The Hollister fire chief has been on paid administrative eave since last month. On Friday it was announced that Chief Mike O’Connor was placed on leave while the city investigates a personnel issue. The announcement came after many residents expressed concerns that the leave was over overtime budget concerns. Instead the city is investigating the chief on charges of possible nepotism, and will examine conditions around the former employment of his son as a reserve firefighter. The city manager has stressed this is not a criminal manner, the leave just makes personnel investigations easier on all parties. The issue is expected to be resolved next week.
