About the Candidates

U.S. Representative, 20th District

State Assembly, 30th District

San Benito County Board of Education District 1

Hollister School District TA 2

Hollister School District TA 4

Supervisor District 4 short term

Supervisor District 2

Hollister Mayor

Hollister City Council District 1

Hollister City Council District 4

San Juan Bautista City Council

Sunnyslope County Water District

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 1

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 5

U.S. Representative, 20th District

Jimmy Panetta

I’m the U.S. Representative for California’s 20th Congressional District, serving you since 2017. I’m the grandson of immigrants, a parent, veteran, and former deputy district attorney. I grew up here and as a member of our diverse community, I believe in working together to ensure opportunity for everybody.

Why are you running for office?
As a U.S. Representative, I have the honor of working to affect people’s lives. By fighting to ensure that the federal government works for people, I am providing people with opportunities to fulfill their dreams in our democracy and upholding our Central Coast values.
What are your goals?
As a U.S. Representative, it is my responsibility to ensure that the federal government works for you. This includes my personal service to assist constituents with the government as well as my fight for legislative policies to combat the pandemic, protect our environment, fight for affordable and accessible healthcare and housing, ensure racial justice, secure adequate infrastructure investment, support our bountiful agriculture, and pass comprehensive immigration reform. By working collaboratively towards meaningful solutions for those and many other issues, I will continue to fulfill my obligation to serve the people and uphold the values of our home on the Central Coast.
If you could accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
As laid out above, I am working to fulfill many legislative goals in Congress for the Central Coast. However, based on my previous bipartisan efforts and work, I believe that I have laid a substantial foundation for successful legislation for immigration reform. As the grandson of immigrants and being from the Central Coast, I value and appreciate, and will continue to fight for, immigrants who are willing to come here and work hard to contribute so much to our community, country, economy, and culture. That is why I was motivated to formulate and introduce the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Moreover, I worked to pass the bipartisan Dream and Promise Act to provide Dreamers and TPS recipients with an earned pathway to citizenship. Furthermore, I introduced the Providing Justice for Asylum Seekers Act to protect families who fled violence and arrive at the border to give their children a better life. Those legislative solutions, combined with reasonable and feasible border security, can lead to comprehensive immigration reform so that those who are willing to come here and contribute to who we are as a community and country can have the opportunity to fulfill their American Dream.

Jeff Gorman

Jeff Gorman was born and raised in Monterey. Jeff went from Monterey High to UC Berkeley, earning a BA in Political Science. Jeff has worked in investment management since 1992. Jeff chaired the Monterey County Republican Party, is Treasurer of a charity, and believes in giving back through volunteer service.

Why do you want to run for office?
I have a fundamentally different view of government from the incumbent. The limited role of government is very important. I am running to focus the federal government on our economy. National security depends on a strong economy. Good paying jobs come from a strong economy. Everything else dilutes this mission.
What are you goals?
My first goal is to replace Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. We must have a functional federal government without partisan bickering and petty vendettas. My overarching goal is to free our economy and our society from the weak position past leaders have put us in. Foreign competition is not going to ease up. We must empower our businesses and employers to hire and train American workers. We must embrace manufacturing domestically. We must stick up for our nation in foreign trade deals. With a strong economy, there will be competition for workers. With that competition comes opportunity for better wages. With better wages, families can afford homes, purchase great healthcare, send kids to great schools and take better care of the environment. My goal for the government is simple. Focus on the core mission. We must stop over promising. Our current system delivers chaos and deficits. The Federal government must be empowered to perform its key and unique function, then butt-out of everything else. I would like to reshape our foreign aid budget from the global, diluting interests of the past to focus on what helps Americans and secures our National Interest here and now.
If you could accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
My one most important goal is to demonstrate good government for the next generation. All of my goals come down to one thing, sustaining the great experiment of America. We have a Representative Democracy. It is not intended to be or capable of being everything to everyone all the time. Our great U.S. Constitution is designed with separation of powers, both horizontally and vertically. Yet today, individuals’ and states’ rights are increasingly muddled as the Federal government bureaucracy works its way into our everyday lives. Our next generation has shown a troubling affinity for socialism. It is critical we relearn the lessons of the past, so we do not become vulnerable to the fallacy of communism (mass starvation and secret police), progressivism (eugenics and racism), and Maoism (cultural revolution and chaos.) I will speak up against these forces.Our founding fathers have become subject to revisionist history. The legacy of throwing off slavery and Jim Crow segregation has been tossed out as though those weren’t great achievements. We must ensure our next generation learns how to love America, their home, so that this great experiment in liberty and freedom can continue for future generations as the light of the world.

