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Chamber Plan Another Trojan Horse for Houses, by Bruce Frohman

Last week, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce introduced a recycled economic development plan to the citizens of Modesto and its City Council. The plan is basically a rehash of ideas previously presented to the community in the 1990’s by residential developers. The Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s plan is called “a vision” for economic development. It will primarily benefit […]

MID Finances Still Hidden Behind Media Smoke

Emerson Drake’s latest revelation about the incestuous relationship between Modesto Irrigation District (MID) board member Tom Van Groningen and the Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance (the Alliance) raises yet another red flag in the ongoing story of MID finances. Van Groningen and now-departed MID General Manager Allen Short have tried mightily to make farm water  subsidies […]

Marsh and Kieta: First Year Reviews

Roughly a year ago, Garrad Marsh and Joe Kieta took the helms of two of our most cherished institutions, the City itself and the City’s only newspaper. Faced with similar challenges in the form of falling revenue, reduced staffs, and a struggling economy, Marsh and Kieta have had only a year to turn things around. […]

Valley Jewelry and Coin Stores Fencing Stolen Goods? By Bruce Frohman

Recently, a burglary took place on the west side of Modesto. The burglars took several pieces of jewelry during a robbery conducted in broad daylight. They entered and exited through the front door of the home. After the burglary, the homeowner did what he could to recover his belongings. He filed a report with the […]

No End to Protest at Modesto Abortion Clinic, by Bruce Frohman

For a number of years—yes, years—a daily protest has been staged at an abortion clinic on the 2000 block of Coffee Road in Modesto. Protestors often have gruesome signs showing an aborted fetus and shake them at passing motorists. Many folks are weary of the perpetual argument over whether abortion should be legal. Those involved […]

Valley Emergency Room Care Resembles Third World, by Bruce Frohman

“If this is a medical emergency, dial 911.” Through the use of this one sentence, the medical profession has turned the concept of the hospital emergency room into an oxymoron. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid San Joaquin Valley emergency rooms, then you’ve missed an absolutely miserable experience. Visit any emergency room, especially on […]

Is the Bee Serious?

There are times when our beloved local newspaper outdoes even itself in high self-mockery. On those increasingly regular occasions, you have to wonder whether you’re reading the Bee or yet another clever send-up by the perpetrators of The Onion. Just consider last Wednesday’s editorial, “Water posturing stifles compromise.” The Bee couldn’t “resist pointing out the […]

Negative News? Try Modesto's Deep Denial Default

In fall, 2010, the Columbia Journalism Review’s report about the dearth of news in Modesto was met with ignorance and denial. Most Valley citizens never heard of the report; of those who did, denial has long been their default reaction to negative news about their beloved home. Sometime during the mid- to late-nineties, when Modesto […]

Why is Allen Short Still Working for the MID?

  There aren’t many occasions when a resignation isn’t really a resignation, but former Modesto Irrigation District (MID) General Manager Allen Short seems to have accomplished the paradoxical event. When Short submitted his resignation, it wasn’t the end of his tenure at the MID. As has been widely reported, Short will now lead the San […]

“Bruce Frohman on Guns, Guards, and Schools,” by Bruce Frohman

  As a result of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Valley citizens are talking about improving security at public schools. Will we be able to eliminate the possibility of violence that everyone dreads? What Gun Owners Say The consensus among gun owners seems to be that they need guns […]