One only needs to read House Representative Tom McClintock’s newsletters to realize how useless he is to the nation, his district, and his constituents. Now that he is up for re-election this year, he has started sending out newsletters extolling his accomplishments after months of silence. Reading and analyzing the newsletter, one may readily discern that what he is doing is either meaningless or counter to what is in the […]
Should Tom McClintock Retire From Congress?
When Congressman Tom McClintock’s district was redrawn two years ago, the area he serves substantially shifted. Within the newly drawn boundaries, the needs of his constituents are different. As a result, the Congressman is out of touch with voters he represents. Mr. McClintock has been intermittently sending out email newsletters to those who signed up for them. The purpose of the newsletters should be to inform his constituents as to how […]
Three U.S. Senate Candidates Appear At Harder Family Picnic
Saturday, August 26, 2023, three candidates for U.S. Senate appeared at Congressman Josh Harder’s family picnic, held on the grounds of the Albert Lindley House in Stockton, California. Representatives Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff seek the same seat to represent California. All three appear well qualified and deserving of a place in the U.S. Senate. As Josh Harder remarked, California should have three positions open in the Senate […]
Illegal Fireworks are Out of Control says Former Councilmember
In an ordinary year, the Modesto Police Department issues between 10 and 20 citations for fireworks violations. This year, 45 citations were issued on the night of July 4 alone. Firefighters and police responded to 274 calls in the twenty-four hour period between 7am July 4 and 7am July 5, including 65 fires. Below, former Modesto City Councilmember Bruce Frohman argues that we need stricter regulations or an outright ban […]
“River Islands”: The Ultimate Bad Idea for Residential Development
Listeners to Bay Area radio stations frequently hear advertisements for a massive Lathrop residential project called “River Islands.” The advertisements tout home construction by a group of award-winning homebuilders on secluded islands in the San Joaquin River Delta. The ads go on to boast six restaurants to serve residents, one new fire station and a new police station, as well as a plethora of recreational activities. Ads rarely live up to […]
Frohman: Fix Modesto’s Three Can Catastrophe Now
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen recently advised a disgruntled citizen that the city’s new three-can collection program for garbage waste is only a six-month “pilot program.” While most pilot programs are tested in small areas of town, the Modesto City Council implemented the garbage collection experiment throughout the city, formulating rules with minimal citizen input. Now, the consequences of their dubious decisions have affected the entire city. At the end of […]
Is Modesto’s New Blue Can Worth the Trouble?
For Modesto residents, the New Year is already more troublesome and more expensive, and it’s only just begun. The new one percent sales tax increase and higher garbage collection rates are bad enough. Then there’s the new recycling program and its complicated disposal system. As the city’s website says, all residences must have three large waste cans — blue, black, and green — even though they may have space enough […]
Two Views of Modesto’s Proposed Sales Tax Increase
Former Modesto City Councilmember Bruce Frohman always offers thoughtful analysis on issues involving local government. Below, he argues against Measure H, Modesto’s proposed sales tax increase. Following Bruce’s argument, The Valley Citizen presents its own argument in favor of Measure H. Ever since Proposition 13 passed in 1978, cities throughout California have seen their budgets shrink via inflation. While total dollars in Modesto’s annual budget have swelled from about $200 […]
Valley Drivers Ripped Off by Big Oil — Electric Costs to Rise
Former Modesto City Councilmember Bruce Frohman earned a reputation as a zealous defender of taxpayer dollars when he was in office. He’s still careful with his hard-earned dollars. Like many of us, he’s incensed that oil companies are making huge profits while many of us struggle with rising gas prices. ed As I write this, I am away on business in Colorado. During my trip, I am noticing gasoline prices […]
Raise Taxes? City Residents are Already Taxed Twice
Ever since the Dick Lang administration of the 1990’s, Modesto City Government has been perpetually broke. Subsequent city leaders have had very little discretionary money with which to operate. The present city council is considering whether to ask voters to approve a special sales tax within Modesto to alleviate ongoing budget shortfalls. To decide whether approval of a new sales tax increase is warranted, voters need to understand how Modesto […]