State Assembly, 30th District

Gregory Swett

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Robert Rivas

Bio Not Yet Submitted

San Benito County Board of Education District 1

Elizabeth Zepeda Gonzalez

Hello my name is Elizabeth Zepeda Gonzalez. Some of my hobbies are camping, reading, fishing, and interior design. I come from a humble family and grew up in Hollister; graduate of San Benito Joint High School. Obtain my Bachelors in Social and Behavioral Sciences from California State University Monterey Bay and further expanded my knowledge in Biology and Environmental Studies. While in school I co-directed an educational program to better prepare our youth to be college ready or seek entrepreneurial opportunities. My interest law and legal aid lead me to my current work; for local non-profit who services our try county community. I am currently directing our Emergency relief services. I am further applying to Law School and Graduate School in the bay area. I am running for San Benito School Board District One.

Shawn P Herrera

Serial Entrepreneur, Non-Profit Board Member, and Education Philanthropist, Shawn is a native to Silicon Valley. Shawn has 20+ years of successful business and technology leadership experience, setting strategy and vision for Silicon Valley startups. His diverse background encompasses strategy, operations, sales and marketing, and product and business development. Shawn has led several world’s first product innovations and built business ventures in the Compute/IT, Real Estate, and Entertainment industries. He has received industry recognitions and has co-authored multiple patents.

Mary Anne Filice

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Hollister School District TA 2

Elizabeth Martinez

I was born in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico. I am an only child, my parents and I immigrated to this country when I was 2 years old. We settled in Hollister because my father had older siblings living here. As an immigrant to a new country and not knowing the language life was difficult. Once I started school and learned English (which I still consider myself an English Learner), I became my parent’s personal interpreter/translator. They relied on me to help them navigate through their language barriers. My parents worked in the fields/orchards/canneries for most of their lives, I also worked picking cherries, walnuts, and apricots until I got married at 18. They have had their own business of growing and drying apricots for the last 47 years in SBC. I am proud of my parents because they instilled in me the value of a dollar and working hard to accomplish what you want in life, as they did. I have been married for 33 years to my HS sweetheart. We have two sons, two amazing daughters-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. We lost our first child when he was a little over 3 months old. I love being a grandma, it has brought the biggest joy and purpose to my life.

Why are you running for office?
I am running for a third term because I feel I am not done with the work that needs to continue at the HSD. I have four amazing passionate caring board members that encouraged me to run for another term and that is the biggest compliment you can possibly get. I have never felt more confident and empowered by the direction we have set out to accomplish. This board for the first time since I’ve been on the board is completely united in its efforts. We are committed to bringing forth equity to “all” and shining the light in areas where we need to freely and openly discuss and others are afraid to go. For example, Special Education has always been a major concern for many years but only now under the direction of our current Superintendent Ochoa have we been able to correct our past and create a program we are proud of but most importantly our parents are proud of and will continue refining as we go along.
What are my goals?
My goals are simple, create the best atmosphere for learning, teaching, and working. I work with four other individuals and together we work as one body to bring a standard of academic achievement by ensuring that “all” our students are supported and accomplish “individualized” success. We have complete fiscal oversight of the District’s revenues and expenditures. We evaluate/assess what is working and what isn’t to best determine the direction of the District. I want to offer choices for our families with a selection of wonderful campuses/programs to choose from. I would like us to venture out and not be afraid of addressing topics that may be controversial or uncomfortable. I grow up in a household where things like that weren’t talked about because my parents didn’t know how to approach the conversation. Learning things on the streets or from friends really shouldn’t be how our children learn about teen suicide, vaping/drugs, cyberstalking, etc. If we truly want to educate the whole child then it’s going to take all of us coming together as a community to do so. This particular goal isn’t really something our District has much control over but I wish our city and county leaders would take into consideration the needs of our school districts (basic infrastructures) before approving land development for homes. School districts in this county get overlooked time and time again. We need to make sure the school districts are prepared to accommodate the growth otherwise where will be put those students. State and Federal funding for education doesn’t meet the need, especially now with the additional cost of COVID preparedness for re-opening our schools. Plus, this school year from February through June the state will begin deferring our monthly revenue allocations. Every school district will have to borrow money to make payroll and pay their monthly expenses. The state is also considering making cuts to education in the following school years, which will devastate districts across the state. We all need to advocate for more funding for education, our kids should come first.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would that be and how would you do it?
My biggest worry is the growth and not having the infrastructure to support it. I would like to see the Hollister School District, San Benito High School District, San Benito County Office of Ed and our city and county leaders work in developing a responsible plan for growth. We need to work together and I know that it can be challenging but not impossible. We have to come together to provide our community the best we can give. I have lived here for 50 years and this community was surrounded by fields/orchards and now it full of homes and more yet to come. I want our kids to have parks, things for them to do to stay busy and out of trouble. Our schools provide the environment for learning, our community should be able to provide the rest. Especially for our kids who families can’t afford to pay, it takes a village and we all have to be committed to improving our community.

