District 4 Hollister City Councilman Roy Sims announced at the Monday, March 6 council meeting that he was resigning his post effective immediately, after he and his family bought a small farm — just outside his district’s boundaries — in San Benito County that he says “is a much better place for my children to grow up in.” He had served on the council for three months and a day, having been sworn in on Dec. 5 to take the seat of his predecessor, Victor Gomez.
Mayor Ignacio Velazquez told BenitoLink after the council meeting that “we are in the process of reviewing state law on whether we can make an appointment (to fill Sims’ vacated council seat) or will we have to have a special election.” He said Sims let his fellow council members know he was in negotiations to buy a property, “but we didn’t know his final decision until tonight.”
City Manager Bill Avera, who was not at Monday’s meeting, told BenitoLink on Monday evening that the council is likely to have a special meeting on March 13, at which time the vacancy could be addressed.
“We were aware that (Sims) was in the process of buying a house, so (the resignation) didn’t come as a complete suprise,” Avera said, noting that an appointment followed by a special election is possible, but nothing had been immediately determined.
Sims told BenitoLink on Monday night that he and his family, “will be country folk with a small farm.” He was elected in November 2016 to the council seat, earning just over 55 percent of the vote, out-pacing Tim Burns.
“I will continue to do volunteer work and throw my hat into various committees and such,” Sims said, noting that he had “no specific plans at this point.” He added that during his time on the council, “I felt that I was able to give different yet relative perspective to the council. It was a difficult decision.”
On the night he was sworn in, Sims said from his new seat, “Those who were on the council in 2008 worked through a lot of major issues. We’re now in a position where we get the cherries on top and can do some amazing things. I’m excited about the vision we have and the direction we can continue going.”
At the time, Sims compared his family background to that of Gomez, saying he has relatives who worked in the fields and in public service.
“When you have those types of models in your own family, it’s amazing growing up and being able to look up to people who the community also looks up to,” he said. “I am 100 percent willing, ready and able to make whatever contribution I can to the City of Hollister.”
Velazquez said Sims’ departure shouldn’t have an immediate impact on council business, “but it’s always a good idea to have a complete council so that all the districts are represented fairly.”
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