Retiring Hollister City Clerk Geri Johnson will serve as the grand marshal for the annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show parade in downtown Hollister on June 25. San Benito County Chamber of Commerce CEO Juli Vieira told the city council on May 4 that the chamber researched records to find “there was never a grand marshal or it was stopped for some reason. This would be a fantastic year to have our first grand marshal — and what better person than Geri Johnson to be the groundbreaking grand marshal?”
Hollister City Council members praised Johnson, who was not at the meeting Monday, for her 30 years of service to the city.
“She’s a great person,” said Victor Gomez, adding that “she’s always been a great person to work with and work for.” He noted that she is “very dedicated” to her job as city clerk and that Johnson is “an awesome individual and community member as well.”
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez referred to Johnson as “Mrs. Lights On,” a reference to her involvement with the annual Lights On Parade through downtown Hollister. “Thank you for all you’ve done, Geri. We’re going to miss you here at the city.”
Councilwoman Mickie Luna, a former city employee who worked with Johnson for years, said, “we just can’t say enough about Geri and what she’s done for the city.”
For more information about the Saddle Horse Show Parade and Rodeo, click here.
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