Reader pumped up the Hollister rally and was disappointed by changes
Dear Editor,
I was there for this year's rally, first time since 2004. I was really disappointed when they canceled it for that year. When the brought it back I was excited. I've been to Sturgis, but Hollister is much better to me because the weather could be hot but a 30-minute ride is a lot cooler on the coast. My son and I with six other bikers left Tacoma and headed to Hollister. I had been telling these guys how great it was.
After saving and planning for a year, we were off on a 900-mile ride, went down 101 through the redwoods, - what a ride. My son is a fairly new biker, after hearing my stories about Hollister and all the rides once we get there. All of us were stoked.
I always stay in San Juan Bautista, a very cool town. It was just like I had been telling these guys about. We got up Friday morning and had breakfast at the MIssion Cafe, which was excellent. I was still up on my game - everything was great! We rode from there to Hollister a very mellow ride through the fields. Once we got to Hollister to my surprise, Hollister went from a bike rally to a giant vendor show.
That's OK but what Hollister forgot was the meaning of bike rally. What's up with that? San Benito Street - it was for everyone to show off their bikes, not buy a bunch of T-shirts and other things. Yes have the vendors but have them on the side streets.
I understand Hollister needs to make money but let the bikers show their bikes. There were no burnout contests, no wet T-shirts. It seems it was all about money, not the rally. So I ask what was up with that? I guess they are trying to to make it a kid-friendly rally. We didn't bring any kids. I'm retired and on a fixed income, I had to save all year to go.
If I wanted to take the kids I'd go to Disneyland. I hope this letter will help. I know there's probably more coming in. There were a ot of disappointed bikers out there.
Please bring Hollister back!
Cliff Adamson, Tacoma, Wa.
Stonegate water issue is a reminder that we must conserve what we have
Dear Editor,
It seems that the Stonegate community near Tres Pinos has used up its allocation of water. The San Benito County Public Works Department and the San Benito County Water District have been blamed by the residents. Were full disclosures not made by the real estate agents who sold the their homes?
In the early 1990s when Stonegate was being developed and prospective buyers were being courted, the subject of water supply was questioned many times. Various prospective buyers pulled out after a while when they learned that in drought years there could be water woes. Those buying property knew of the possible problems and took their chances due to a lack of a secondary water supply.
Whomever may be at fault, we must all be aware of drought years and conserve water wherever we may live.
Ruth Erikson, Hollister
San Benito County Board of Supes deserves credit for keeping projects going
Dear Editor,
We want to commend the SBC Board of Supervisors for their decision to keep moving forward with their review of El Rancho San Benito and other proposed development projects.
As local businessmen we are very happy to see our county moving forward. It has been too long since we have seen jobs, new businesses and affordable housing for our people and our children. Too many many of our family, friends and neighbors have to work, even in construction, outside of our county.
Is El Rancho San Benito the answer to our economic problems ad can it bring the benefits we need here? Their record for quality work and development in other places tells us they could be great for us. But we will only know if their project is studied and moves forward as the board voted.
We had not been to a board meeting in a long time so we were glad to see them looking and voting for our economic future. We want to see our community go forward and not backward.
Albert Rodriguez and Ruben Rodriguez, Hollister
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