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

The Valley Citizen

Nature, Environment, History & Politics

The Valley Citizen

  • Arts
  • Education
  • Environment
  • History
  • Nature
  • Politics
  • Wit
  • About
  • RSS Icon

Sue Zwahlen Will Put Modesto Back in Business

January 7, 2021 By Eric Caine 6 Comments

Sue Zwhalen
Sue Zwahlen

There was little to learn from Wednesday’s debate between Sue Zwahlen and Modesto City Councilmember Doug Ridenour. Sponsored by the Modesto Bee, the debate stumbled through technical problems and distraction from the tumult in Washington DC.

Neither Ridenour nor Zwahlen could muster much passion; they clearly like and respect one another. Ridenour was most animated when questioned about his failures to wear a mask during the earlier stages of the pandemic; clearly irritated, he admitted he’d made mistakes and said that he had corrected them.

Ridenour’s response to the Coronavirus, however, has been much like that of other supporters of Donald Trump, including Stanislaus County Supervisors Terry Withrow and Jim DeMartini, both of whom have endorsed and supported Ridenour.  A major reason Stanislaus County has remained among the worst regions in the state for Covid infections and deaths has been the desultory and even defiant responses to science by local leaders. As of January 7, Stanislaus County ranked third in the state in deaths from the Coronavirus per 100,000 residents, at 120.3.

Though we respect Doug Ridenour’s long community service as Modesto Police Officer, his term on the Modesto City Council has been marked by rancor and dysfunction, and he’s been at the center of much of it, including a costly investigation that could carry over into the new term. Ridenour’s troubles have been with city staff; for comparison, consider Jim Gain’s comments about Sue Zwahlen’s relationship with Modesto City School’s staff members:

I have known Sue since the late 70s, but I really got to know her on a deeper level when she joined the Modesto City School Board of Education. As I ran the video stream for the Board meetings, we were able to have many relaxed, off-the-record conversations about the challenges and benefits of technology in education. She was intrigued about the possibilities of technology and always wanted to learn more.

What inspired me the most about Sue was the way she interacted with all MCS staff, no matter their position or title. As a member of the District’s Technology Committee, she made an effort to get to know each of the other members and to understand how their job position in the district influenced their perspectives. She provided keen insight while always approaching conversations from the perspective of the learner.

Now retired, Jim Gain was formerly Modesto City School’s Supervisor of Instructional Technology.

Sue Zwahlen and Josh Harder
Sue Zwahlen endorsed by Josh Harder

Under current leadership, Modesto has stumbled through the Covid pandemic. Its leaders have complained about closures, frequently appeared in public without masks, and questioned the recommendations of qualified experts. It’s critical we subdue the virus so we can reopen. A retired Emergency Room nurse, Sue Zwahlen is exceptionally qualified to assess and respond to the biggest crisis in our city’s recent history.

Doug Ridenour’s experience as a Modesto City Police Officer is valuable and much appreciated, but overall crime is down in Modesto, and especially if interim Chief Brandon Gillespie is appointed to replace Galen Carroll, we can expect a seamless continuity of outstanding law enforcement. The problems of today demand comprehension of the severity of the pandemic, the ability to work with others, and a firm understanding of what it will take to get us back in business.

Two of Modesto’s finest mayors were Peggy Mensinger and Carol Whiteside, women who knew leadership begins with respect for others. Since their terms, the city has too often lacked direction and focus.

Sue Zwahlen’s term on the Modesto City School Board was marked by comity and success; graduation rates increased by almost 13%. She’s been endorsed by virtually everyone she worked with. During this time of critical emergency, we need someone for whom emergencies were a career and public service a duty. We need Sue Zwahlen.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Sue Zwahlen, Sue Zwahlen for Mayor, Sue Zwahlen for Mayor of Modesto

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. al Lucchesi says

    January 8, 2021 at 9:50 am

    I saw the video and the technical problem. I agree with this article and it’s a good assessments Sue should be our next mayor

    Reply
  2. Tom Myers says

    January 8, 2021 at 9:56 am

    Excellent article in support of Sue. Jim Gain’s testimonial was very relevant. We need a leader who will listen and is open to new ideas.

    Reply
  3. Rachel says

    January 11, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    The hypocrisy…. when you have Sue taking pictures posing with a mask on and then posing with the mask off in the same photo??? Posted on her Facebook. Seems like trump supporter behavior to me. What example does that set?