Leonard JT Espinoza

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Hollister School District TA 4

Robert Bernosky

I am a chief financial officer in private industry, mostly dealing with special situations that require many different skills in difficult environments. Married for 31 years to Jenny, we have raised our 3 children in the public schools of San Benito County. I have enjoyed serving our community and preserving our western/agriculture flavor while bringing practical solutions to our governance. I like children to have a happy childhood and enjoy success.

Lisa Marks

I have lived in Hollister for 19 years. Two of my children attended HSD schools. We face many challenges with distance learning and upcoming budget cuts related to COVID. I am passionate about public education and want to help HSD to thrive, providing a quality education to every student.

Why are you running for office?
I believe that a community thrives when its children thrive. I want to be part of a team that works to develop and maintain a system which enables all its children to receive a quality education and services that ensure their educational, social, and emotional success.
What are your goals?
COVID-19 has presented many challenges for our school system. We need to find ways to ensure students are receiving a quality education within the limitations of distance learning. This requires planning, identifying software and hardware needed, administering, servicing, and training both staff and students on how to work the technology and teaching in ways where students can keep moving forward in their learning. At the same time, we need to ensure that the district is planning, based on science, for safely returning to a classroom environment.
We need to provide quality support and opportunities for all students within the district. These include special education, English-learning, bilingual communication support for both students and parents, and opportunities not only for remediation but also for enrichment to close any achievement gap. Optimally, we could create within the district an environment where students are excited to come to school.
Hollister is growing. New housing means Hollister School District will need to plan for additional students. The district needs to plan for maintaining and improving current facilities, imagining scenarios for future facilities, as well as working with teachers, staff, parents and students to provide quality instruction and set students up for success in high school and beyond.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
If I could only accomplish one goal, it would be to set up a district where all the schools worked together to provide a learning environment where, no matter which school the child attends, he or she has a similar experience focused on academic excellence and an environment that makes learning not only challenging but fun.

Communication between administration, teachers, staff and parents would be open and two-way. Services would be available to those who need it. Focus would be on providing opportunities for each child to rise to their potential. Inclusiveness and kindness would be modeled and encouraged.

Innovation and forward thinking would be welcomed in order to better help students prepare for the future. There would be a balance between traditional solids (math, science, English, social studies, etc.) and also opportunities for enrichment where students could explore technology, art, music, physical education, critical thinking, and other life skills.

Of course, this would require a reimagining of the district and probably require a detailed and long-term study of existing gaps and development of strategic goals and objectives. All of this, of course, leveraging existing strengths, facilities, and curriculum to focus on fiscal responsibility.

Supervisor District 4 short term

Bob Tiffany

Fourth generation San Benito County resident
Attended all local schools
Stanford; U.C.L.A. (M.B.A.)
Managed Tiffany Motor Company 30+ years
Community service: HDA; Southside School District Trustee; Community Foundation Board; Co-Chair “Yes on G”; President of San Benito Business Council
Married to Kathy; two sons

Why Am I Running?
San Benito County is at a critical turning point. I have lived here most of my life, and love this community. I see our county facing significant challenges as we navigate the pandemic and its enormous impact on our economy. I wanted to step up and further serve my community.
What Are My Goals?

Public Safety: In our current environment, my focus on public safety would mean not only having adequate fire and law enforcement coverage in District 4, but also protecting our residents’ health during the pandemic.
Economic Recovery & Development: I would start by working toward the recovery of our existing businesses from the effects of the pandemic. But for the economy to fully recover, I would also accelerate our efforts to attract new commercial and industrial development, and the jobs and sales tax revenue it will bring to our county.
Roads: After many years of neglect, our county roads are just now being addressed. But much more needs to be done, and that includes finally dealing with the expansion of Highway 25. I was Co-Chair of the efforts to pass Measure G, and with nearly 70% approval, fixing 25 is truly a community mandate. I would make this a top priority for our county.
Infrastructure: Overall, we have fallen behind in our county’s infrastructure, partly due to residential growth that hasn’t always been properly managed. I would insist that any new housing development not only makes sense -- and includes more affordable options -- but fully mitigates the impact it has on our community.

If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
Although I have many goals, if I could only accomplish one of them, it would be to have our local economy fully recover from the pandemic by accelerating the county’s efforts to attract new commercial and industrial development. After over 30 years in business and community service -- and particularly as the long-time President of the San Benito County Business Council -- I have extensive experience in this area. I have worked closely with both the City of Hollister and San Benito County staff and elected officials over the years, and I know what it will take to bring more commercial and industrial development, and increased job growth and sales tax revenue, to our community. As Supervisor, I would prioritize county efforts to:

Promote San Benito County to potential new companies, partnering with the EDC and other business organizations;
Reduce the county departmental “red tape” that so often in the past has limited our success with bringing new companies here;
Develop incentive programs to encourage both existing business expansion and new business attraction;
Make our county “business friendly”, supporting existing and new companies alike;
Prioritize fixing Highway 25, which has been a pediment to attracting new business.

