To hear Congressman Devin Nunes tell it, politics and litigation are tools used solely by radical environmentalists to further their goals of depopulating the San Joaquin Valley. Nunes just published an extended diatribe arguing that “the Natural Resources Defense Council and several other environmentalist groups” are engaged in a plot to remove 1.3 million acres of San Joaquin Valley farmland from production. In what has become a recurring theme for Nunes […]
Politics
The Target on Matt Beekman’s Back
Valley citizens were outraged by the proposal of six Stanislaus County mayors to remove Hughson Mayor Matt Beekman from the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo). Important but little known (see “The Developers’ Best Kept Secret”), LAFCo regulates annexation of land to cities and allows the taking of farm land for urban development. Control of LAFCo is critical to urban developer interests. The removal was to be justified on the basis […]
Adam Gray’s Water Woes
Adam Gray’s dismissal from the state’s Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee has given him near-martyr status, at least locally. Gray tried to argue against reducing water allotments in the San Joaquin Valley. When he was removed from the Committee after a small initial success, the dismissal brought about what’s become a default water rant throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The theme? Blame the state. Subtext? Blame the “enviros.” “Yes,” say […]
Asphalt Empire Rises
The two best economic indicators last week weren’t in the business section of your daily newspaper. Instead, they came in the form of a political announcement and a little-noticed vote by one of the most obscure committees in county government. The political announcement was Dave Lopez’s formal declaration he would run for Mayor of Modesto against incumbent Garrad Marsh. Citing his opposition to Marsh’s proposal for an increase in the […]
John Gunderson’s Chainsaw Politics
In 2011, when John Gunderson ran for City Council, he had no name recognition, no apparent platform, and no history of public involvement. In interviews, he appeared bewildered by even the simplest questions. To make the race even more of a conundrum, his opponent, Phil Moyer, seemed even less ready for office. Gunderson won the election in a yawner and took office in time for one the biggest uproars in […]
RIP Dave Geer
When people heard a conservative white male with rumored Tea Party affiliations was running for City Council in Modesto’s District 2, they weren’t just puzzled, they were mystified. When he won, the victory was attributed to low voter turnout resulting from apathy. But mystification turned to pleasant surprise when Dave Geer turned out to be one of the best public servants his city and district had ever seen. Except insofar […]
Denham-Eggman Race Turns Negative
Negative flyers seem to be coming out earlier this election season. With over a month to go before the election, both candidates have already sent out multiple glossy flyers. The earlier flyers exhorted the virtues of the two candidates, incumbent Republican Jeff Denham and Democrat challenger Michael Eggman. The latest flyers have turned negative and will probably discourage citizens from voting. “I Won’t Vote For Either Clown” In past elections, […]
Can City and County Spare Wood Colony?
At the September 20 town hall meeting, Modesto Mayor Garrad Marsh proposed a solution for protecting Wood Colony from urban development. He suggested that Modesto enter into a written agreement with the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors to leave the area zoned for agriculture in perpetuity. In exchange, Modesto would drop its efforts to annex the area into the General Plan. The agreement would also need to preclude a future […]
Denham vs Eggman: Round Two
In last month’s primaries, Congressman Jeff Denham trounced newcomer Michael Eggman. Turnout was low but more people are expected to vote in the fall election. Mr. Eggman’s campaign is gearing up and the incumbent, subject to a wave of voter unhappiness, may end up in a real contest to keep his seat. Shortly after the primary concluded, Michael Eggman challenged Jeff Denham to a series of five debates. Whether or not the […]
Valley Citizens Defy Poll Data
The approval rating of Congress has hovered around nine percent for over a year. Logically, nearly every member of Congress should be turned out of office next election. Yet, Congressman Jeff Denham received a majority of total votes cast in his primary reelection bid. What is the significance of the vote?With about 17 percent of registered voters turning out in the June 3rd primary, an analysis of Jeff Denham’s election victory […]