• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Valley Citizen

Pursuing truth toward justice

The Valley Citizen

Pursuing truth toward justice
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Environment
  • History
  • Nature
  • Politics
  • Wit
  • About

Damrell Easy Choice for Supervisor

May 20, 2018 By Eric Caine Leave a Comment

Two Modesto icons

There’s probably no better contrast in the race for supervisor in Stanislaus County’s District 4 than that between Frank Damrell and his opponents Tom Berryhill and Janice Keating. Everything about Frank Damrell represents Modesto’s and the county’s better days, while too much about Berryhill and Keating reminds us of the calumny and corruption in the era of Trump.

Steve Ringhoff’s excellent report about Tom Berryhill’s violations of rules required by the Fair Political Practices Commission is a cogent reminder of the casual corruption that runs rampant in today’s politics. In 2014, Berryhill paid a $40,000 fine for what amounted to a money-laundering scheme for campaign funds illegally provided by his brother.

Lately, there have also been questions about Berryhill’s health. Editors at the Modesto Bee wrote on April 21, “We sincerely feel Berryhill should concentrate on regaining his health. Judging from recent public appearances, he is not up to serving as a county supervisor.”

If Tom Berryhill represents one side of our new politics, Janice Keating represents another. Styling herself a watchdog over government waste and corruption, Keating stunned colleagues on the Modesto City Council when she billed the city for expenses incurred driving from her home to council meetings—a round trip of five miles. In all, Keating billed more for expenses than any other councilmember.

But her chintziness is just one aspect of Keating’s approach to public service. Another is her promotion of hate mongers like Ann Coulter and Sheriff David Clarke, both of whom were brought here by the local Republican Party. As Executive Director of the Republican Party of Stanislaus County, Keating has been an avid promoter and cheerleader for the divisiveness, xenophobia, and contempt for law represented by Coulter, Clarke, and others like them.

If we are ever to escape the dysfunction in today’s government, we have to bring people together again. Frank Damrell, a quiet pragmatist respected by everyone who knows him, is uniquely suited to work with others toward real solutions to our problems without resorting to party preferences or rigid ideology.

Damrell is one of those “people-persons” who used to be regular features of downtown Modesto. When Frank Damrell sees someone he knows or meets someone new, his face lights up, his smile spreads, and his eyes twinkle. This is a man who loves people.

And while Damrell may be easy-going and friendly, he’s also not afraid to work hard and often to get things done. As an aide to California State Senator Kathleen Galgiani, Damrell frequently takes on the underappreciated scut work of researching and building consensus for legislation, as well as attempting to address the complex problems of constituents in need.

Damrell is also in unusually good shape. Every year, he and his family swim from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco as part of a charity event for TeamHydro. Damrell describes the event as an illustration of his political philosophy:

“Every time I swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, I have to keep a straight course. The only way I can keep a straight course is by listening to people on both sides of me, so I listen to people on my right and I listen to people on my left. That’s my philosophy of life and politics.”

Frank Damrell chose to run for supervisor in Stanislaus County because he believes in community service and has an unusual capacity to work for the good of the region. He’s an easy choice for supervisor in Stanislaus County’s District Four.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Politics Tagged With: Frank Damrell, Frank Damrell for Supervisor, Janice Keating, Janice Keating for Supervisor, Tom Berryhill, Tom Berryhill for Supervisor

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Note: Some comments may be held for moderation.

Primary Sidebar

Off The Wire

Biden restores roadless protection to the Tongass, North America's largest rainforest
Biden restores roadless protection to the Tongass, North America’s largest rainforest
The Tongass National Forest in Alaska, a focus of political battles over old-growth logging and road-building in forests for decades, has received new protection from the Biden administration.
theconversation.com
As California?s climate heats up, Valley fever spikes ? especially on Central Coast
As California’s climate heats up, Valley fever spikes, especially on Central Coast
Because the fungus that causes the disease spreads easily in hot, arid conditions, the number of cases will grow, UC Berkeley study says
www.mercurynews.com
Activists sue to block Newsom's homeless mental illness treatment program
Activists sue to block Newsom’s homeless mental illness treatment program
Gov. Gavin Newsom championed compelled mental health treatment for homeless Californians. Now, activists are trying to stop it before it gets off the ground.
sjvsun.com
The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right
The Rise of Spirit Warriors on the Christian Right
How an extreme transformation in American religion poses an existential threat to our democracy
newrepublic.com
Gimme Shelter: Mayor Karen Bass on homelessness and the California housing crisis
Gimme Shelter: Mayor Karen Bass on homelessness and the California housing crisis
Liam Dillon and Ben Oreskes of the L.A. Times interview Mayor Karen Bass about homelessness and housing problems in California.
calmatters.org
A Water War Is Brewing Over the Dwindling Colorado River
A Water War Is Brewing Over the Dwindling Colorado River
This story first appeared at ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative…
talkingpointsmemo.com
At Last, a Real Possibility to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Change
At Last, a Real Possibility to Avoid Catastrophic Climate Change
After decades of minimal action, Congress passed the largest and most comprehensive piece of climate legislation in U.S. history. Will we make the most of this opportunity?
www.audubon.org
ACLU sues Phoenix over homeless sweeps, citations
ACLU sues Phoenix over homeless sweeps, citations
The ACLU of Arizona has filed a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix over cleanup sweeps of homeless encampments.
www.azcentral.com
'Full-on crisis': Groundwater in California's Central Valley disappearing at alarming rate
‘Full-on crisis’: Groundwater in California’s Central Valley disappearing at alarming rate
Excessive groundwater pumping has long been depleting aquifers in California’s Central Valley. Now, scientists say the depletion is accelerating.
www.latimes.com
San Francisco?s homeless sweeps are unlawful ? and the city will pay for it
San Francisco’s homeless sweeps are unlawful and the city will pay for it
San Francisco’s campaign to remove homeless people from the streets clearly violates…
www.sfchronicle.com
A year after opening 600 rooms to L.A.'s unhoused, the Cecil Hotel is still mostly empty. Here's why
A year after opening 600 rooms to L.A.’s unhoused, the Cecil Hotel is still mostly empty. Here’s why
The Cecil Hotel was supposed to be an innovative new model for permanent supportive housing in L.A. Why is it struggling to fill rooms?
news.yahoo.com
Fentanyl on campus: One Bay Area school saved a student?s life. Another missed the signs of an overdose. Is your school ready?
Fentanyl on campus: One Bay Area school saved a student’s life. Another missed the signs of an overdose. Is your school ready?
Suddenly, Bay Area schools are playing a critical role in combating the alarming rise of fentanyl that is spilling onto high school campuses. But a Bay Area News Group survey found most may not be….
www.mercurynews.com

Find us on Facebook

The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Footer

The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Subscribe for Free

* indicates required

Search

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 The Valley Citizen

Dedicated to the memory of John Michael Flint. Contact us at thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Editor and publisher: Eric Caine

Website customization and maintenance by Susan Henley Design