Eye On Modesto

Thoughts and observations about Modesto and Stanislaus County

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14 Apr 2012
4 Comments

Another Black Mark on Modesto, The Blue Ribbon Commission on the Homeless

By Emerson Drake

It was supposed to help the chronic homeless and homeless veterans when Councilman Joe Muratore asked the Safety and Communities Committee  for permission to create what evolved into this cruel and heartless attack on Modesto’s homeless. 

Out of 32 applicants, 9 were chosen. One dropped out but the rest pushed forward with their personal agendas.  J. David Wright, the Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Homeless or (BRCH), stated it correctly when, at the April 03, 2012 City Council meeting ,said the 9 chosen were all “effected” by our homeless citizens . He failed to mention the members were either negatively effected by the homeless or stood to gain potential financial profit for themselves or the respective self identified groups they represent.  

But even that doesn’t tell the whole story of the BRCH’s members.

Mike Moradian was one of Joe Muratore’s confidants in Muratore’s council election campaign.  Moradian was the leader of a non-profit LaLoma Neighborhood Association (LLNA). The LLNA “strongly supported” Muratore’s council bid and the LLNA soon lost its non-profit status.  Muratore and Moradian were advocates of leveling the airport district (which is in Muratore’s council District) in order to help rid Modesto of its homeless population and those who Moradian perceived as “trouble makers.”  Moradian also supported Muratore’s hope the city would financially support their private security force in LaLoma’s local public parks.

Two of the chosen were former members of the Stanislaus Community Assistance Program (SCAP).  Darryl Fair who was Chairman for SCAP’s board of directors during the height of the SCAP debacle and has been hoping someone would come along and fund a daycare center said he could “manage.” And Frank Ploof who, for a period of time, was a member of SCAP’s board of directors and despite having SCAP’s irregularities exposed with Darryl Fair at the helm, continued to “hook up”  Fwith air at the  Renaissance Center. The center was originally set up as a non-profit in Fair’s sons’ name but lost its non-profit status from the IRS for non-compliance of financial regulations.

Vanessa Czopek, Stanislaus County’s head librarian was chosen because of, or in spite of, her misgivings regarding the homeless presence in and around the downtown branch in  Modesto.  She had taken active steps to disenfranchise these citizens from their right to use the library.  Since she couldn’t legally refuse them access to the inside, she attempted to “disinclined” them of using the outside.   Ms. Czopek had most of the tables and benches removed from the library portico.  Unfortunately many other citizens, yes even those with homes, used these benches as a place to rest while exploring the nearby farmers market or just enjoying the beautiful tree-lined streets adjoining the library.

Brad Wilson had been a long time employee of the Modesto’s Y0semite Gospel Mission.  During his time on the committee he was placed in charge of the Mission. He did have some difficulties with getting permission to renovate an existing structure to expand their rehabilitation abilities.  Of course an opportunity to reinforce his “way” of rehabilitating people and a chance to funnel a larger percentage of public donations to his organization couldn’t possibly hurt.

Steve Madison the former head of Modesto’s Building Industry Association and now on the Board of Directors there managed to get himself appointed to the Salvation Army Board.  A feat usually performed by aspiring political wannabees through donating a significant amount of money but requiring no expertise or experience with those in need.  Unless of course of you count a developer looking for a piece of prime farm land to plant driveways in or a politician looking for a campaign donation.

J.David Wright the Commission Chairman is a local insurance branch owner and salesman and doesn’t like anyone to eek out an existence by living behind a dumpster near his place of business.  Mr. Wright has been especially busy donating to successful Council and failed Mayoral hopefuls to the tune of $5,700 in the last year alone.  Did I mention many of these same candidates are now on the council and recently reappointed him and the other Commissioners (I guess they think it sounds better than committee members) to another yet unnamed commission task?

J. David Wright made it very clear he/they believe the homeless are molly coddled and overfed. He made the claim they homeless could get fed 10 to 15 times a day, which is something the report doesn’t document. Muratore later made the claim that the homeless could get fed up to 20 times daily.  This claim was refuted later by people and groups who fed the homeless daily on their own.

Wright also made the claim there are 10 or 12 agencies in Modesto that pass out food daily. Again their report does not substantiate this.  Point in fact, one of the agencies they reference will give 3 days of food once every 3 months!