Robert Gibson

I am a 5th generation resident of San Benito County. I work on the family organic walnut farm, at local Circle S Vineyard, and I serve as the Vice Chairman of the San Benito County Planning Commission, having been appointed by Jim Gillio. I enjoy hiking, my farm animals, and history.

Why are you running for office?
I discovered that I can quench my passion for helping others - with my voice, I speak for each of you. My time served as your planning Commissioner has earned me respect and a leadership role from my political colleagues. I would like to entrusted to do more for SBC.
What are your goals?
I want to improve our lifestyles. I possess a lifelong history of actively looking out for others, listening to others who are not used to being heard, extending time and finances and compelling others to action. I work hard and efficiently until the job is 100% complete. I do not accept other's agendas, standards, or beliefs - however, I do enjoy debate, investigating, and being challenged. In life I am known as being a man of my word, and I honor friends, neighbors and strangers with equal conviction. My Top Priorities Are: Bring High Paying Jobs to San Benito County Improve Roads Increase Areas with High Speed Internet / Broadband Connections Diversify the Tax Base Once elected, I will immediately work to improve our lives. Bringing in higher paying jobs and improving our roads and infrastructure will work together to shorten our commutes and allow residents to enjoy more personal time. Increasing high-speed internet service will assist businesses to become more competitive, allow residents to attend online classes easier, and open opportunities equally for all. Diversifying the tax base will bring in more economic security and allow our local government to offer services other Bay Area counties take for granted.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
I will hire a grant writer for the county. In researching what other counties’ budgets are on my personal time, I realized that many nearby counties and cities are receiving TENS OF MILLIONS of dollars for grants. My position as Vice Chair on the Planning Commission gave me access to speak to a variety of people. I investigated and discovered that our only Grant Writer in SBC works solely for Health & Human Services, so he mainly writes for housing needs for them. Monterey County received over $32 million in State and Federal Construction Capital Grants alone! Once we have FUNDING, my top priority is Bring in Higher Paying Jobs! The grants themselves may fund these goals, or they may open up the county budget to other projects. Everything is connected. I will increase our county funds, Repair the Roads, Strengthen Broadband Internet Connection, and hire another Senior Planner. THIS WILL BRING IN COMPANIES who will pay more giving SBC residents higher paying job opportunities. It will also Shorten Our Commutes and Diversify the Tax Base. I posted information I found about grants on my campaign’s Facebook page, and will continue to update it. Leadership. Experience. Honesty. I’m Robert GIBSON.

Keith Snow

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Mike Mansmith

I am a; 47 year old, husband, father of four, and local business owner. I have a tremendous work ethic, the drive, and the ambition to see things done. I am a third-generation, lifelong resident of this great community and am the owner of Mansmith's BBQ LLC.

Dan Valcazar

Leadership is Dan’s top candidacy position. Strong leadership is what defines Dan. From a young age Dan has been asked or found himself in roles that require strong leadership. Examples from his youth are team captain of the wrestling team, or team leader for the karate team (Black Belt). Dan was part of the top trio of trumpeters for the high school band. See more leadership roles below.

Transparency is Dan’s second major candidate position.
Truth is paramount. In the San Jose Police academy, Dan was chosen to be the Sgt. At Arms. This is a leader position with authority from the TAC officer. Dan won 2 of the 3 awards given at the graduation ceremony. Dan became very good at interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, and testifying in court. Dan was asked to study for the Sgt.’s promotional exam as a young officer. When Dan decided to end his 15 year law enforcement career, he was acting Lt. on the lieutenant’s promotional list. Dan left to challenge himself in the private business sector. Dan experienced the officer level, supervisor level, and commander (mgmt.) level.
Dan became a sales manager with friends he knew since the 7th grade. They took a private company, Advantage Manufactured Homes, public. The company was grown from 2 offices to 26 offices, from Santa Rosa to San Diego. This success meant huge financial rewards.
After fulfilling their corporate obligations, Dan and friends formed a new start up and Dan was chosen as a junior partner in a new private company, Alliance MH Homes. After more years of success, Dan eventually transitioned into residential real estate. For 27 years, Dan has been involved in the housing sector. Dan obtained his Real Estate license in 2001, his Broker’s license in 2005, and was the Broker of record for Alliance MH Homes' (2006-2010) residential arm.
Action is the Third pillar of Dan’s candidacy.
Why all the career activity? Dan has found that the continual change and new lessons learned benefit his life and the life of those around him. San Benito county is now the beneficiary.

