THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY
A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance
OCTOBER 19, 2018
Private Schools
Private School Roundup
SAN BENITO MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS
GAVILAN CANDIDATES P2 | NEW FACILITIES AT SBHS P4 | MANSLAUGHTER IN DUI CASE P12
HOLLISTER • SAN BENITO COUNTY
A New SV Media publication
Friday, October 19, 2018
sanbenito.com • Vol. 145, No. 42 • $1
J. Hopkins withdraws from the District 7 Gav race HIS NAME WILL STILL APPEAR ON BALLOT Scott Forstner Reporter
Robert Eliasont
Jason Hopkins, a candidate in Trustee Area 7 for the Gavilan Community College Joint District Board of Trustees, announced he is withdrawing from the race, citing “personal and health reasons.” Trustee Area 7 includes all of San Benito County outside of Hollister. Hopkins, 37, whose decision to withdraw came too late to have his name removed from the Nov. 6 ballot, said, “I’m not campaigning anymore,” but “I’d take the job” if elected. The two remaining candidates are Michael Alcorn and Irma C. Gonzalez.
PEE WEE HEROES Siblings Emiliano, 10, and Inez, 3, Ruiz participated in Hollister Fire Department’s Open House on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Kids meet local heroes OPEN HOUSE CLOSES FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN HOLLISTER By Debra Eskinazi Magazine and Features Editor
In addition to station tours, the department had engines out on display, and Sparky the Fire Dog was available to meet and greet children. The department held a Pee Wee Firefighter Combat Challenge and offered a free hot dog lunch to guests. “The month of October is National Fire Prevention month,” Bedolla said. “Every year there is a different, theme. This year’s theme was, ‘Look. Listen. Learn.’”
Robert Eliasont
Nearly 250 people came out to show their support and even display a little courage during the Hollister Fire Department’s Open House and its Pee Wee Firefighter Combat Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 13.
The event culminates the department’s annual Fire Prevention Week held this year Oct. 7-13. Deputy Fire Marshal Charlie Bedolla said it provided a great opportunity for the community to visit the station and interact with firefighters. “This event gives the community an opportunity to chat and ask questions, take a tour inside of the station, see what we are all about and ultimately see that we are here for them,” said Bedolla.
HOT RIDE Five-year-old Cesar Vega sits behind the wheel of a fire truck rig during HFD’s Open House on Saturday,
Mayoral candidates discuss plans for city 3 CANDIDATES DIFFER ON ISSUES FACING THE CITY IN INTERVIEWS By Jaqueline McCool Reporter
The race for mayor is crowded in Hollister, with incumbent Ignacio Velazquez up against former planning
commissioner and city councilmember Gordon Machado and five-time candidate Keith Snow. In Hollister the mayor sits on the City Council as a member at large, with council members representing four districts. Machado served as mayor when the position was a rotational appointment among council members. Velazquez owns and operates The Vault, a banquet
hall on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. He is running for his fourth consecutive to-year term. Along with serving on the Hollister Planning Commission for eight years, Machado also served on the Hazel Hawkins hospital board for 12 years. He owns and operates a local business, Rustic Turtle Embroidery. Aside from his past runs for Hollister mayor, Snow
is a retired engineer-foreman and frequent attendee at council meetings. In interviews this month with the Free Lance, the three candidates offered sharply different views on city growth and downtown development strategies. The Free Lance asked each candidate the same questions, developed from Facebook posts where Hollister residents
indicated issues they would like to hear elected officials discuss.
Role of the mayor
Machado emphasized his Hollister roots as giving him insight into understanding the constituents he hopes to serve. He said the key to being mayor is understanding the city as a corporation. ➝ Mayor Interviews, 9
Halloween Fantasy OCT 20th & 21st
A Play Faire Production
NorCalRenFaire.com
Rock Concert Series Lexington Field, OCT 20th Children 12 & Under FREE Every Weekend