News Poll
 
Of these, what would be the biggest impact from opening a charter school in Hollister?
Better options for the students
Unfair advantage for those enrolled
More innovative teaching practices
Less innovative teaching practices
Improved offerings at traditional schools
The fostering of racial segregation

This Is CAPTCHA Image
Enter numbers from above image:


Past Polls
   Top News
 
   Opinion
 

 Editorial: Target the problem owners
Aug 31, 2010
 
 Editorial: Fires are an alarm bell
Aug 24, 2010
 
  More Opinion...
   

NEWS > CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT


SJB official: Park closures 'could be the end of San Juan'
Jun 16, 2009
 By Kollin Kosmicki

HOLLISTER

A councilwoman today said if the state closes Fremont Peak and the historic park, it "could be the end of San Juan."

San Juan Bautista Councilwoman Maggie Bilich called the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, in particular, one of the three "bringers" in the city that, as she put it, attract many of the visitors to town.

She believes it is "equal" in value to the city's draw as the Mission. Along with El Teatro Campesino, she said the attractions make up "The Big 3" for tourism there.

"If they do that to our park or to Fremont Peak or anywhere else here, we're going to have to take away the keys from the businesses and throw them in the ocean," Bilich said.

The state has proposed to close Fremont Peak and the historic park - which includes an array of storied buildings - along with 218 other parks in California to help reduce the deficit while cutting $144 million off the books. Opponents of the closures have argued, meanwhile, that state leaders pushing the proposal aren't considering the economic gains of the parks to businesses and government coffers.

Bilich noted how San Juan, which depends heavily on tourism revenue, already has been suffering immensely due to the poor economy, pointing out the city has to "have a festival to have a lot of people come" there.

Bilich said she has contacted Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, about discussing the matter. She also said a protest of some kind is possible.

"This could be the end of San Juan if we don't work on it," she said.


Kollin Kosmicki
Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.

POST A COMMENT

If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Add to Google Add to My Yahoo!  Email This Article  Print
 News: City and County Government
Farr touts ag industry's potential in annual visit
11:28 AM
 
Parking enforcement stalled as search continues
Sep 1, 2010
 
Supes OK enhanced military leave policy
Aug 30, 2010
 
Morgan Hill opposes area Caltrain reduction
Aug 30, 2010
 
 News: Crime and Fire
Second fatal in a week on same area of Highway 101
11:00 AM
 
Hollister man injured in rollover on Highway 25
Sep 1, 2010
 
Canadian soldier has sentencing delayed
Sep 1, 2010
 
Former SJB chamber official has hearing next week
Sep 1, 2010
 
 News: Schools
An Auto Shop Upgrade
Aug 30, 2010
 
District transfers are about finding the right balance
Aug 26, 2010
 
Class sizes balloon, but numbers remain unofficial
Aug 23, 2010
 
Latest test scores climb for San Benito schools
Aug 20, 2010
 
More City and County Government... More Crime and Fire... More Schools...


 Obituaries

 Jack Tyler
5/17/1944 - 8/27/2010

 Maria deAvila Leon
7/15/1921 - 8/26/2010

 Candelaria Gamboa
4/14/1944 - 8/25/2010

 Mateo Zuniga
7/27/1924 - 8/15/2010

 Antonia Elyse Churchill
10/8/1924 - 8/19/2010

 Ronald V. Bacich
10/12/1937 - 8/21/2010

 Mary Catherine Ward
2/9/1944 - 8/9/2010

 Nieves Lopez Daniels
8/10/1926 - 8/20/2010

 Fred Joel Hawkins Jr and Johnie Lucille Hogan Hawkins
4/7/1915 - 8/13/2009

 Photos
News
     
Sports
     
Special Events
     
Full Pages
     
 Videos
The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
10:00 AM
 
The Score: PBR preview, power lifting and volleyball
Aug 25, 2010
 
Video: Meth, cocaine bust in Gilroy
Aug 20, 2010
 
Video: Firefighters put out west-side blaze
Aug 18, 2010
 
 Special Reports
 Most Wanted
 
More Obituaries... More Photos... More Videos...
Advertise | Contact Us | Subscriber Center | RSS Feed
Copyright © 2010 | MainStreet Media Group | All rights reserved.