John Frusetta, with Hollister School district, explained that the campus is in use day and night. Photo by Emerson Prentice
John Frusetta, with Hollister School district, explained that the campus is in use day and night. Photo by Emerson Prentice

This story was written by BenitoLink intern Emerson Prentice. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

Vacating the right of way on Nash Road as it goes through Hollister High School—an action which has been contested for years—was unanimously delayed at the Hollister City Council meeting on Sept 8. 

Councilmember Dolores Morales called for postponing a vote on the proposal after not receiving data she said was “foundational information” for the decision. 

“These are positions that have significant impact to the city’s overall general fund budget and a potential impact on people’s lives,” Morales said. 

Gates were built on a section of the roadway to block traffic in 2018 in a deal between the San Benito High School District and the city. The road bisects the school’s campus, which houses 3,400 students during the day and is closed to protect student safety while crossing. The school district is now proposing a $20,000 payment to the city to obtain the property rights to keep the gates closed full-time. 

Council members expressed concern over the impact of extending the closure on the efficiency of emergency services in Hollister. Currently, the road is closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be also closed on an as-needed basis.

“A few years back in 2000, and when I had a stroke, the ambulance took 20 minutes to get to my house,” said Debra Sotz, a community member against the closing of Nash Road. “So there is a problem with timing.”

John Frusetta, the chief business officer for the district, emphasized the necessity of the road closure because of the school’s around-the-clock schedule. 

The high school, he said, “is a hub, from sports to after-school events, you name it. If we drove around the school right now, I guarantee we would see the lights on in many rooms in many locations, and you would see many students walking around in the dark, crossing that street.”

Gordon Machado, a longtime community member, mentioned a previous plan by the school district to create an overpass to protect the safety of crossing students. Council members expressed interest in reevaluating that option. 

“This is a bad idea, I’m telling you right now,” Councilmember Rolan Resendiz said. He invited Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum to sue the county over the issue, saying “we’re not afraid of being sued.”

Both City Manager Ana Cortez and Frusetta agreed to have the necessary data ready by the council’s Oct. 19 meeting. If the council does move to vacate the right of way, an additional action will be required to transfer the road to the school district. 

Animal services concerns

The council also heard a discussion over the city’s animal services in response to “tremendous input” from the public, Cortez said. The conversation centered on the recent euthanasia of two dogs, Bubba and Stewie, and issues within the animal services department with staffing and volunteers. 

According to Captain Mike Paddy, who runs the animal control division of the Hollister Police Department, the animal services department takes 1% of the county budget, which community members urged the council to increase. 

In all, 13 community members spoke at the meeting, including volunteers and community advocates. The owners of Bubba and Stewie also spoke, expressing immense frustration with the process that led to their pets’ euthanasia. Council members requested that the dogs’ case be reevaluated and scrutinized. 

The council also expressed a desire to allocate more funds to the animal services department to address issues raised by the public, including short staffing, euthanasia practices and what was alleged to be a lack of empathy in the animals’ care. 

An animal services town hall is set for Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pauline Valdivia Community Center, where the public has been invited to further discuss issues within the department.

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