Education
Dan graduated from High School in a quick 3 years, started college at 16yrs old, and graduated from SJSU with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology and a minor in Chemistry. A notable experience was when Dan studied at the Moss Landing Marine Lab. He was one of 3 undergraduate students, mixed with 23 graduate students. The grad students were from Stanford, Berkeley, the east coast, and England. Lucky for Dan, they all earned similar grades. That was a confidence builder.

Service
Dan has served his community in a variety of leadership roles including youth and adult coaching/training, private club board director, religion instructor, finance committee member, HOA board president, etc. Dan’s recent activity has been donating to fundraising events such as golf tournaments for disadvantaged youth, the San Jose Police Chaplaincy program, PAL fundraisers, etc.
Married for 36 years, Dan is very proud of his son (Bellarmine/USD Bachelor's/2 Masters Degrees), daughter in Law (USD Bachelor's/Masters Degree) and daughter (Presentation/St. Mary's College Moraga Bachelors Degree). Dan and his wife were awarded 'Parents of the Year' in 2006 from the University of San Diego. Dan is very grateful for his family success and strives to be instrumental in the success of others.

Supervisor District 2

Wayne Norton

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Kollin Kosmicki

Kollin Kosmicki, a career journalist, is the former Editor of the Hollister Free Lance and Pinnacle newspapers. He founded local media business San Benito Live in 2017 and is Anzar High School’s head football coach. Kollin lives in the San Juan Bautista area with his wife Cecilia and 12-year-old son.

Why are you running for office?
I dearly love San Benito County and want to make a positive impact while bringing fundamental change to the local political culture. I feel strongly that I have the right background, deep knowledge of local government and bold approach to serve our community well in this role.
What are your goals?
My top goals are slower single-family housing growth; aggressively fixing local roads; expanding Highways 25 and 156; and creating jobs. I’m the only candidate who has consistently committed to a plan for slow growth, which includes a 1 percent annual cap for approvals of new market- rate housing. My proposal exempts affordable categories, eliminates a system allowing developers to forego affordable housing in subdivisions, and increases the minimum percentage of affordable units in projects. Meanwhile, we must devise a multi-jurisdictional plan to address the farmworker housing shortage. With roads, I will push hard to pursue outside state and federal dollars – to go with Measure G sales tax funds – to upgrade our roads and make the most of our limited resources. It is imperative we put more pressure on the state to ensure the Highway 156 expansion starts in early 2021, and I’ve proposed and supported alternative plans to expedite the Highway 25 widening. My detailed jobs plan calls for an increased focus on tourism, boosting our EDC of San Benito County investment coinciding with tangible job- performance goals, focusing on commercial and industrial development in and near Hollister, and more ideas readers can find at kollinforsupervisor.com.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
Frankly, I’m optimistic we can accomplish all three of my top goals. I don’t view one goal as more important than the others, and it’s important to remember they are all interrelated. Slowing the pace of this county’s immense housing growth – at least until our two-lane highways are expanded – would curtail an increasingly disastrous situation with traffic congestion and potential public safety problems. Expanding those highways as soon as possible, meanwhile, would create a plethora of significant economic opportunities for San Benito County. With a modernized highway system in our backyard, I am confident Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay companies would become more open to prospects here, especially with over 1,500 acres of available commercial and industrial zoning available in Hollister right now. But first, we have to stop putting the cart before the horse with our priorities. We must follow smart growth philosophies with housing and focus on catching up with infrastructure if we’re going to reach our true potential as a community. Our leaders need to see through deception created by developers, landowners looking to cash out, and their friends who continue putting self-interests before the interests of this county.

Hollister Mayor

Sal Mora

I was born and raised in the Bay Area. My wife and I felt that raising our 4 children was best suited in Hollister where my wife grew up. I’ve worked as a Juvenile Corrections Officer for the past 16 years with Santa Clara County Probation. I also work part-time as a Mortgage Loan Officer.

Why are you running for office?
Hollister is at the crossroads of opportunity, but you have to work hard and work well with others to give residents and the business community the chance to thrive. I’m running for Mayor because I truly believe our community is in need of fresh leadership to advance them to a new phase of the future of Hollister.
What are your goals?
My top goals are restoring civility on the City Council, expediting the expansion of highway 25, and economic development. Our citizens have seen the lack of civility on the City Council for many years and they are fed up. They want elected officials who will focus on ensuring that the needs of the community are addressed, not spending their time arguing with one another. With the passage of Measure G, and matching funds from the state, we finally have the means to widen Highway 25. We must ensure that the quickest and most cost-effective plan is selected. This can be done by having a Mayor who will work well with those involved in the decision-making process. I would like to see the addition of more commercial and light industrial development, which will bring good quality jobs to Hollister. This would assist in collecting more tax revenue to address our infrastructure needs as well as funding for other programs.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
Restoring civility on the City Council would be that goal. Hollister’s constituents suffer when their elected leaders spend the majority of their time arguing and attempting to publicly shame those who have differing points of view. City staff as well as constituents should feel confident that they can express their opinions without worrying about being attacked on social media or at a public meeting. Lacking civility on the City Council ensures that city business is not being addressed. I will push for adoption of a City of Hollister rules of decorum that will ensure that every public meeting is run in an efficient, respectful, and dignified manner with consequences for those that refuse to follow the rules. It’s time to get our City Council on track and work for our residents.

