Letters to the editor | Wednesday, May 20, 2020: An idea for safe and fun outdoor dining in Modesto
Al fresco dining downtown Modesto
Social distancing is going to be the new normal, and it’s going to heavily affect the ability of restaurants to make a profit with half the clientele.
I think we should shut down the streets downtown and allow restaurants to spread tables in the streets in front of their business, making downtown a pedestrian zone. This would allow people to return to a semblance of our old lives, and bring a safe gathering area for the people.
Matt Carberry, Modesto
Trump and Howze can save us
Wake up. Open your eyes, ears and minds. Listen to our president. Unlike our governor, Trump is trying to improve our lives, responsibly. He told us we don’t have the resources to support illegal immigrants. Some say it’s racist and unamerican to want to protect our own first.
We were warned Governor Newsom would do to California what was done to San Francisco. In spite of being unable to care for our own citizens, Newsom still welcomes illegal immigrants, offering free medical, etc. Then there he is asking trained medical people to come out of retirement or graduate early. And he does not know how the virus came to California. How is this being responsible?
Even if you don’t like our president, listen to him; then listen to Governor Newsom. If John Cox had been elected instead of Newsom, we wouldn’t be in this mess. Don’t forget water and septic before our governor invites people from other states and 103 countries for free everything.
Josh Harder supports Newsom in his destruction of California. Make Harder, Newsom’s protege, a one-term representative. Vote Ted Howze, Republican, for Congress for a change in the right direction and another responsible voice in Washington.
Leanna Cox, Turlock
Harder: Education champion
Education has been the most debated subject but nationwide efforts to address shortfalls in childhood literacy have failed. The education secretary eliminated several reading programs as she cut Congress-appropriated grants and slashed the budget by 12%. In our county, two of three fourth-graders read below the standard level. With the recent school shutdowns, many K-12 students don’t have reliable broadband in their rural areas to benefit from distance learning.
We are thankful that our congressman, Josh Harder, went to work immediately and challenged the education secretary. He demanded that priority be given to disadvantaged students.
In a letter to her, he insisted that the department pay attention to the needs of students and fund resources for those in rural areas who have limited internet access.
Josh is the first congressman in 20 years to consistently champion the cause of disadvantaged students. He is trying to instill in the secretary’s mind that she has an obligation to help ensure that states, localities, and educators get the resources they need to include every student in their plans, especially during this pandemic. The best thing about his actions is that they help everyone in our district, regardless of party denomination.
Julian Bentayeb, Newman
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.