISTER – Still without a contract approval for 2004, the Hollister City Council on Monday, facing a packed City Hall Chambers, verbally committed support for the motorcycle rally and gave a “green light” for organizers to move ahead with planning.
As expected, the Council put off a decision on a contract between the city and the Hollister Independence Rally Committee. But it approved a resolution – “went out on a limb,” as Mayor Tony Bruscia put it – that allows HIRC and businesses to plan for, and expect, a rally in 2004.
Regardless, as officials pointed out after the meeting, it’s not a done deal. And even though it would be difficult, politically, to fundamentally cancel the rally after taking such a stand, there’s still no guarantee.
“The reality is – that it’s still a possibility,” Bruscia said, when asked whether the Council could deny a new contract with HIRC in the coming weeks.
City Manager Dale Shaddox, who made clear the resolution doesn’t guarantee a contract, said “absolutely” there is still a chance the rally contract could be canceled.
More than 20 community members spoke in front of a packed house at Monday’s Hollister City Council meeting in regards to the Hollister Independence Rally’s future.
Not a single person spoke against the rally’s continuance.
“This is not just on the Fourth of July. This is something where these people come into town … and they continue to drive through here year-round,” said resident Robert Gatto. “What else do we have here in Hollister? We’ve got nothing.”
After hearing public comment, Bruscia suggested the resolution. Councilman Tony LoBue made the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Brian Conroy and then unanimously approved.
Before that happened, though, Council members looked on as residents, many fervently, spoke in favor of the rally. While not one resident showed up and spoke against it.
Among those represented were motorcycle clubs, corporate leaders, nonprofit organizations, restaurant owners and HIRC, among others.
Many residents brought up tourist dollars. Some blasted city officials. Everyone pleaded that a solution must be found.
And quickly.
“It’s crunch time for us,” said HIRC President Bill Rodgers, regarding the group’s tight timeline to organize the July 2 through 4 scheduled event.
The Council’s actions set the stage for a conclusion to the contentious issue at a special Council meeting March 29. Officials agreed – that’s likely the day of reckoning.
Meanwhile, prospects for continuance of the 7-year-old event seem brighter than they did three weeks ago – even though the core challenges remain.
Hollister still needs to obtain 40 outside law enforcement agents to help secure downtown. Those would add to local forces provided by the Hollister Police Department, Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol.
CHP Capt. Bob Davies spoke Monday, saying “everything I’ve got is coming this way.”
“We are not going to let the members of this committee, or the residents of this city, be unpoliced,” Davies said.
Police Chief Jeff Miller made a brief presentation Monday, saying the city has received tentative commitments for 14 officers of the 40 needed.
