This commentary was contributed by San Benito County resident Stacie McGrady. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí. 

A “step by step” guide on how Supervisor Velasquez has manufactured the idea that the recall election is a scam.  His attempts to disenfranchise over 2000 registered voters in his district that have signed the petition demanding a recall election.

From day one, Supervisor Ignacio Velázquez attempted to undermine a legitimate recall process calling it a “scam” – long before any signature gathering ever occurred. Rather than address why thousands of residents signed the petition, he set out to discredit the process, the volunteers, and private citizens.

Here is a look at how the petition ‘scandal’ took shape.
HOW TO MANUFACTURE A SCANDAL — STEP BY STEP

Step 1: Ignore the issue. Attack the people.
When early accusations didn’t stick, Velázquez shifted to personal attacks — first against former Mayor Mia Casey, then against me as a public safety officer and co-chair of the recall committee and others.

Step 2: Invent a conspiracy.
When professional petition circulators were hired to help meet deadlines, Velazquez claimed they were funded by developers and came from L.A. The Reality? These workers were from a Santa Cruz-based company and included local residents — some of the same workers that had collected signatures for local campaigns Velazquez supported in the past. He had no issues with them then.

Step 3: Harass the petition circulators.
Supervisor Velazquez harassed petition circulators and photographed them. He followed one in his car, filmed and questioned him, then posted the video labeling it “Hollister Petition Scam.” Another worker filed a police report after being subjected to an aggressive encounter with Velazquez while she was doing her signature gathering. She quit shortly after this incident. No one should be afraid of an elected official stalking or intimidating people trying to do their jobs.

Step 4: Flood social media with the narrative.
Velazquez repeatedly posted claims on social media of a “scam,” pressuring the Elections Office to publish signature-removal information, then reposting it in order to imply misconduct and urge people to remove their signature — yet not one person filed to remove their name. He also told residents there was an “investigation” happening, even though the Elections Office confirmed at that time that there were no complaints or investigation.

Step 5: Send a mass-mailer smearing the recall effort.
Supervisor Velazquez sent out his “Hollister Enchilada” mailer, complete with photos, criminal-code citations, and baseless allegations — without properly disclosing that he was the author (that mailer is now under FPPC investigation). His statement that voters had asked to remove signatures was false–no one did.

Step 6: Build a coordinated political echo chamber.
After the recall was certified, Supervisors Kollin Kosmicki and Dom Zanger jumped in, parroting Ignacio’s messaging about a scam — raising concerns about apparent coordination among a Board majority. Kosmicki claimed circulators “lied” for mentioning firefighters and public safety, the core reasons for this recall. Zanger posted a video with similar messaging. The timing and uniformity were striking. While they have freedom of speech, they are not allowed to use their platform, office or official government pages to campaign for or against a ballot measure.

Step 7: Solicit complaints and deliver them as “evidence.”
With all 3 supervisors urging people online to contact them, a small number of complaints surfaced — these complaints were solicited, encouraged, and probably coached by these same officials campaigning against the recall. Supervisor Velázquez collected statements and delivered them to the District Attorney himself, pressing him to take action.
Step 8: Use a Board meeting as a campaign rally.

At the November 18 meeting — on an agenda item meant only for supervisors to accept the certified petition and set the election date — the majority of the Board instead turned official business into political theater. Velázquez invited his complainants to come speak and brought the District Attorney to lend weight to his narrative. Instead of performing their duties required by law, the Board instead debated the merits of the recall, accused circulators of wrongdoing, attacked individuals, and ultimately voted not to accept the petition. In doing so, they have exceeded their authority and used a public meeting to campaign against a ballot measure — something state law sharply restricts.

Step 9: Continue to campaign on official channels.
These Supervisors have continued pushing political messaging on their official government pages. Their actions raise further concerns regarding blatant misuse of public resources and improper electioneering.

Step 10: Flood the News with Your Newly Manufactured Scandal.
Now that they have finally gotten a few people convinced to file complaints they continue to amplify that message to all the local news media outlets to build it up.
A FEW DOZEN COMPLAINTS vs. 2,200+ VOTERS
A handful of after-the-fact complaints — which appear to have been solicited by Supervisors who claim people were lied to — do not negate the fact more than 2,200+ residents signed the recall petition. The late timing and political prompting behind those complaints solicited by supervisors do not invalidate a legitimate, citizen-driven recall process. Any attempt to interfere with the recall should be recognized as an attempt to disenfranchise the thousands of registered voters that signed the petition, demanding action.

WHAT THIS RECALL IS ACTUALLY ABOUT
San Benito County residents deserve a safe, functional community. They are tired of public safety being chronically underfunded while millions of dollars flow to pet projects. We expect leaders who put firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, and emergency responders first.

That is why the recall committee is named Public Safety First.
This recall began because of the disastrous, year-long fire contract negotiations with backroom dealing that left firefighters jobs hanging in the balance, put countywide fire protection at risk, and produced a final deal that continues to burden Hollister taxpayers with millions each year in county fire costs — while ignoring urgent staffing needs and driving firefighters to look elsewhere for work.

So yes — when circulators spoke about fire service, funding, and staffing, it was very relevant.
Public safety is the recall issue.
BOTTOM LINE
San Benito County deserves leaders who put community safety ahead of political self-preservation.
A manufactured scandal does not change the facts or the voters’ right to decide.
Nothing matters more than keeping our families safe.

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