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Eric Caine

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Eric Caine formerly taught in the Humanities Department at Merced College. He was an original Community Columnist at the Modesto Bee, and wrote for The Bee for over twelve years.

Prospect of Anti-Incumbent Fever Has Sabatino Pondering Council Run

Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour appeared more than a little miffed at the Bee last Wednesday night during the City Council’s discussion of the SCAP flap. Ridenour kept emphasizing that the issue had to be decided on the facts and according to the rules, not by what people read in the newspaper, as though the facts […]

Tour Memory Lane in Village I with Bill Zoslocki

“’We never had control of the process — ever,’” said [Bill] Zoslocki, a member of the Building Industry Association of Central California board who insisted he was only speaking for himself. “’Everybody needs to get off their soap box.’” This was nearly a decade ago, back in September, 2002, when the Village I fees shortfall […]

In Memoriam: John Michael Flint

The Valley Citizen is dedicated to the memory of John Michael Flint. Flint had several careers over his lifetime, including as a local radio talk show host, and a career in the early days of computing. It was as a Community Columnist for the Modesto Bee that people remember him best. A self-confessed political junkie, his […]

Zoslocki Comes Out Swinging at Candidates' Forum

Modesto Mayoral candidate Bill Zoslocki came out swinging for growth at the July 20 luncheon at Modesto’s Vintage Gardens. The sparsely attended forum was advertised as a benefit for the group, “Advancing Vibrant Communities,” and offered candidates the opportunity to speak at length about their plans and vision. Four candidates attended, including favorites Garrad Marsh […]

Denham to Sacrifice Wild and Scenic on an Altar of Houses

Once in office, Congressman Jeff Denham wasted no time introducing legislation all too typical of the far right’s assault on the public interest. HR 869 looks innocuous enough on its surface. Touted as another, “jobs, jobs, jobs,” project, the Bill would raise the height of the Exchequer Dam. Denham claims, The benefits of this law […]

The New Invisible Government and the Assault on the American Public

Lost in the anti-government, anti-tax, pro-business rhetoric which has become the vocal currency of the day is an insidious assault on the American public. Those who know their American history realize there’s nothing new in dominance of our political institutions by wealthy elites. Old Ben Franklin feared the anti-democratic leanings of both George Washington and […]

Frohman: Marsh for Mayor

Former Modesto City Councilman Bruce Frohman says, “Garrad Marsh will give the people of Modesto the best service for their tax dollars.” A close follower of local political issues for decades and a strong believer in farmland protection, Frohman has an insider’s knowledge of the local political scene. He’s also got a pretty good track […]

How Growth Happens and Why

Residents of the Northern San Joaquin Valley who worry about sprawl, loss of farmland, loss of wildlife and open spaces, water quantity and quality and all the other issues associated with population growth have been fighting a rear guard action for years now. After decades of concern, they’re still looking at steady losses in farmland […]

CEQA in the San Joaquin Valley: A Boon to Citizens

Shrouded in mystery and misinformation, and once again under intense attack by developer-driven politicians, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is one of the least understood and most powerful weapons Valley citizens have against the negative effects of growth and sprawl. Perhaps because it’s associated with lawyers and litigation, CEQA has never been recognized as […]

Banned by the Bee: Flint's Spiked Column

August 3, 1997, under a headline that read, “We’re offering differing points of view,” the Modesto Bee announced a new program for the OP/ED page. The idea was the brain child of then publisher Orage Quarles III, who wanted to encourage community participation on the Opinions page. After a contest that featured 249 entries, the […]