One of Carmen Sabatino’s most ardent supporters once said, without a trace of irony, “He’s right a third of the time.” At another time, a hardened journalist who had covered Sabatino and Modesto for decades said, but not for attribution, “When Carmen’s right, he’s really right.”
Sabatino himself believed he was always right, and even though he wasn’t, he might have been more accurate about others than others were about him—at least when it came to battles in the political arena.
For years, the conventional wisdom among the local establishment about the man who became Modesto’s most unlikely Mayor was that he “was all about the money.” For anyone who knew him, the notion was absurd.
Sabatino’s attitude towards money was best expressed when someone asked him why he kept driving the same decades-old Chrysler LeBaron.
“When I put it in drive, it goes forward,” said Sabatino, “and when I put it in reverse, it goes backward. What else do I need?”
He lived modestly in a condominium not far from his restaurant on McHenry Avenue, but the restaurant was more his home than anywhere else. He was always there in the dark morning hours when it opened, and often until it closed, well after the dinner hour.
Those early mornings invariably included a review of the salvos, barrages, and blitzes aimed at his long list of enemies that would constitute the day’s content of his radio show or online news site, both of which had several incarnations over the years.
A perennial candidate, Sabatino finally won the mayor’s office in 1999. It was the biggest upset in local political history, brought on by a growing public perception of government corruption.
Given a platform provided by news coverage of city council meetings and announcements by the city’s nominal leader, Sabatino lashed out in all directions. Through nothing other than happenstance, his impact was magnified by two newcomers to the Modesto Bee, Joe Demma and Gale Hammons.
Because they weren’t part of Modesto’s inner circles of power, Demma and Hammons looked at the city and the county around it with eyes unclouded by carefully cultivated friendships, conflicts of interest, and membership in the region’s upper social echelons. They saw many of the same problems Sabatino saw.
Partly because of revelations by Sabatino about a plan for a mega-dump on the county’s west side, Demma wrote a series of stories about Stanislaus County’s employment of Lee Torrens, a friend and business partner of County CEO Reagan Wilson. Plans for the dump operated under public radar until Sabatino helped break the story open, and a growing outcry against the project thereafter pushed Wilson into retirement and brought about seismic changes on the county’s board of supervisors.
Assistant Editor for the Bee’s editorial pages, Hammons encouraged local Community Columnists to pursue stories that questioned the long-held consensus that county supervisors and their friends were above reproach. Given their willingness to ask hard questions about the heretofore unchallenged local power structure that included higher-ups at the Bee, it wasn’t long before Hammons and Demma had moved on. Speaking truth to power almost always has punishing consequences.
Sabatino incurred the wrath of the Bee’s top management in any number of ways, but especially when he ended the City of Modesto’s $90,000 a year deal with the Bee for discounted advertising rates. Sabatino thought the deal raised serious questions about conflicts of interest.
It was Sabatino, along with Modesto City Manager Jack Christ, who uncovered a multi-million dollar developers’ fees shortfall at Village I. Long-touted as a smart-growth project that would place Modesto in the forefront of examples for wise land use, Village I instead became a model for controversy and corruption.
Given Sabatino’s battering-ram impact on the region’s traditional citadels of power, a backlash was inevitable. It came in the form of 11 felony charges from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office.
The story, splashed across the front pages of the Bee, included large-scale photographs of police officers toting boxes of documents out of the mayor’s office. In retrospect, especially given evidence that turned up during his trial, the charges were part of an elaborate but flimsy frame-up.
The tipoff that the case was thinner than a gnat’s eyelash came when the DA offered to let Sabatino off with a fine of just under $5,000. Most people were stunned when the mayor chose a trial and jury instead.
In 2006, Sabatino prevailed in court with a hung jury, but his political career had been ruined. After he had lost both his campaign for reelection and his thriving downtown restaurant, many believed he was finished altogether.
But Carmen Sabatino was tougher than they thought. He was soon back in the restaurant business on McHenry Avenue, where he took over a location that had been a graveyard for two previous eateries.
The restaurant thrived, and Sabatino was a constant presence, often in back pounding away on his laptop or at a nearby table, exchanging gossip with friends. Other times he could be seen on the restaurant patio wearing headphones and a microphone as he assailed an endless list of antagonists ranging from Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson through County District Attorney Birgit Fladager and on to Mark Vasché, former Managing Editor of the Bee. His radio program generally took up the lunch hour, but could be heard most anytime by streaming.
