HOLLISTER, Calif., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The southern California town made famous by the 1953 cult classic "The Wild One" is pitched in debate over canceling the annual Fourth of July biker rally.
The City Council of Hollister voted this month to cancel the rally because of the rising cost of security that the organizers refuse to pay, against the wishes of Mayor Robert Scattini, who himself rides a Harley Davidson.
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hall is behind canceling the event that draws tens of thousands of bikers for the event, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Hall calls the rally "a dirty, rotten, stinking event" that draws both Hells Angels and Mongols gang members that he said had a tense face-off at last July's rally.
In 2004, state law enforcement officials began charging for security and traffic enforcement, and last year, the city paid $250,000 after promoters balked at paying the bill.
"This city is shooting itself in the foot," Scattini said. "These cyclists are coming (anyway). And without sponsors, we're going to get stuck with a big bill. And then I'm going to go before the City Council and say, 'I told you so.'"
