 On The Line -- Issue 615 -- December 29, 2006  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 615 -- December 29, 2006 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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The traditional round of parties during the Christmas season included another this year. Many people participated in it and although it was merry, it had undertones of poignancy that everyone felt.
The occasion was a reception for San Benito County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder John R. Hodges in his upstairs offices in the courthouse. Hodges announced earlier in the year that he was not going to seek re-election for the post to which he was elected in 1980. A testimonial dinner will be held in his honor on his birthday, Feb. 16, but his staff wanted him to have an opportunity to visit with many friends informally, so they saw to the ordering of hors d'oeuvres, invited county workers and other friends, and set up the buffet tables. Chief among those doing the work were Lillian Pereira, Kim Hawk, Lupe Maldonado and Phyllis Lanini, with assists from others in the office. Michael Hodges, the honoree's son and coordinator of county elections, was there before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, with his camera to record the occasion. Practically everyone who showed up got a picture taken with the senior Hodges. Michael Hodges retook a few because the digital apparatus allowed him to see if they were keepers or needed another shot. Sandra Avila, Dianna Smith, and Deanna Gutierrez were wearing their biggest smiles, which made the department's normal illumination almost unnecessary. Adding to the wattage were Rita Leon, Stefanie Leon and Barbara Lerma. Sharon West, Angie Molina, Monique Rueda and Nancy Santos all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Larry Chapin and Lawrence Gourley arrived with Joe Paul Gonzalez soon after the festivities commenced and immediately fell into the spirit of them. Gonzalez will succeed Hodges in January. He ran unopposed for the position in the June primary after Hodges announced he was going to retire when his present term expires. Like Hodges, Gonzalez is a former mayor of Hollister. A wag got a double-take from Gonzalez when he said Hodges had appeared briefly before the Board of Supervisors, meeting that same day, to say that as a farewell gesture he suggested cutting the County Clerk/Registrat/Recorder's salary in half to save the county money. Quite a buffet spread was put out on several tables and guests lost no time in helping themselves to miniature sandwiches, meatball, cheeses, crackers, dips, casseroles, cake and cookies. An urn of coffee and a large bowl of punch were on hand. The atmosphere was relaxed as everyone there either worked with Hodges or knew him well. Eva Reyna and Ruth Erickson found much to talk about as they ate and both recalled anecdotes about the guest of honor. Among the guests were Bob and Debbie Gansberger. She is the daughter of Millie Robbins who also ran for the post the year that Hodges was elected. Cindy Silva showed up while they were exchanging reminiscences and was duly photographed with Hodges. Mary Lou Andrade stopped by for awhile and was talked into having a small slice of the large cake ordered for the occasion. Ron Rodrigues came in with his easy smile. He knew everyone there and was deep in conversation almost immediately. Another long-time county employee, Domingo Rea, also got a lot of congratulations and wishes for a happy retirement. Rea has been in Maintenance for more than 20 years and is scheduled to end his county career on Dec. 29. Marv and Reba Jones arrived. They are political activists and stolid soldiers in the county Republican Central Committee, and have met many people more quickly than they would have if they were not. It is always good to see Gil Solorio. He is a quiet, unassuming man but brought many skills to bear when he filled the post of county administrative officer, and filled in on a temporary basis when it became vacant again. Hodges, meantime, was moving from one guest to another, getting photographed with them, exchanging reminiscences, seeing that newcomers were directed to the buffet table, and taking calls on the telephone from friends who could not attend the reception. George Lake engaged him in conversation for awhile, then Fulton Picetti, for a longer time. Some of Picetti's long-time friends still cannot accommodate themselves to the knowledge that he is 90 as he looks and acts much younger. Picetti and the late Russell Hodges, John Hodges' father, served together many years on the Saddle Horse Show board. Architect David Huboi came in to pay his respects. His friendship with Hodges dates only from the beginning of this year but the latter has made a deep impression upon him. Tom and Karen Breen arrived to the reception when it was in full swing and became part of it immediately. He is a retired Superior Court judge, and she serves on Hodges' staff. Tom Breen and Hodges are also old friends. Another surge of guests came in when the Board of Supervisors finished its business for the day. Chief among them was Reb Monaco, wearing the traditional Santa's cap, with colleague Jaime De La Cruz right behind him. Robert Scattini came in then, and -- have you guessed it? -- was photographed with Hodges. Shortly afterward, Fernando Gonzalez, brother of Joe Paul Gonzalez and a former Hollister mayor, arrived. Fernando Gonzalez told of running into Hodges at the state Capitol earlier in the month. He was there to see Anna Caballero take her seat in the state Assembly, and Hodges and Joe Paul Gonzalez were attending a meeting of state county clerks. The two Gonzalezes, incidentally, are the only brother team in Hollister's history to have each served as mayor. Curtis Hill, Pat Turturici and Lori Woodle arrived from the Sheriff's Department together and got a big welcome. Hill's father, Harry Hill II, is still going strong at 93 --or is it 94? -- and is one of the few county residents who can call Fulton Picetti "kid." Josie Gallegos and Geri Johnson laughed together over something. They always seem to be happy. Jim Pleyte got a few laughs himself from remarks made to friends, among them Geri Johnson and Tom Slavich. Slavich and Hodges hurried over to greet Arnold Fontes when he arrived. Fontes succeeded Hodges many years ago as county Assessor, and Slavich succeeded him upon his retirement early last year. Many of the women embraced Fontes and all the men shook his hand. And so, John Hodges' long career with the county hastened toward its end. Retirement comes to most officials, and he will be among those who will be missed. His friends will remember his career for a long time and all the changes for the good that it brought about. |
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