Undeterred by his long history of political losses and unfazed by a legal battle that would have intimidated most anyone into subdued silence, Sabatino resumed his nearly constant campaign for whatever office came before him. He ran for supervisor; he ran for membership on the Modesto Irrigation District Board of Directors, and he ran for mayor. In fact, until very recently, he was crowing about running for mayor at age 82, and seemed optimistic about his chances.
“They’re all no good,” he said of his opponents. “None of them’s ever done anything. I balanced four budgets and exposed more corruption than anyone before or since.”
His public presence, frequently negative and often bitter, was contradicted by the man many knew to be kind, empathetic, and generous. He had great sympathy for poor and homeless people, and comped many a meal for those who couldn’t afford one.
In 2008, when Kristin Olsen pushed the Modesto City Council into adding to penalties for dumpster diving, Sabatino deplored the decision.
“They’re human beings,” he said of those who would be negatively affected. “How can people forget that? They’re human beings.”
A lifelong Democrat, Sabatino had friends from both political parties. He said of City Councilman Bill Conrad, a staunch Republican with whom he often disagreed, “He’s an honorable man.”
Former Modesto City Councilman Denny Jackman, learning of Sabatino’s passing while vacationing in Hawaii, said Friday,
“When first on the Modesto City Council, while Carmen was Mayor, he asked me to meet him halfway. Funny, that’s how we usually ended—half the time we agreed—and I grew from becoming his friend. Mahalo Carmen!”
In a region where most critics of the local establishment cower in fear and refrain from public comment, Sabatino stood out for his willingness to take on Goliath, toss insults at the Empire, and pull back the curtain that concealed the machinations and cronyism that too often dominate local government.
Because his character was so strong, people who knew of his recent bouts with cancer and heart disease couldn’t imagine him leaving the battles he so loved to engage. Though he looked frail in recent months, any mention of retirement from business or politics got a rise out of him reminiscent of his fiery days in office.
Those with any sense of local history well know that even though he was too often scattershot and vindictive, he was also victimized and laid low by people of far less integrity. Carmen Sabatino may have left the battlefield, but the banners he placed for transparency in government still fly from Modesto’s high ground. His like won’t be seen again.
Proud to say Mayor Sabatino and I actually got along. He didn’t have any problem with allowing me a soap box now and then. I thought he was a pretty tough guy.
Carmen was one of the most interesting characters I have ever met. He attacked corruption with a passion as Mayor, but was then turned out of office by bogus allegations of corruption. During his last year in office, I repeatedly told him that he needed to clear his name before the election. He said he was not worried, that he had faith that the people would see through a false and malicious prosecution.
When he was finally acquitted, I asked him if he would sue for the damages he incurred during the prosecution. Never concerned about accumulating wealth, he did not want to expend the effort seeking revenge.
Carmen thought I was naive about the community. He said there were a lot of evil people out there and took it upon himself to go after them like a knight out to vanquish corruption. He thrived on disruption of local big shots and felt akin to the common man.
Stabilizing utility rates for the average citizen was as satisfying as purging subsidies given by the former City Council. Having a city purchasing agent who obtained the best possible deal was as important as balancing the budget.
As a disruptor, Mayor Carmen did not receive the full respect an office holder would expect to receive. The social snubs never seemed to bother him, but he was very private in expressing his feelings, so I could not tell for sure.
Carmen relished his feud with the Modesto Bee, laughing as he said it was foolish to argue with a business that buys ink by the barrel.
By the time Carmen left office, Modesto had balanced the budget, ceased to increase City debt, eliminated nearly all subsidies previously granted to special interests, and found the economy more robust than when he entered office.
But due to the accusations of committing felonies and an onslaught of criticism from those whose subsidies had been eliminated, Mayor Sabatino left office with a tarnished reputation and a public mostly unaware of the real accomplishments of his term in office.
Like Jake Lamotta, the Raging Bull, he was beaten mercilessly, but never submitted and was never defeated. For the last 17 years of his life, he continued to battle those who wronged him while continuing to make a difference.
Sabatino’s restaurant was like a symbol of what he wanted for his community. He delivered the best food possible to his community of customers in a nice environment. His enemies stayed away from his restaurant, but wrote fake negative reviews, trying to put him out of business. His customers knew better and a core of regulars sustained the business.
Carmen lived his life in public service. The restaurant was his way to continue public service up until his death.
