Eye On Modesto

Thoughts and observations about Modesto and Stanislaus County

Archive for the tag “Modesto City Council”

29 Nov 2012

The Task Force for Public Art is Meeting 11/29/12

Public Art in Chicago

Public Art in Chicago (Photo credit: Pam_Broviak)

The Safety and Communities Committee Task Force for Public Art is meeting on Thursday 11/29/2012 at 3:30 in Room 2010 at 1010 10th Street.  The task force has been charged with developing a City Ordinance to assist in coordinating Public Art and developing a comprehensive strategy to promote art in public places.  The formal wording will follow todays meeting.

The public in not only invited but encouraged to attend.

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25 Nov 2012

Modesto Public Art Committee is Staging a Coup d`etat

Public Art in Chicago

Public Art in Chicago (Photo credit: Pam_Broviak)

By Emerson Drake

The Modesto Public Art Committee (PAC) is meeting Monday November 26,2012 to discuss an attempt to control the regulation of Public Art in Modesto. The PAC was formed years ago and despite creating a many page document they could never manage to get it authorized by the Modesto City Council.  I think there are probably many reasons for this and likely for good reason.

The potential regulation of art especially mural art in public places has come to the forefront since Modesto City Councilman John Gunderson brought it to the public eye.  Here is the latest information I could find regarding the Modesto Cultural Commission, its members and the end of their appointments.

Alice Ingham Richards 1/1/2013
Grace Lieberman 1/1/2010
Antony Little 1/1/2011
Henrietta Sparkman 1/1/2012
Kate Trompetter 1/1/2014

It would seem things are just a bit out of date.  The last time they tried to get the following rules implemented was in 2006 and it seems the City Council wasn’t interested. 

According to the City Callender : 3:30 PM – Public Art Committee Meeting  
McHenry Museum, 1402 I Street, Contact Ellen La Coste 577-5235

I encourage everyone interested to attend.  The following link will take you to the Public Art Master Plan.  Sounds almost ominous doesn’t it.

PACMasterPlan.doc2

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24 Oct 2012

“What’s on America’s Mind” Wednesday 7:00PM

 

Radio RED 104.9 FM

Tonight’s discussion includes:

Fireworks at the MID, who leaked MID’s confidential memo and why? Van Groningen Chastised by Board, alleged  Brown Act Violations, the need for roll call voting, and they’re finally replacing Tim O’Laughlin MID’s Million dollar man, Recalling five heroic men here in Modesto, Modesto’s home owners who kill cats,  SalidaMAC meeting last night and the low hanging fruit, Mitt Romney’s only endorsement for another candidate was Richard Mourdock GOP candidate for U.S.Senate who says no abortions for rape victims because God intended for it to happen.

This and more Wednesday night from 7:00 until 8:30 PM

Our call in number is 1-347-215-9414

104.9 FM K-GIG Salida is our flagship radio station where we can be heard throughout the week.

To hear us live or later from our archives http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centralvalleyhornet/2012/10/25/whats-on-americas-mind-with-emerson-drake

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23 Oct 2012
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Salida MAC Committee Meets Tuesday at 7:00 PM at Salida Library

Salida MAC Newsletter – October 2012

NOTE: So much content and information was shared at our September 2012 Salida MAC meeting that I decided to compile it on a blog because there’s no way all of this info could fit into our printed newsletter. ~ Editor, Katherine Borges

 
Supervisor District 3 Report and Salida Annexation Update – Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow reported that as of September 25, they were about 15 days into the 60 days for the contracted term of the Goodwin Consulting Fiscal Feasibility Study and then the city and county will decide if they can come to a cost-sharing agreement. He reiterated that he supports Salida’s citizens and “will not push anything that isn’t what Salida wants”. Supervisor Withrow then gave a brief history of the Salida Community Plan.
 
 
There is a petition available 

on-line to protest the attempted annexation of Salida by Modesto you will want to read and possibly sign.

 
Here is the link for the petition: 

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Remember knowledge is power so read up and understand what Modesto politicians are trying to do and then let your voice be heard.
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07 Oct 2012
2 Comments

Modesto Chamber of Commerce Drops the Ball Wants City Bailout Money

By Emerson Drake

Over the last several months we’ve been regaled with several tales lauding  the Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s CEO/lobbyist Cecil Russell and side kick Mike Moradian for raising money to restore Modesto’s Arch.  While I acknowledge it’s a fine project, and will be somewhat appreciated, does the City of Modesto really have $40,000 in the General Fund with nowhere else to go?  We’re even being asked to throw in $15,807 from the Mann Grant Donation into the project for a total of $55.807.00.