We need to understand the BRCH had several goals. One is to create a mindset of “out of sight out of mind.”  Day centers would be helpful but not as a magic wand. Many of the homeless wouldn’t use a daycare facility except occasionally or during inclimate weather.

Another goal is to funnel donations, monetary and food, to just a few groups like the Yosemite Gospel Mission, Interfaith ministries) which didn’t participate here) and the Salvation Army.  unfortunately this limits the people who will be allowed access to the support services provided since these agencies have alienated aprox.15-20% of the homeless due to their restrictive rules and religious affiliations.

An informative pamphlet Merced uses would be of great use to homeless advocates and those wishing to truly assist the homeless in finding available resources.  It is also necessary to monitor the major groups presently assisting the homeless in order to ensure the greatest dispersion to ALL of the homeless not just those who fit the cookie cutter ideals of the few powerful organizations who presently dominate the field. Plus the homeless most often are transportation challenged.  The “fairytale style anecdotal stories”  told by the BRCH members are a prime example of how their agendas have tainted their perspectives.  Grants being written for or money handed over to “professional non-profiteers” should be avoided.

 The reading of the BRCH’s final report is recommended. BRCReport.   But continued community involvement and supervision is very important.  The Joe Muratore’s of the world can’t be trusted with those who are most vulnerable to society’s baser instincts. 

What we allow done to the least of us we allow done to all of us.

Author: Carl Skaggs This image was taken by me...

Author: Carl Skaggs This image was taken by me on January 14, 2010 in Modesto, California I hereby relinquish all rights to this photo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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13 Apr 2012
1 Comment

Who Will Run with Mitt?

EOM Staff

Now that Mitt Romney has basically secured the GOP nomination for president, the question becomes who will run as vice-president?

As we learned from the McCain/Palin campaign, this can be a make or break issue for a nominee.  Two names that have been tossed out there already are Chris Christie, Republican Governor of New Jersey, and Mark Rubio, Republican Senator from Florida.

We need to know as much about the person running for VP as we do the presidential candidate.  After all, they are just a heartbeat away from the presidency.  Here is some interesting information about each of these gentlemen:

Governor Christie recently cancelled what would be the largest public works project in the nation.  That would be the expansion of the underground rail that transport commuters under the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey.  Governor Christie announced that New Jersey would have to pay for 70% of the project.  The GAO (government accountability office) has said that New Jersey would only pay 14.4% of the costs.  Governor Christie also said that New Jersey would be responsible for any cost overruns, however the federal government has made several offers to share any cost overruns.  After cancelling the project, the governor steered $4 billion from the project to the transportation trust fund.  This fund is typically financed by gasoline tax and was nearly bankrupt.  By steering the money from the public works project to the trust fund, Governor Christie was able to avoid breaking a campaign promise he made not to raise the gasoline tax.

I wonder how many jobs were lost when this project was cancelled.  How much potential income was lost by engineers and construction workers? And I think it’s inappropriate for any politician to make a “promise” that he knows he probably won’t be able to keep.

Now the thousands of commuters that travel from New Jersey to New York and back each day will continue to do so on a single track shared by Amtrak and commuter trains.  And this track is a century old.

So, Governor Christie has kept his campaign promise not to raise the gasoline tax.  But jobs were lost and the infrastructure between New Jersey and New York is crumbling.  This isn’t beneficial to anyone and amounts to simple “campaign posturing”.  Is this the type of politician you would want as vice-president?

Mark Rubio, Republican Senator from Florida, was in support of the recently shot down “Blunt Amendment”.  Remember, this amendment would have allowed any employer to refuse to provide insurance coverage for anything they had a moral objection to.  We’re not talking about religious institutions.  We’re talking about ANY employer that provides insurance benefits for its employees.  And we’re not talking about a religious objection, but a moral objection.  It’s entirely possible, that had the Blunt Amendment passed, your employer could chose not to cover contraception.  Or pre-natal care for unmarried women.  Or blood transfusions.  Or treatment for cervical cancer (because it is caused by a virus that is transmitted sexually).  Your employer would not even have to give a reason, simply say that he has a moral objection to your needed medical care.

This amendment would have allowed your employer to have complete control over what medical care you received.  Do we really need our bosses to determine our healthcare?  Isn’t that better left to our physicians?

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13 Apr 2012

Has Ann Romney Ever Worked?