Ignacio Velazquez

IGNACIO VELAZQUEZ came to Hollister in the early 1990s. He had been living in Orange County and Ventura, but said he saw something special about Hollister and decided to make it his home. He holds a master’s degree in business from CSU-Hayward and a global studies degree from CSU-Monterey Bay. He is married with two children and met his wife in Hollister.

Velazquez was first elected mayor in 2012, with previous positions as a county planning commissioner and as presidents of the Hollister Downtown Association and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has owned businesses for over 30 years, including the Vault in Hollister.

I believe our city has so much potential and I want to make sure we implement plans that benefit our community and stop repeating the same mistakes as in the past. Before I became mayor, the city of Hollister was in bad financial shape because of the lack of planning and unwise financial decisions. I was able to turn our financial situation around by focusing our finances to pay off bad debt and being more conservative with how we were spending our tax dollars. Over the past few years, there has been an effort by a few to approve thousands of new homes, which would once again put the city in a bad financial position and stress our infrastructure. I believe that our focus needs to stay on improving our existing infrastructure, bringing jobs to our city with more retail, commercial and industrial facilities rather than just building more homes.

The absolute biggest issue is too many homes being approved and built in our community, which is leading to more traffic, infrastructure issues and impacted schools. I believe the majority of our community wants to preserve our farmland and rural heritage rather than becoming a suburb for San Jose. We should be proud of the beauty that surrounds us and use it to bring more tourism and companies that want their employees to have a better quality of life. Creating more local jobs will lead to more of our own residents having more time to spend with their family rather than commuting for several hours a day to the Bay area for work.

The answers are all there and all that is needed is the three votes to implement the strategies. Recently, the council approved another quality hotel that was the result of incentives we put in place a few years ago and has proven very successful. Also, plans were submitted to the city for a 4-million-square-foot industrial complex that would include a hotel and would create hundreds of jobs for our residents. One of the next important steps is to work with the county to focus on agriculture tourism, such as wineries, rather than just building more homes.

Hollister City Council District 1

Rick Perez

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Jose Fernandez

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Hollister City Council District 4

Tim Burns

Married 34 years, 2 adult children, Owned house in District 4 for past 22 years. Bachelors Science Degree San Jose State. Life-time part-time teaching credential. 40 years in Public Safety (Law Enforcement/Code Enforcement). Licensed contractor (inactive status). Retired Police Officer, retired Police Ombudsman, trained mediator, Community Compliance Manager.

Why are you running for office?
To serve the residents in District 4 .My education, training, life and professional experience make me an ideal candidate. With my public safety and community development background I can hit the ground running. I know how to get things accomplished.
What are your goals? - To restore civility to City Council
- To treat everyone with courtesy, respect and professionalism.
- To represent the needs, interests and ideas of the residents in District 4.
- To maintain fiscal accountability.
- To be open minded and prepared.
- To collaborate and be inclusive.
- To establish a Code of Conduct ordinance for all elected and appointed city officials.
- To work with the Mayor, Council Members and others to slow residential development .
- To work with the Council of San Benito Governments to ensure timely expansion of Highway 25
- To improve our local roads.
- To establish a scholarship fund for our local youth through the money I receive for being a Council Member.
- To host a robust community conversation regarding term limits for the Mayor and Council Members.
- To increase local employment opportunities.
- To improve downtown Hollister.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals what would it be and how would you do it?
There are several approved residential development projects in progress. I understand that these projects were approved 6-10 years ago. These projects were paused for several years until the water connection moratorium was lifted and the economy improved. We need to time limit Tentative Maps which approve development to a 3 year life to prevent this land banking from occurring in the future.
We need to create a thoughtful, reasonable, timely and effective plan to slow the future development of market rate single family residential housing in Hollister until Highways 25 and 156 are expanded and improved to meet current needs. We need to respond to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s July 29, 2020 demand that we immediately void or suspend the growth management plan under SB330. Rather than ignore the demand and face significant fines and potential lawsuits my recommendation is to hire a subject matter expert land use attorney(s) to review the City of Hollister housing element and growth management plan and create a strategic response to Housing and Community Development’s demand. We should work with County Supervisors to slow single family residential housing development in the county since SB330 doesn’t apply to San Benito County.