At a recent City Council meeting lobbyist Cecil Russell was given a round of applause as was Mike Moradian for selling the $3.00 “Golden” candy bars.  There were several stories in the Modesto Bee ( Aug.18, Sept.7 & 11 and Oct.1) about what a great job the Chamber has done raising money.  But now they come, hat in hand, begging for tax money that could have gone toward another police officer on the street. 

It’s Item #11 under new business http://www.modestogov.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=460&doctype=AGENDA   on this weeks agenda.  What?  You say you haven’t read about it anywhere?  Not even in the Modesto Bee?  Apparently City manager Greg Nyhoff requested this item be added.  But how did he hear about the need?

There is little doubt that when he blew off last weeks agenda meeting and missed half of the Safety and Communities meeting, he was being apprised of the situation as the city liaison with the Chamber.  He failed to mention it upon his return from the meeting, but since he likes to keep city business on a need to know basis or as strictly required by law, we don’t wonder why, as it would keep his secret as long as possible.  At least several City Council members were surprised to see this item on the agenda when it was published on Friday afternoon.

The Chamber of Commerce has already planned a celebration for October 26, 2012.  But they FAILED to raise the necessary money to pay for it.  Unfortunately it says more about Mr. Russell’s leadership than it does about Modesto businessmen.  I don’t believe this would never have happened under someone who was  as  fiscally responsible as former Chamber  CEO Joy Madison.

Lobbyist Cecil Russell has done a lot of bad-mouthing against the Modesto City Council over his client/benefactor the Double Tree turning down the Modesto Centre Plaza deal. You would think he would have run into some resistance for being a grandstander who failed in his responsibility to come through with the promised funding.

Next time the Chamber of Commerce or its CEO have grandiose plans (for the public’s good) I hope they can pay for it themselves and leave Modesto’s general fund out of the equation.

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11 Sep 2012

Joe Muratore is at it Again – Padding His Pockets at Your Expense

By Emerson Drake

Yes, Councilman Joe Muratore has yet again figured out a way to profit from his position on the Modesto City Council.  Starting just after he was elected, Muratore sought out county politicians and started to prime the annex Salida pump.  I guess we shouldn’t be surprised after his NSP2 debacle of pocketing $62,500 dollars from a commission his Benchmark Realty partner Ryan Swehla generated by using Swehla’s and Scott Monday’s Trinity Renovations . 

But his Salida business adventure may just be his greediest chapter with an even more tangled web of deceit.  Remember the Stanislaus Grand Jury said Muratore was deceitful and dissembling in not fully disclosing relevant business affiliations and associates.

Stephen Endsley and his wife Ann have land holding in the Salida area according to documents supplied by a public information request which can be found on this site.  Joe Muratore has several prior business relationships with Endsley.  From a failed solar venture between himself, Swehla, Hawn, and Endsley, to an investment with Stephen Endsley valued between $20,000 and $100,000 dollars according to forms filed with the state.  Muratore has been meeting behind the scenes encouraging  the County to sweeten the pot which would enable Modesto to annex Salida, potentially at relatively little cost.

On August 7th during a City Council meeting  Muratore voted for consent item #27 which has Modesto footing half the cost ($30,000) of a feasibility study to discover definitively what the financial situation would be if and when Modesto were to annex Salida. I suppose it isn’t surprising to see a politician fattening their wallet while feeding at the public trough. Now all Muratore has to do is recuse himself from all discussion and voting, but Joe doesn’t seem concerned about right and wrong, just about money, so he keeps on voting.

After all, between Muratore the Modesto Councilman, Swehla his business partner in several ventures and  who sits on Modesto’s Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Endsley again his business partner and sometimes investor who has land in Salida waiting to be developed under a friendly administration, what could be a better arrangement? 

Could Muratore be planning on some short-term cash flow or is he stocking up for the future? Here is a picture of Muratore’s Benchmark Realty sign offering land for sale in Salida.  The sign can be found on a vacant lot in front of the Vizcaya Housing Tract along Pirrone Road in Salida just before  Hammett,  East of Highway 99. I wonder if his client is aware of how many pies Joe has his fingers in?

Muratore’s business ventures just might benefit from a hurried up annexation with a friendly Zoning Board and a Councilman to shepard the whole process through.  Kind of reminiscent of  their participation in the  NSP2 program?  Hmm…

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15 Aug 2012

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

Topics will include  behind the scenes insight of the recent MID meeting vote, MID  attny Tim O’Laughlin’s lies, Salida’s concerns regarding the possible annexation, the 7 question PIR regarding Salida, Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s astoundingly unbelieveable  denials regarding George Patrulakis, and of course national issues effecting all of us from the latest crusader in tights, Romneyhood, to the War on Women and much more Wednesday night at 7:00 PM Pacific .

