June voter turnout was bad everywhere. Also, how to score $2 meds and reduce watering
No one following politics can be surprised at the dismal 29% turnout of Stanislaus County voters in the June primary, because there wasn’t much to get excited about locally.
A competitive sheriff’s race, for example, might have pulled out more voters. Same for district attorney. In years past, we’ve even seen hard-fought races for county schools superintendent. And for judges, believe it or not.
But this year we had none of that. No one summoned the courage to run against Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, Superintendent Scott Kuykendall or any of seven Stanislaus judges. Maybe people feel they’re doing a good job and deserve more time in office. But I still think a good challenge helps to keep even the best public servants sharp.
That the open race to succeed outgoing DA Birgit Fladager drew only one candidate — her assistant, Jeff Laugero — is a mystery. In her 16-year tenure, Fladager enjoyed the luxury of no political opponent only once, in 2010, yet her successor glides in with no effort. Are we really at the point where no one wants the job?
Surely, I thought, other places with competitive races whipping up voters must have fared better than Stanislaus’ 29% turnout. We knew, for instance, that there was a spirited campaign for DA in neighboring Merced County, and Fresno had important city council races in June.
But only 25.7% of Merced County bothered to vote, and in Fresno County, 27.1%. To our north, San Joaquin’s turnout was 28.6%. So disinterest was widespread, especially here in the San Joaquin Valley; across California, turnout was a little better, 33.1%, but even that is deflating. Remember that nearly 78% of Stanislaus voters participated in the November 2020 presidential election.
Expect a better showing this November, when the ballot features council races in all nine Stanislaus cities including Modesto, as well as numerous school and irrigation boards, not to mention runoffs for a bunch of congressional and state Legislature offices. And look for our editorial board’s candidate forums in August.
Bigots on the move in Modesto
The vile distribution of antisemitic filth in Modesto I wrote about a few days ago appears broader than feared.
The first person who told me about fliers blaming Jewish people for many of society’s problems, stuffed in baggies weighted with white rice and tossed onto front lawns and driveways under cover of darkness, lives in the Enslen Park neighborhood a few minutes’ drive from Congregation Beth Shalom. Police received reports of the same in the area of Floyd and Roselle avenues, 10 minutes to the east.
I called out the gutless wonders behind the fliers in a column posted online Wednesday and appearing in Thursday’s newspaper. Since then, readers report that the fliers also were found in Modesto’s Wycliffe neighborhood off Scenic Drive, and also near Grace Davis High School. It’s reasonable to assume other neighborhoods were slimed as well.
In a personal email, one reader wrote: “It doesn’t matter if the slur was directed at me as a true hate crime because now the only facts are what someone believes. No need to measure the details. If they think I am, that is what I am.” Her words are as sad as they are true.
So whoever did this wasn’t lazy. Just bigoted, prejudiced and cowardly.
How to water your garden less
If you’ve wondered how you might cut back on landscape or garden watering at your place in the ongoing drought, consider catching a fun class providing tips at your local library.
Whether you want to do your part to save water or you just want to save money, or both, U.C. Master Gardeners are here for you. They will hold evening classes in the next few weeks at libraries in Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Oakdale, Riverbank and Salida, and might expand to others if warranted. Visit the group’s blog for dates and times, but don’t dawdle — the first is Monday, July 11.
$2 Rx, no joke
The latest impressive gift from two Turlock nonprofits making life easier for thousands of less-advantaged people in south Stanislaus and north Merced counties: $2 prescriptions.
Legacy Health Endowment and the EMC Health Foundation are partnering with Tin Rx, a Turlock pharmacy where people can present proof of residency in qualifying areas. They include Stanislaus’ west side, the 95358 ZIP code in south Modesto’s Bret Harte neighborhood and most areas from Ceres south, such as Hughson, Denair, Keyes and Turlock.
Patients also attest that they are financially unable to afford their prescription co-pay or deductible and either confirm that they are uninsured or provide a copy of their health insurance card.
The program, called PharmAffordable, covers 690 medications. A couple taking medication for thyroid issues and high blood pressure could save $700 a year, said Jeffrey Lewis, president and CEO of both nonprofits.
To see if you’re eligible, visit tinrx.com/pharmaffordable/ or go to TIN Rx in Turlock, 1801 Colorado Ave. suite 300. It’s toward the back of the Romeo Tower parking lot.
RIP, Mike Mooney
Some readers will remember Michael G. Mooney, a longtime reporter for The Modesto Bee before leaving in 2008 for other adventures in Idaho Falls and Council Bluffs, Iowa. I’m sorry to say he died a few days ago of heart failure while on a bicycle ride.
Mike covered numerous big stories including the Modesto police gun sale scandal (1998), the forced resignation of a Stanislaus County CEO (2003), the case of Yosemite mass murderer Cary Stayner (1999-2002) and many more. Mike also played saxophone in local jazz venues, and MoBand concerts in the park.
He was a fearless truth teller, a gifted story teller, a true baseball fan, a relentless champion of the underdog and a friend to many, including me.
This story was originally published July 11, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