Because of his many battles, Carmen Sabatino is probably one of the most misunderstood public figures in Modesto history. I was honored to know him and to work with him. We always got along because we shared ideals about government free of corruption and the nobility of public service.
Mayor Carmen Sabatino spent the last 30 years fighting greedy developers all the while trying to make Modesto a better place to live. The Village 1 debacle created by the BIA Building Industry Association and culminating in the greatest bait and switch act Modesto has ever seen. helped to thrust him into the Mayor’s office.He never gave up the good fight. He will be missed.
Thanks for sharing
Carmen once asked me to come to his government class and talk about the courts and court processes. I asked him what he wanted me to convey. He smiled and replied that students (he didn’t say “his” students) needed to learn civics. I respected that belief then as much as I do now.
Carmen and I didn’t always agree. I always figured that was natural because I was part of the justice system that didn’t always go the way Carmen thought it should have gone. He had a few colorful words but they were never personal, i.e., no name calling. Carmen was colorful. He said what he was thinking. I wonder sometimes what it might have been if tweeting was as popular then as it it now.
Rest in peace Carmen, you made your mark.
Thanks for sharing, Eric. And thanks, Carmen, for your fight.
Thank you for sharing an accurate account of Carmen’s life and legacy. He was kind and controversial, and I always enjoyed his updates on the city and county’s shenanigans. My condolences to his friends and family. RIP Mayor.
Grand essay about Carmen, Eric.
I’ll miss his Huevos Rancheros too. I hope his M Grill can continue as a tribute to him.
RIP Dear Carmen – My Husband Frank and I always enjoyed our meals at Sabatinos but most of all it was our engaging conversations with you . The attention you gave us , joining our table and giving us a look into your life and your opinions on simply everything.- we both will miss.
Miss your hugs and often times walking us to our car at the end of our meal .
I enjoyed your sharp Sense of humor
I learned so much about Modesto and our conversations about current events were always so colorful you were so sharp and so smart I’ve never known anyone like you and I’m sure you will never be matched.
I adored you and I will miss you dearly.
RIP Dear Carmen. Affectionately. Susan Candito
Carmen you will be missed dearly, By your good friend Jeremiah and the family. You was always so good to us, always made sure we was taken care of. I always remember you, your kindness , the great food. All the talks you had with Jeremiah.. Good times enjoying you and Mindy during breakfast or dinner..I’m glad I was able to spend time with you, in your last day. RIP..We Love you.
I had the opportunity speak with Carmen Sabatino a few times and enjoyed those conversations. He really did a number of good things as mayor that were mentioned above. I used to listen to his daily radio show. I found many of the topics interesting. Unfortunately, his show was taken off AM radio. I also think later on his ongoing feud with some the players from the past clouded his judgement in reference to current events.
Well I spent many years disliking Mr. Sabatino. When I was going to school at Beyer way back in the early 70’s he busted me in the parking lot for ditching class and got me suspended for a day or two. Well I never forgot that and every time I saw his name in the paper I would say to my wife that darn Sabatino he busted me for ditching and got me suspended. So to say the least I was never a fan of his. Well last year my Family and I went to his restaurant and Mr. Sabatino was in the parking lot so I approached him and introduced myself and told him about him busting me for ditching class so many years ago. He said”Well how did you turn out, what are you doing now?” I told him I became a Civil Engineer… He said “Well I guess I did good then”… We shook hands and I agreed with him. Since then we frequented the restaurant many times, it has been our favorite place for breakfast. I will miss him. My sincere condolences to his Family. God Bless
At many city council meetings over the last five years, two people spoke during public comment. Myself and Carmen. I had one subject he had many. We both thought the board of supervisors had to answer to us. He explained that the district investigators believe they are above the law and such conduct is allowed by the district attorney. He was an intelligent and thoughtful man and will be missed.
We were right and they are wrong. Margaret Countryman
I remember jazz and oysters on Friday nights in the early 80s upstairs at the City Limit restaurant. Classy, fun, happening. In Modesto. Thanks, Carmen.
Carmen fought city hall with a passion primarily because he saw what was really happening while most of the general public only saw what the Bee was publishing . He was a modern day Frank Andrews who during the fifties also attacked the cronies at city hall. The Bee was not kind to him as well. We need people like them to keep us informed as to what is really happening. Let truth prevail
The people in government are human they commit errors as well It’s up to us the public to help them up with slight admonishment.
I miss you Carmen. There will never be another restaurant like yours.