United on West Park, split on shelter

By TIM MORAN
tmoran@modbee.com

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Incumbent District 5 Supervisor Jim DeMartini faces a challenge from Newman Mayor John Fantazia in Tuesday's election. While the two share a farming back- ground, they have different opinions on several topics.

Here's a final question-and-answer session with the two candidates:

Q: What is the biggest issue facing the district?

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Fantazia: It depends. On the West Side, it is the Crows Landing project. In the whole district, it is gangs and violence. Something needs to be done about it, law enforcement. With possible cutbacks in state and county budgets, it's difficult. In Newman and Patterson, the biggest issue is Crows Landing, but in Ceres, it's gang activity, and the shortfall of dollars.

DeMartini: It's certainly the West Park development, and what the impact will be on the area. There are a lot of environmental issues to be answered. It will change the West Side forever, should it go through.

Q: With Modesto delaying its decision, what is the future of the plans to expand and renovate the animal shelter?

Fantazia: I see Modesto is putting off a decision. It keeps coming back to the budget, and what the state is going to do. We may have to hold off on that until the state budget is passed, and we can see what we have. We may have to slow down and take a deep breath. It's a high priority, but we have to see what the budget looks like. I think it will get worse before it gets better for the state. The numbers keep changing.

DeMartini: I'm still optimistic we are going to get this done on schedule. They say they are reviewing it. Unless they want to build their own shelter, coming in with the county would be more efficient. They have that choice. We've been negotiating with them for months, I can't understand why they would need more time. We have to go ahead with construction; the other cities are on board. The shelter has to be addressed, and I think Modesto will come around.

Q: What can be done about the lack of health care on the West Side?

Fantazia: In Newman, we just got a Golden Valley Health Care clinic. We are on the right track there. A hospital is the goal. The next step might be an urgent care center, open extended hours. There's just not enough population for a hospital, they can't afford to keep it open.

DeMartini: Health care is a big concern. I formed a task force a year ago. There is a problem there, there's no emergency service open at night. The nearest hospital is Modesto or Turlock. We used to have two hospitals, now there is nothing. I would like to see a small urgent care hospital. We are just now getting a sufficient population. I think we can do something, but it's not easy. We had the University of Merced at our last meeting, looking at the possibility of tele-medicine. That may be the way of the future for small towns.

Q: What should happen next with the West Park development?

Fantazia: The board voted to go ahead with it, and now they will get going with this environmental report. That will take a while. DeMartini should have been able to get two more votes to kill that thing. He's not effective. Instead of gaining a vote, he lost one.

DeMartini: All of the concerns of the community have to be addressed. Where the water is coming from, traffic is a big concern, the disruption of trains going through town with freight from Oakland. The environmental report needs to be thoroughly done, not a whitewash. I hope the board doesn't become a rubber stamp for West Park. The community has some legitimate concerns.

Q: Why should people vote for you?

Fantazia: Honesty and integrity. I don't play games, I don't fool people, I don't take money from special interests. I'm an open book.

DeMartini: I believe I've been doing the job for the West Side. I've always been there for them. I'm aware of the issues, and I feel for the last four years I've represented them well.

Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at tmoran@modbee.com or 578-2349.