Recalled supervisor defends decision to run again at BenitoLink forum

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Candidates for local races addressed a range of issues during BenitoLink’s Sept. 17 general election candidate forum including housing, the local economy, and the future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. 

San Benito County Board of Supervisors District 5 candidates were asked about their stance on Ignacio Velazquez running for the same seat from which he was recalled in the June primary.

As he has done previously, Velazquez defended his decision to run again saying he knew a change in the state law in 2022 allowed him to run again, and continued to argue special interest groups funded the recall because of his stance on slowing residential growth.

Recall spokesperson Stacie McGrady has previously countered that she does not represent a special interest group and that it was prompted by his handling of the fire service contract between the county and Hollister and public safety funding.

“We want to protect our community,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re providing the services we need. We want to make sure we have the roads that we need. We want to make sure the schools can get the funding they need to build a good, strong community.”

Velazquez claimed about $100,000 was spent on the campaign to recall him, mostly from sources outside the community. But, according to campaign contribution reports, the committee seeking to recall him raised a total of $27,000 while Velazquez loaned himself $49,600 to fight the recall effort.

District 5 candidate Rodney Bianchi said if he were to be recalled, he would not have run to finish the term because it defeats the purpose.

“I hope the public can see through a career politician or just an everyday guy that gets up, puts his pants on, goes to work every day and is willing to work for you,” he said. 

Fellow candidate John Williams said he was surprised there was a “loophole” that allowed Velazquez to run again. He said he supported the recall and argued Velazquez was not transparent during the fire service contract negotiations between the county and Hollister, and the approval of the two Amazon facilities. 

“There have been a lot of things that Ignacio passed that I haven’t really agreed with,” he said. “There wasn’t really total transparency.”

The winner of the race would finish the remainder of the current District 5 term, which ends in 2028.

All three Hollister mayoral candidates said they supported preserving the Hollister Independence Rally tradition as long as it is financially viable, but that they would require changes. 

Mayoral candidate Christina Garza said the city could not continue to carry the financial burden and said she would seek partnerships with private sponsors and promoters. 

“We can preserve our history without placing the financial burden on taxpayers,” she said. 

Mayoral candidate Tim Burns, who previously served on the Hollister City Council starting in 2020, proposed forming a committee and having experts consult with the city on how to make it work financially. Burns also proposed looking at different locations to hold the event where the city could charge a fee for admission.

“We need to figure out the finances before we commit to anything financially with the rally,” he said. 

Mayoral candidate Scott McPhail called the rally a “glorified farmers market,” and said he could transform it into what it was in its “heyday,” but did not speak about specific actions.

“I’m in the industry of festivals and collecting money for entertainment, so I know what to do,” he said. “Give me the keys. Let me drive.”

The forum, which took place at the Granada Theater in Hollister, also included candidates for the 18th Congressional district, San Juan Bautista City Council and San Benito Health Care District. They answered a series of questions and spoke about a range of issues  from local government control to the local economy and healthcare access. 

BenitoLink also has published Q&A articles with candidates of many local races as part of the general election coverage. The Q&As can be found here. Videos of each race will be announced and available in the next few weeks.

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