At the September 29, 2016 Woodland West Neighborhood Association (WWNA) of Modesto meeting, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christiansen seemed overwhelmed by the law enforcement challenges his department faces. His presentation did not reassure citizens that they live in a safe community. He counseled citizens to keep all doors and windows locked, keep all possessions locked up tight, and install video cameras if one can afford to do so. At the […]
History
Oakdale Irrigation District: Endangered Species?
July 14, Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) General Manager Steve Knell circulated a letter defending the district’s business plan. OID is embroiled in a lawsuit involving the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), water sales, and a controversial fallowing program. Knell is on a campaign to justify out-of-district sales and the soundness of the business plan. For Knell, the biggest selling point of the OID business plan is the provision of water […]
Five Myths about the Homeless, Part III: The Myth of Government
Among the most powerful myths about homelessness today, the one that claims “Government can’t help” might be the most pervasive. Despite a wealth of contradictory examples, the claim sticks to people’s minds like Velcro lint. But the 2008 bailout of the U.S. auto industry wasn’t even the first time government has “helped” by saving thousands of jobs and entire corporations. Auto bailouts go back to 1979, when government intervened to […]
Five Myths about the Homeless: Part II
The Myth of Drugs When the musician and entertainer Prince died earlier this year, news that he had overdosed on the powerful opioid Fentanyl stunned his legions of fans. Though reclusive in his private life, Prince was known to prefer a vegetarian diet and healthy lifestyle. Drug use simply didn’t make sense to those who had known him only through his public image. As his addiction was confirmed, insiders spoke […]
Five Myths about the Homeless: Part I
Though political resistance to raising the minimum wage is a major factor in homelessness, it still gets little media attention. Consider this: A full-time job at today’s current minimum wage of $10 an hour would pay $1600 a month before taxes. As of July this year, average rent in Modesto is $1023 per month. But when Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation raising the minimum wage last April, Valley political leaders […]
Homeless? Join the Hunt for Affordable Housing
Jordan Herr is one of those people who had a plan right out of high school. He wanted to serve his country and build a foundation for the future, so he joined the United States Army and began saving most of his salary. “The army fed us, clothed us, and sheltered us,” said Herr recently. “There weren’t that many reasons to spend money.” Herr will never forget the special bond […]
Time to Cover Homelessness
On June 29, 2016, more than 70 media outlets in the San Francisco area are banding together to flood the news cycle with stories about homelessness. As we get closer to that date, more and more cities are signing on to do the same. Be part of the story and ask your local media to cover homelessness tomorrow. Copy the email below and send it to your local media. Dear […]
Will Mayor Brandvold Update Modesto’s General Plan?
Historically, the City of Modesto has updated its general plan about every 10 years. If the plan is revised again soon, what benefit will be derived from the $1.1 million cost to do it? Who wants the plan updated? During the Dick Lang era, the updated general plan lowered the cost of development for residential builders. Building standards were lowered and infrastructure fees were set at levels requiring massive subsidies […]
OID: If it Looks Like a Duck
News that the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) is suing two of its own board members should surprise no one familiar with OID shenanigans over the past few years. Even after two long-tenured directors were booted out by an overwhelming majority last election, OID management and three remaining directors have stubbornly refused to change direction and face the realities of a new water world. OID shares some of its problems with […]
Homeless: Are We Listening?
The June 1 meeting of the Stanislaus County’s “Focus on Prevention” homeless project featured a reality check from Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll. Let’s hope people were listening. Chief Carroll admitted that the current policy of busting and rousting homeless people doesn’t work. “It’s like squeezing a water balloon,” he said. He said that the majority of homeless people are not anti-social. He also said that most homeless people aren’t […]