EOM Staff

According to Hillary Rosen, a democratic strategist (although not connected to the Obama campaign), Ann Romney “has never worked a day in her life”.  There has been quite an uproar over this statement, and some have decided that democrats are now waging a war on women.  Certainly, Ms. Rosen could have chosen a better way to express what many American women feel when considering Mitt Romney for president.  He is now putting his wife out there as a way of appealing to women voters.  I, along with countless other women, certainly support Mrs. Romney’s decision to be a stay at home mother.  There is no more important job in the world than raising good children to become good adults.  But where the Romneys fail to appeal to women voters is that with their vast wealth they have no idea what it is like to work full-time (and possibly a part-time job), pay for day care, gas, electricity, water, insurance, food, rent and all the other expenses involved in day to day life.  And on top of that they lose the opportunity to spend more time with their children.

Does anyone actually believe the Romneys understand that the majority of families in America have to have two incomes to support themselves?  That choosing to be a stay at home mom isn’t even an option for many of us?  If you are a low-income family, both parents work.  Many families sole support is the mother’s income.  Even if you are a middle-class family, you need two incomes to survive.  I doubt the Romneys really have a clue that most of us juggle which bill to pay this month and which we can put off until next month.  I certainly don’t believe they lay awake at night wondering if they can possibly send a child to college?  Or worry about losing their home due to medical expenses.  The majority of foreclosures in America are due to medical bills not covered by insurance.  And so many American families are living without insurance.

Mrs. Romney responded to the comment by saying that we should all respect the choice that each woman and mother makes.  Yes, we should.  She was fortunate to be able to make that choice without her family suffering financially.  For most American woman, there is no choice.  We have to work if we want our children to eat. I just don’t believe the Romneys have any idea what life is like for you and me.

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11 Apr 2012

The Letter from the Tuolumne River Trust that held up the Water Sale

Here it is, the letter from the Tuolumne River Trust to the San Francisco Public Utilities District that held up the MID water sale.

 

TRTFinalLetter

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11 Apr 2012

“What’s on America’s Mind” Tonight at 7:00

Tonight at 7:00PM Pacific For Women…USE your vote or LOSE your rights. The important things you need to know about the Personhood Amendment and your rights. More on the exclusive Mayoral supper and the Tuolumne River Trust letter that gummed up the MID water sale.

So take the link and listen to…Whats on America’s Mind.

You can always play it in the background what you post on facebook or while you’re playing games.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centralvalleyhornet/2012/04/12/whats-on-americas-mind-with-emerson-drake

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05 Apr 2012

Will the Real Modesto Bee Please Stand Up

Back in 2007 Mike Moody wrote an article against San Francisco taking 52,000 acre feet out of the Tuolumne River but now the Editorial Staff is backing the initiative.  

 
Interesting, they didn’t want us to let some else have it but it’s okay to sell it.
 

MID, TID challenge SF water assumptions

Amount ofTuolumnewater to SF worrisome, they say, particularly in a drought

By Mike Moody

San Francisco’s plan to take more water from theTuolumneRiver– especially in dry years — faces a challenge from theModestoandTurlockirrigation districts.

MID and TID leaders suspect faulty assumptions may have led the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to overstate how much river water would be available to divert during a drought year.

“That’s probably our biggest concern,” the MID’s Walt Ward said Wednesday, “the assumption that 27,000 acre-feet can be diverted from the river (even) during dry years.”
That is about 24 million gallons a day.

MID officials are confused, saying that there is no extra water flowing in theTuolumne, especially in a drought year.

Diverting more water by 2030 — San Francisco already diverts 225 million gallons a day from the Tuolumne — is a key part of a $4.3 billion San Francisco Public Utilities Commission plan to refurbish and rebuild its Hetch Hetchy water conveyance system.

http://www.modbee.com/2007/10/04/84207/mid-tid-challenge-sf-water-assumptions.html 

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05 Apr 2012

A Joint Letter from MID & TID Against 27,000 Acre Feet to San Francisco 2007

Back on October 1, 2007 MID got together with TID and issued a joint letter to Paul Maltzer Environmental Review Officer WSIP DEIR.

In this letter they argue against a proposed diversion of 27,000 Acre Feet of water to San Francisco from the Tuolumne River.  This is exactly what they  WANT to do now.  The letter talks about the harm that will be caused bythe proposed diversion.

Please read the letter for yourselves and question the reason for the complete about face and the motives of MID leadership and staff.

