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The industrial wastewater ponds historically have been a source of foul odor in Hollister, specifically in the westside, for decades. Blame has been put on city sewage infrastructure and mismanagement and/or private industry greed. This history has also included numerous opinions/offers to clean up the ponds and eliminate the smells using various stratagies ranging from scientific biological remadies to natural organic solutions.

A reality is that the City of Hollister has worked with San Benito Foods for several years now, including transferring the city’s legal obligation for pollution control to this private entity. The cannery has made progress in removing decades of sludge from one of these ponds which is a long-term solution. Regardless, the “odor” has returned and following additional citizen complaints the odors have eventually subsided.

There is no doubt that all parties involved know how to correct the problem and apparently human error or negligence is involved. Someone is not admitting to this and/or their negligence. The director of public works, the city manager and San Benito Foods are all responsible. The cannery is a vital component to our city for employment and taxes and we do not want to lose this but the citizens of the westside should not have to suffer.