Caltrans has finished one study of the ground water beneath the three 132 Freeway right of way toxic waste sites. A report completed in June 2012 by Geocon for Caltrans concluded that no chemicals related to the toxic waste sites were found in ground water beneath the sites. Some who have heard the results of the one study have the misimpression that all studies on the waste sites are […]
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Is Great Valley Congressman Jeff Denham A True Conservative?, by Bruce Frohman
Like many of us, former Modesto City Councilman Bruce Frohman has noticed that labels like “conservative” and “liberal” don’t really apply to today’s politicians and issues. Here, Frohman looks at Congressman Jeff Denham through the lens of the traditional conservative and decides that Jeff Denham isn’t really very conservative at all. Congressman Jeff Denham is a very nice fellow. He smiles a lot and has a charismatic personality. When one […]
LAFCO: Longest Rehearsal in Regional History Continues
The Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) is a government agency charged with protecting farmland and preventing sprawl. In places like Ventura, Yolo, and Sonoma Counties, LAFCO has played a major role in establishing firm boundaries to protect farmland from urban encroachment. Things are different here in Stanislaus County. “We haven’t done a very good job,” said LAFCO board member Jim DeMartini, who is also a Stanislaus County Supervisor. DeMartini […]
Are Bee Editors and MID Directors Equally Clueless About Future Water Supplies?
Sunday, July 22, the Modesto Bee’s big story was on the declining use of irrigation water by local farmers. The story was accompanied by a large photograph of Don Pedro Reservoir, full almost to the point of overflowing. Most of the story seemed to support the Modesto Irrigation District’s (MID) water sale by assuring Bee readers that the District has plenty of water. As is often the case in […]
Does the Modesto Bee Really Favor Federal Assistance for the Valley?
A recurring theme in Modesto Bee editorials over the years is the lack of assistance the San Joaquin Valley receives from our federal government. These editorials have always seemed ironic to those who’ve noticed the Bee’s consistent support for anti-government politicians like Jeff Denham. Now the Bee has a chance to show its readers where it really stands on federal assistance. Federally mandated restoration of the San Joaquin River will […]
How to Kill a River: A Media Guide
Killing a river is the outcome of a systematic process. The key is strict control of public perception throughout the process. The first and most important principle is to omit any mention of the river except when absolutely necessary. This is the single most important and easily overlooked tactic. While it may be necessary to mention the river, it is imperative that as soon as possible the river be reduced […]
The Godfather Speaks: Bob Hackamack on the Tuolumne River
Bob Hackamack is already immortalized with a portion of the Tuolumne River named for him—Hackamack’s Hole, a Class IV rapid. Fortunately for the river, Hackamack, a Control Systems and Chemical Engineer, is as adept with a slide rule as he is with a canoe or kayak paddle. Many of those who know best about protecting rivers credit Hackamack with the unique mix of passion and scientific expertise it took […]
The Year in Review: Links to Some of The Valley Citizen's Best Stories
Dedicated to the memory of John Michael Flint, The Valley Citizen launched July 14, 2011. Last week was our biggest week ever, and we’re on our way to our biggest month ever. Thank you to our readers and contributors. Those new to the site may want to read some of our more popular older stories, which are archived on the site. Here follows a review with links. One of our […]
Petition Introduced To Stop Construction Of Phase One Of Freeway 132, by Bruce Frohman
Scott Calkins is a soft spoken gentleman serving as an unpaid volunteer on the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Stanislaus Council of Governments (STANCOG). STANCOG is the lead government agency for the first phase of the Highway 132 Freeway project. The project was initiated at the behest of STANCOG. The agency is comprised of a Board of Directors who are elected public officials from the various cities and districts […]
Endangered Species: Looking for Love in All the Right Places
Friday, June 15, Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) field biologist Cory Gregory was slated to inventory the bird life on a portion of the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (SJRNW). He was on a restricted portion of the Refuge, not far as the crow flies from the publicly accessible Pelican Nature Trail. Stopping for a moment to listen to the dawn chorus of singing birds, Gregory heard a song […]