Improve Modesto's 'curb appeal'

I have lived in Turlock/Stanislaus County since 1980. I retired from the Fire Department in May, 2008 and since that time my wife and I have made six cross-country road trips. We have seen all types of road surfaces and roadside landscaping, some great and some not so great.

Then we ride back into Stanislaus County and realize that Highway 99's surface and roadside is among some of the worst we have seen. Very often, as people travel up and down 99, this is their only experience with Stanislaus County; what kind of impression are they getting of our home? The Department of Transportation should be ashamed.

I do see that some work is getting done on 99, but the roadside looks like a garbage pit. Shameful.

MICHAEL ROLLINS

Turlock