The stories told by residents of 624 Ninth Street in Modesto sound like a dystopian nightmare. “I was in the bathroom when the ceiling caved in,” says one. “Once the ceiling came down there was a rush of water and when it stopped I looked up and saw rats looking down.” Bruce Curtis, who’s been a resident of the condemned building for three years, said the owner and manager were […]
History
Homeless: The Myth of Access
News that Stanislaus County’s Focus on Prevention program for the homeless would soon establish an access center to connect homeless people with a wide range of services was generally greeted with enthusiastic approval. Those not in the cheering section included many volunteers and professionals long-experienced at dealing with homeless people and their issues. While it may be puzzling to some why a central location with access to services doesn’t provide […]
What “Business Friendly” Means in Modesto
The Modesto Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Realtors are powerful interest groups in Modesto. They fiercely represent a privileged group of members of their organizations. For the average citizen, quality of life in Modesto is adversely affected because of their requirement that all elected officials be “business friendly.” As they tried to steer Modesto towards a better quality of life for all citizens, former mayors Peggy Mensinger and Carmen […]
Valley Winners and Losers in Gas Tax
News Item: On April 6, California’s State Legislature Increases Taxes by $5.2 Billion per year through increases on gas tax and vehicle registration. The twelve cent higher gas tax was pushed through rapidly, before opposition could be mounted. In the long run, the additional money is expected to result in great overall economic benefit to the state. Some citizens will benefit more than others. In theory, everyone in the Valley wins. Every road in […]
Judge Calls Water District’s Bluff: “It is not even close.”
At one point during the conflict between the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) and the Oakdale Groundwater Alliance (OGA), Judge Roger Beauchesne scolded OID attorneys for their use of ad hominem tactics, reminding them that personal attacks are usually attempts to hide weak arguments. But it turns out personal attacks were all OID attorneys could offer when the district’s fallowing program was challenged under the authority of the California Environmental Quality […]
Pay for 132 and Almonds Too
During the first week of March this year, laborers planted almond trees in the right of way of the future 132 Freeway/Expressway near Morse and Kansas Avenues. The new trees are almost completely hidden by tall weeds. Caltrans announced in January 2017 that the new road would be completed by 2020. The almond trees will have to be removed first—after Caltrans pays top dollar for them. Meanwhile, Caltrans says it doesn’t have […]
Mentally Ill: Modesto’s Tragedy is a Nation’s Tragedy
Modesto lost a piece of its heart last month. News that Hanibal Yadegar’s wife Evin had been shot in Ripon by a Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff drove pangs of anguish deep into the core of a community that years ago learned to love the Yadegars and their downtown restaurant. If the Gallo Theater for the Arts is Modesto’s beating heart, Hanibal and Evin Yadegars’ Barkin’ Dog Grill is its heart’s […]
Highway 132 Update: More Traffic Coming?
Earlier this month, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) unveiled a new design for the 132 West Freeway Project. The project has a new manager, and all new staff. Most of the previous management personnel involved in the project are retired. The latest iteration of the project is basically the same as the original design considered in 2014. According to Grace Magsayo, the new project manager, the primary change is a […]
Why I Don’t Want Milo Yiannopoulos on My Campus.
Merced College Lecturer in Philosophy Keith Law has a long history supporting free speech on campus, and founded “Students for Social Justice” to encourage open discussion of controversial ideas. However, he has strong objections to inviting celebrity provocateurs like Milo Yiannopolous to academic institutions. He explains why below: The wrongful violent protest that broke out on the UC Berkeley campus last week, over the speaking engagement of Breitbart “News” editor and […]
Just Another Homeless Winter
When Randy Limburg saw the crutches and wheelchair in front of the tent, his first thought was Cheri. The woman with one leg had been in the park for several years, and always refused to leave. “That you Cheri,” said Limburg. “You in there?” Probably because Cheri knew him, Limburg got a response, but he couldn’t get Cheri to come out of the tent. She answered a few questions from […]