Julio Rodriguez

Bio Not Yet Submitted

San Juan Bautista City Council

Jackie Morris-Lopez

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Nicole M Franco

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Scott Freels

Bio Not Yet Submitted

John Freeman

I am presently a City of San Juan Bautista council member, since 2016. I have a small consulting business in Water Treatment and Hazardous waste. Before that I worked for Romic Environmental Technologies in the Bay Area. I have advocated for the city Water Master Plan, since I took office and before as a citizen. I assisted with the Parks Master Plan, and brought sustainable electric power to San Benito County. I guided the City to new sources of income to improve our streets, sewer, and water systems.

Why I am running for office.
To finish the water master plan and projects resulting from them. This is critical to both the physical and financial health of our city. It is the most important project any SJB city council has done in the past 20 years and long overdue. I have both the professional experience and council experience to ensure that we make the best choices for the present and our future with our limited resources.
What are your goals?
#1. To finish our Water Master plan and to implement those decisions.
#2. To get a climate change plan enacted.
#3. To get our cannabis ordinance working and start generating tax revenue from this industry. This would give our small city a substantial budget increase and could help fund some of the other goals below.
#4. To ensure that our planning process keeps San Juan small and compact while allowing for some additional housing, especially affordable housing for our working class.
#5. To create a “Specific Plan” for the area of SJB south of Hwy 156. I would like to see this zoned as small commercial or light industrial to house some small businesses that could provide a variety of good jobs for our residents.
#6. Enact a parks plan and work with the county to improve the De Anza Trail area, just outside our city. This road is in terrible shape and a small parking lot would be helpful. This would make a more accessible park in which to recreate for our older children. I would like to build a skate park and basketball court in our present city corporation yard. This means moving this eyesore to the outskirts of town, perhaps to our newly zoned light industrial area.
#7. To promote (market) and encourage businesses in our historic Third St. Business district and other event venues in town.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals what would it be and how would you do it?
The water projects are the most important goals that need to be completed. I do presently have some outside motivators to push this project forward, the State Water Board and EPA. Their recent fines have made the council finally pay attention and we are having to deal with this neglected issue. It has taken me over two years and three city managers to get some serious city council focus upon this need. I feel confident that my contributions will carry the day, because I have the technical expertise to mind the details, while also looking at the long term outcome.

Sunnyslope County Water District

Jerry Buzzetta

Barbara and I have lived in San Benito County for 34 years and have been married for 42 years, not counting the 7 years previous to that-beginning our relationship as sophomores at Campbell High School. I am a 3rd generation settler of the Santa Clara Valley on my mom's side, and 3rd generation immigrants from Italy, the town of Monreale, near Palermo, Sicily, on my dad's side. Growing up, I picked fruit, cut apricots, and had relatives that worked for the Del Monte cannery in Campbell. We choose San Benito for it's like qualities, so our children would grow up in a similar great environment, as we did. Our four children were raised right here.

It has been a huge transitional year for the District in regards to leadership and the loss of institutional knowledge with the GM and several key managers retiring. Ensuring that employees, and customers as applicable, are treated fairly and with respect, supported, shown acknowledgement and appreciation, operate in a safe environment, receive clear communications and expectations, have an open door policy, have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and advance, have fair pay and benefits, are the best trained, and perform at the most efficient and effective level possible, is the job of the GM and managers. Excellent individuals were hired and promoted. Many systems are being upgraded-long over due-and implemented to modernize, streamline, and help the employees be safer, better trained, more efficient, effective, and productive, while generating cost savings in the long run and providing better customer service in the meantime. Growth is driving revenue, but is not sustainable. We must contain costs, build reserves, create efficiencies, and continue to have the best trained and highest certified/licensed staff to meet all future challenges.

I am running for the Sunnyslope County Water District because as the appointed incumbent of a year ago, I gave my word at that time, that I would run for election and continue to serve for as long as the voters allow.

As we are a special district-an enterprise operation-we are a non-profit governmental-like entity which gets its main revenue stream strictly from water and wastewater users. Therefore, we must spend money like it was our own and build reserves to address capital and maintenance issues as much as possible. Rate payer increases should be only done as a last resort, after exhausting all other avenues. Therefore, forecasting, planning,and budgeting are key and essential components for present and future spending and cost control. The current connection fees, for new services in new subdivisions being built, are not to be spent unwisely now, as much maintenance, servicing, repairs, and eventual replacement costs of the same, is in our future for all the new water systems being turned over to us by developers. I have questioned the GM and staff about the 'common practice' of the developer to give a 1 year warranty on water systems deeded over to us on completion of the developers contractual obligations. Why is it not more like a 5 or 10 year warranty? Why not require the developer to post a bond or deposit funds with us to handle any warranty-related items. Any unused funds, at the end, can be returned with fair market interest. Capitalization of these new assets can give a false financial picture if one is not looking at all the potential costs, as well as projecting short, medium, and long term expenses associated with these assets. I've asked the GM to create a new 5 year strategic plan.