You can always call in and talk to the host at 1-347-215-9414

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centralvalleyhornet/2012/08/16/whats-on-americas-mind-with-emerson-drake

 

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20 Jul 2012

Here are the Letters Between MID and the City of Modesto

By Emerson Drake

You’ve heard about them and here they are the written  exchanges between Modesto and MID.

MID-CityLetters

Also, here is a little teaser.  You know the MID has been using Martino Graphic Design INC to funnel money to political consultant and lobbyist  Mike Lynch.  But were you aware of the potential amount in their contract?  Under purchase order 54981 from July 23, 2010 thru December 31, 2011:

This contract is issued to provide professional services to Refocus and Enhance Public Education and Information per Board Resolution No. 2010-35.

Not-to-exceed $450,000.00 plus cost and expenses.

$450,000.00 for Lobbying?  Now you know why your rates are so high.  They been giving contracts like these to friends to stay in power.

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16 Jul 2012

“On Watch” Cable TV Comcast 15, Streaming Video and 89.5FM

Emerson Drake
I’m guest hosting Athens Abell’s cable TV show “On Watch” at 6PM tonight Monday July 16th. Supervisor Terry Withrow will be there to discuss farmland mitigation. I’m doing a segment on Modesto’s negotiating with MID and Modesto City Councilman Dave Geer will be my guest. And if time permits a segment on the County Fair. It’s all on Comcast channel 15 the Assyrian Channel and online via streaming video and KBSV-89.5 FM 

http://www.betnahrain.org/KBSV/kbsv.htm

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02 Jul 2012
4 Comments

Muratore Stabs Constituents in the Back

 By Emerson Drake

When MID’s General Manager Allen Short and attorney Tim O’Laughlin made their water presentation to the Modesto City Council, they deliberately misled them regarding the reliability of Modesto’s water supply from MID.  This was acknowledged by the Council when they finally had the opportunity to read the proposed contract with the San Francisco Public Utility Commission , also know as the SFPUC.  O’laughlin had the audacity to stand  in front of the Council and claim the contract would protect Modesto and keep Modesto first when it came time to divvy up available water.

Obviously that was just a lie.

When the council first voted in closed session it was 5-2 for exploring a lawsuit against MID for violating a  2005 contract. But before it became public the Council took another vote which made it a unanimous 7-0 vote.  Councilman Lopez spoke about this in open session. The two votes against were Mayor Marsh and Councilman Lopez.

 Councilman Muratore Betrays Modesto and Changes His Mind

Unfortunately MID Director Tom Van Groningen has since somehow  “persuaded” Muratore to change his mind and suddenly Muratore loves the proposed water sale.  What arguments did Van Groningen use?  Did he magically make more water appear in Don Pedro? No. Was he able to convince the SFPUC to take a back seat to Modesto and the farmers?  No.  So what did he dangle in front of Muratore to change his mind?

Well we do know from past experience with Councilman Muratore that money talks.  Maybe VanGroningen apologized for not passing a special exemption when Muratore, Swehla, Endsley and Hawn brought a solar project to the MID board.  Unfortunately that time Swehla screwed the pooch and failed to meet a paperwork cut-off and the project wasn’t eligible for the increased financial inducement which would have made the project viable, costing their fledgling company any chance of remaining in business.  And of course we remember Van Groningen supported Endsley’s biomass/garbage burner plant which cost ratepayers $1.292Million dollars. The $92,000 went to MID attorney O’Laughlin’s firm, but hey, who’s  counting?

Maybe a Forensic Auditor should be brought in to examine MID’s books given the revelation MID’s General Manager made when he admitted he had funneled money to political consultant Mike Lynch through Martino Graphic Design,INC. Has he done this before?  Have they paid a political consultant through a graphic design company or another company unrelated to political consulting to disguise their intent?  Couldn’t this sleight of hand be considered illegal, especially if there is evidence of this not being the first time?  Lynch has been making the rounds whispering in the ear of political wannabes like Councilman Lopez’s stepson Josh Vanderveen, who has been speaking out for the sale regularly since this issue came to light. Up to this point there hasn’t been enough known inducement for Lynch to be making promises to so many political candidates.  And of course it can’t hurt that Councilman Lopez has been making discrete inquiries about running for Supervisor Dick Monteith’s job when the supervisors term expires.

Whatever VanGroningen whispered into Muratore’s ear worked and as a result the potential vote is now 4-3 regardless of anything you’ve heard.  Now all eyes are on Councilman Cogdill to see if he’s as honorable as we hope.

Above all we need Council members to watch out for the Citizens of Modesto’s best interests and not their political careers or their wallets.

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