    Reply
    • Eric Caine says

      January 12, 2021 at 8:48 am

      Rachel: I don’t have Sue “posing” anywhere. The photos in the story are from 2018. Do you think it inconceivable there would be pictures of someone, anyone, available with or without a mask? As for Trump supporters, we know who they are. Sue is NOT a Trump supporter. By the way, who are you supporting for mayor?

      Reply
      • Rachel Fredrick says

        January 12, 2021 at 10:30 am

        The carpenters 151 photo on her page… go look. I voted for naramsen and am not voting in the run off. Sue is backed by big money dems look at her funding. I’m tired of these fake politicians trying to buy elections

        Reply
        • Eric Caine says

          January 12, 2021 at 2:46 pm

          Rachel: Naramsen went into the General Election with far more money than Sue; he was a good candidate. if you wish to support Republicans by refusing to vote for Democrats, it’s your call.

          Reply

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

Warren: Voters Must Elect Dems In Midterms Who Would Nix Filibuster To Codify Roe
Warren: Voters Must Elect Dems In Midterms Who Would Nix Filibuster To Codify Roe
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on Sunday said she views the midterm elections…
talkingpointsmemo.com
A Farmer’s Quest to Beat California’s Waves of Drought and Deluge
A Farmer’s Quest to Beat California’s Waves of Drought and Deluge
Don Cameron went all in on a trickle-down survival tactic. It could help save America’s agricultural heartland—even if he doesn’t survive the new water war.
www.wired.com
Ten Ways Billionaires Avoid Taxes On An Epic Scale
Ten Ways Billionaires Avoid Taxes On An Epic Scale
This article first appeared at ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative…
talkingpointsmemo.com
A South Texan?s Wild, Life-affirming Quest to Break a National Birding Record
A South Texan’s Wild, Life-affirming Quest to Break a National Birding Record
When she began her year-long bird-spotting adventure, Tiffany Kersten was lost and lonely. She ended up achieving a major milestone and finding her way.
www.texasmonthly.com
Ron Johnson tried to hand fake elector info to Mike Pence on Jan. 6, panel reveals
Ron Johnson tried to hand fake elector info to Mike Pence on Jan. 6, panel reveals
A top aide said the Wisconsin Republican senator wanted to give Pence the list of pro-Trump electors as he prepared to certify the 2020 election.
www.politico.com
Raffensperger says he wishes Fox News carried every Jan. 6 hearing
Raffensperger says he wishes Fox News carried every Jan. 6 hearing
“I think it would have helped our party heal, given [people] more facts.”
www.axios.com
'Not safe anymore': Portland confronts the limits of its support for homeless services
‘Not safe anymore’: Portland confronts the limits of its support for homeless services
Homeless encampments now spill well beyond Portland’s downtown core, dividing a city that has invested liberally in support services.
www.latimes.com
Republicans Will Do It Again
Republicans Will Do It Again
They have not been chastened by the revelations of the January 6 committee.
nymag.com
Birdman
Birdman
Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife
www.earthisland.org
The Potato Roll Empire Bankrolling Christian Nationalist Doug Mastriano
The Potato Roll Empire Bankrolling Christian Nationalist Doug Mastriano
The Martins were bit players in politics, until they put Doug Mastriano one step away from becoming Pennsylvania’s next governor.
nymag.com
Roger Stone and Michael Flynn under fire over rallies ‘distorting Christianity’
Roger Stone and Michael Flynn under fire over rallies ‘distorting Christianity’
Prominent Christian leaders accuse Trump allies of spreading misinformation about election and Covid, while distorting Christian teachings at ReAwaken America events
www.theguardian.com
Major water cutbacks loom as shrinking Colorado River nears 'moment of reckoning'
Major water cutbacks loom as shrinking Colorado River nears ‘moment of reckoning’
As the Colorado River water shortage worsens, major cutbacks are needed to reduce most perilous risks, a federal official tells senators.
www.latimes.com
Trump Scammed Supporters Out of $250 Million for Nonexistent Fraud Fund
Trump Scammed Supporters Out of $250 Million for Nonexistent Fraud Fund
Supporters who thought they were donating to “election integrity” instead saw some of their money funneled to Trump hotels
www.rollingstone.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 © 2022 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