Andres Builes

Bio Not Yet Submitted

Jim Parker

Hello, my name is Jim Parker and I have lived in Hollister, and in the district, for over 30 years. My wife and I have raised two sons here and have enjoyed being a part of this community. I was appointed to the Sunnyslope Water Board in January of 2019.

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 1

Jeri Hernandez

I have been fortunate enough to call Hollister my home for the past thirty-four years. I own a business here, and I have served for many years on the Hollister Downtown Association, working to bring more businesses to San Benito Street.

San Benito County has given me and my family so much. I am proud to give back whenever I can. I am particularly passionate about strengthening our local hospital, supporting our doctors and nurses, and making sure every patient gets excellent medical care

Susan Postigo

Bio Not Yet Submitted

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 5

Alberto Arevalo

My name is Alberto Arevalo I have been a resident of Hollister for over 40 years. I have a degree in Spanish Education and currently work as a Quality Control Engineer for Pride Conveyance Systems in Hollister. The hospital has been an important resource for many generations of my family.

Elizabeth Arrizon

Elizabeth is interested in how San Benito County Health Care District will continue to provide the necessary benefits to our local residents as our community grows in population. Her belief is that we desperately need local grassroots leadership who are aware of the health issues impacting everyone in our community. She is ready for the challenge and looks forward to working for the residents of our community.

Rick Shelton

I founded Shelton Insurance in 1980, a leading agency in California and nationwide. I understand the Healthcare Insurance System, patient needs, and reimbursement issues. I am active in community involvement, coaching over 25 youth sports teams, serving as Scout Master, and President of Hollister Exchange Club, to name a few.

Why are you running for office?
I am running for District 5 Hospital Board to make a difference for our community. I raised my sons here, and they are raising my grandchildren here. We have a real 'jewel' of a hospital which needs to be promoted and guided to meet the changing needs of our community.
What are your goals?
The San Benito Health Care District is facing a most critical time. Our rural Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is under tremendous pressure to meet the patient demands and to adapt to the changes we are seeing as a result of the growth within our community and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical ideas are needed to focus on enhancing primary care, quality care, facility efficiency, customer satisfaction and provider recruitment, all while maintaining financial stability. Fresh new ideas are needed to provide the necessary guidance, to establish goals and implement changes. Additional areas of concentration would be to enhance the traditional and medical senior housing units. This could be done with cooperation from the private sector, the San Benito Health Care District and other community-based agencies. Senior needs will continue to grow as the “Boomers” continue to age. We cannot overlook or ignore their needs. They will need access to excellent medical care as well as a clean and safe environment to live comfortably. I would also endorse expanded diabetic and local dialysis care. I want to have the San Benito Health Care District Hospital, Clinics and Senior Medical Living Facilities examples of providing the "Best of Care" for our County.
If you could only accomplish one of your goals, what would it be and how would you do it?
If I were able to accomplish just 'One Goal,' I would focus on expanding the access to Primary Care Services. This would include qualified Health Care Professionals providing annual wellness check-ups, telemedicine visits during the trying COVID- 19 pandemic, detecting early stages of disease through screenings, such as diabetes, heart disease, mental health, vision issues, dental problems, and education for patients as they navigate their health and their care. For the past 10 years, the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has mandated medical plan benefits promoting access to Primary Care be provided without a deductible or copay expense, all the more reason for patients to have access. This "One Goal" would be achieved with expansion and efficiency, increasing access to these services. We need to be preventative, getting residents their care regularly. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

About the Candidates

Table of Contents

U.S. Representative, 20th District

Jimmy Panetta

Jeff Gorman

State Assembly, 30th District

Gregory Swett

Robert Rivas

San Benito County Board of Education District 1

Elizabeth Zepeda Gonzalez

Shawn P Herrera

Mary Anne Filice

Hollister School District TA 2

Elizabeth Martinez

Leonard JT Espinoza

Hollister School District TA 4

Robert Bernosky

Lisa Marks

Supervisor District 4 short term

Bob Tiffany

Robert Gibson

Keith Snow

Mike Mansmith

Dan Valcazar

Supervisor District 2

Wayne Norton

Kollin Kosmicki

Hollister Mayor

Sal Mora

Ignacio Velazquez

Hollister City Council District 1

Rick Perez

Jose Fernandez

Hollister City Council District 4

Tim Burns

Julio Rodriguez

San Juan Bautista City Council

Jackie Morris-Lopez

Nicole M Franco

Scott Freels

John Freeman

Sunnyslope County Water District

Jerry Buzzetta

Andres Builes

Jim Parker

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 1

Jeri Hernandez

Susan Postigo

San Benito County Health Care District Zone 5

Alberto Arevalo

Elizabeth Arrizon

Rick Shelton

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