Why 2020 could spell the end of dysfunction that plagues Modesto City Council
In a year, the Modesto City Council could look very different.
Five of the seven members either face re-election next fall, or are running for other offices.
Why bring this up now?
The ugliness of Tuesday’s meeting, with accusations of racism and prearranged deal-making, can’t be ignored. It was painful. It was embarrassing. Only the soulless could leave that meeting feeling good about the council and confident in its ability to do the public’s work with efficiency, dignity and decorum.
And because most of the unpleasantness easily could have been avoided, the council collectively is to blame.
People are tired of the discord, the accusations, the strife. They also know the best way to change this unfortunate pattern is to change the composition of the council, whose members seem unable or unwilling to trust each other.
So the November ballot looms large.
No less than six candidates have emerged so far for mayor, including current Mayor Ted Brandvold, who intends to defend his seat.
The current District 1 representative, Mani Grewal, hopes to succeed Cathleen Galgiani in the state Senate, along with five other candidates. If Grewal finishes in the top two in the March Primary, he would devote his energy to the November election, opening his City Council seat to someone else.
Kristi Ah You has said she will seek re-election in District 3.
Doug Ridenour will not in District 6, because he is among the six mayoral candidates. This is the only council seat that definitely will have a new occupant.
The other three council seats are not up for re-election until 2022. Two are occupied by Tony Madrigal and Jenny Kenoyer.
The other is Bill Zoslocki, in District 4. He is among three candidates vying to succeed outgoing County Supervisor Kristin Olsen, who is stepping down. If Zoslocki loses that race, he’ll simply remain on the City Council.
So, possible outcomes include anywhere from one to five new council members, or something in between.
One more procedural note: all three council members not up for re-election next year will term out in 2022. So we’ll see moderate change that year regardless of other factors.
The prospect of change provides hope that the tantrums and grandstanding on display Tuesday might someday fade with new blood, new leadership. It was not the first time this group has conducted open warfare, with each other and people in the audience.
How might Tuesday’s shameful behavior have been avoided?
Council members not favoring the appointment of Sebastian Jones to the Board of Building Appeals had ample opportunity to voice displeasure at an appointments committee meeting, or privately to the mayor or city manager, preferably before the agenda was finalized, or at least before the meeting started. This would quell the public blindsiding that destroys trust among colleagues on a dais.
This is how councils of the past, and other agencies of the present, manage to save face despite great differences of opinion and personality, while still doing the people’s business in public.
The Modesto Bee calls on thoughtful, courageous people to consider running for public office.