MIDTID2007LettertoPUC

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04 Apr 2012
1 Comment

What’s On America’s Mind – Fracking Link

If you listened to tonight’s episode of What’s On America’s Mind and would like to see the information on fracking, please click on the following link:

http://truth-out.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7323:fracking-pennsylvania-gags-physicians

Posted in Uncategorized
04 Apr 2012

“What’s On America’s Mind”

Tonight we’re going to discuss Modesto’s Blue Ribbon Commission, MID’s shyster lawyer and his ways, Fracking, Obamacare, and an update on reproductive rights.  The show starts at 7:00PM so don’t be late.  Share it with your friends.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centralvalleyhornet/2012/04/05/whats-on-americas-mind-with-emerson-drake 

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04 Apr 2012

MID Board Takes One Step Forward and Two Steps Back

By Emerson Drake

Board President Tom Van Groningen, in a surprise move Tuesday, allowed an extremely rare opportunity for the public to exchange thoughts with the board’s attorney, Tim O’Laughlin.  O’Laughlin spoke to the fact sheet Reed Smith previously to the Modesto City Council and supplied to MID’s Board at last weeks meeting.

“I’m Shocked just Shocked” 

This was the theatrical claim made by O’Laughlin. His reference was to the use by Reed Smith of a 60,000 acre feet seepage total from Modesto reservoir.  Those of use who sit through these outbursts of O’Laughlins were shaking our heads.  The 60,000 acre feet number was used by MID staff, General Manager Allen Short, and O’Laughlin at every presentation made to the public up to and including the presentation made to the Modesto City Council.

When you sit in these meetings month after month you start to understand why MID’s Board doesn’t want to save these performances by legal counsel.  After all, have you ever known a public entity to destroy video discs taken at their meetings after 100 days and before the minutes are accepted?  But that is standard operating procedure at MID.

So once again MID staff has revised their numbers to improve the private agenda-driven (personal profit amongst other considerations) goals of attorney O’Laughlin and GM Short.

There were only a few members of the public present to hear the latest diatribe against concerned citizens. Heck,  the MID staff out numbered the public two to one but that didn’t put a damper on those present to counter the propaganda issued at Short’s request by O’Laughlin.

After the short propaganda presentation shyster, O’Laughlin was asked for a hard copy of the numbers which he refused saying they would be available on the MID website by the end of the week.

At this point we have only two members on the board, Larry Byrd and Nick Blom who have shown concern and been responsive to the public.  Both of these men display a personal quest to understand where MID spends its money.  Understand that it isn’t because they’re new, it’s because they care.  Most of the questions they ask can’t be answered by GM Short or shyster/attorney O’Laughlin. They are usually answered by staff because Short and O’Laughlin don’t know the answers.  The other members of the board, Tom VanGroningen, Glen Wild (who has never in the last two years shown an interest in doing anything but playing sycophant), and Paul Warda (who is ill and we hope for his speedy recovery),  haven’t displayed an understanding of the complexities of MID’s spending despite their years on the board.  Glen Wild has been on the board two years and has displayed less knowledge and has asked fewer questions than Larry Byrd, who has only been on the board for four months.

Rubber stamps like VanGroningen, Wild and Warda don’t have to know why….they just have to know when to vote and how Allen Short wants them to vote.

Now of major concern is the poor leadership of Tom VanGroningen.  In most instances when you address the consent calendar of a public body by pulling items of consent, they will take a moment and explain what the item is for. The MID Board has  gone both ways on this issue but after the meeting Tuesday, Tom Van Groningen stated the board would no longer respond to public inquiries at meetings.  He specifically stated questions will not be answered about warrants(one method MID uses to pay their bills) and people can make statements but the board will not respond to questions.

This I find is a curious way for the board, which during the meeting, claimed they wanted to be open with the public, to respond.  It was bad enough O’Laughlin lied to Director Byrd during the last meeting, when he claimed he didn’t know how MID handled his invoices after he submitted them.  Why do I say he lied?  Because shyster O’Laughlin had already been paid.

Why do we need more openness?  Because Allen Short and Tim O’Laughlin have repeatedly involved staff in  juggling the numbers and information made available  to make Shorts expansive and unrealistic visions of the future, the same visions requiring our rates to rise,  seem reasonable.  After all O’Laughlin let the cat out of the bag when he admitted Oakdale Irrigation District doesn’t feel any need for recapture ponds like the ones Short and staff says are not only necessary but imperative to the tune of $72 Million.

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