Letters to the editor | Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020: Teachers yearn to return to class — when it’s safe
Teachers want to return, too — safely
Re “Stanislaus County COVID-19 situation not entirely clear” (Front Page, Aug. 12): Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow wants our local schools to open up classrooms and expose children at all costs. I, for one, do not agree with Mr. Withrow. Ken Carlson reported: “Withrow suggested the county send a message that it won’t take enforcement action if local school boards decide to resume classroom instruction in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order for distance learning.”
I work at an elementary school in Oakdale with teachers who would love to have students back in their classrooms. But those teachers also know that it would not be safe or sensible for the students or for their families or for any of us. Not yet. So those same teachers have risen to the challenge and are performing remarkable instructional experiences online for our kids. I watched today as teachers and students connected with smiles and made it happen. It was inspirational. And responsible.
Michael Lingg, Riverbank
Cynical view of mask slackers
I suppose there are psychologists out there writing papers about the very odd refusal of many to wear masks for the good of society. Here is my idea of a profile of these sorts of folks.
They are probably smokers, since they don’t care much about their own health or that of people around them. They roll through stop signs, greatly exceed the speed limit and don’t wear seat belts, because those silly rules impinge upon their freedoms. They are science deniers. I bet most of them think there is more daylight in the summer because of daylight savings time.
They probably don’t read newspapers, so I’m wasting my time and your ink.
Paul Desrosiers, Sonora
Don’t blame AB 5 on me
Members of my staff and I relish speaking with constituents. Since your Aug. 9 editorial, “Why your newspaper delivery driver could disappear,” we’ve gotten several opportunities.
Nearly identical editorials were published in Modesto, Merced, Fresno, Sacramento and San Luis Obispo urging readers to call legislators to ask that newspaper delivery workers be exempted from the requirements of AB 5, which reclassifies them as employees rather than contractors. Only the names of the newspapers and targeted elected officials were changed.
A little research would have shown that I was the only Democrat in the entire Legislature who voted against AB 5 in 2019. If given the opportunity, I will vote to exempt newspaper carriers and other workers from this law. Here in the Valley, where thousands depend on intermittent work to make ends meet, I worried that insufficient thought had been given to the impacts on these workers and their families if gig-work opportunities were outlawed overnight.
Yet, you targeted me for phone calls. Most went to my staff, taking them away from other constituent work such as tracking down tardy unemployment benefits, locating PPE for essential workers and researching issues of vital importance to our Valley.
The next time McClatchy wants to send a message, how about choosing your targets more carefully. Better yet, just give us a call. We’ll always answer.
Rep. Adam Gray, 21st State Assembly District
Goriel earns my respect
I have lived in Modesto for more than 40 years. I graduated from Davis High, attended MJC, raised my children here, worked for a local school and I am now retired and enjoying life. I believe in helping others — all people, regardless of ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status.
I met a man several years ago while volunteering at a school event. His name was Naramsen Goriel. He saw the need for assistance in our community and he stepped up. He has consistently been a community voice for the underserved. To me, his presence spoke volumes. He does not just talk his game, he lives it.
His passion for the homeless, economic growth and meeting the needs of everyday people has earned my respect. He has a proven track record of advocacy, learning about the needs in the community and working toward solutions.
Now is not the time to vote for the status quo. Let’s move forward with an inclusive leader, together.
Pamela DiFrancia, Modesto
Harder has bipartisan focus
In these times when Democrats and Republicans can hardly agree on anything, Rep. Josh Harder has provided leadership in cooperation and bipartisanship. Our district is what is sometimes called a “purple” district, meaning that we have fairly equal numbers of Democrat and Republican voters, as well as a large number of those designated as no party preference. Josh has represented all these voters by getting bipartisan support on more than half of the bills he introduced in 2019.
Josh has reached across the aisle on issues such as extending unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and fighting to protect dairy farmers in trade with Japan. His bills on water and farming have the support of both farmers and conservationists. He has Republican co-sponsors on his bill to extend benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
Josh is a model of what can be accomplished when legislators reach out to diverse groups to find solutions, rather than pushing one-sided ideas that leave out members of one party or another. We need to make sure he gets re-elected in November so he can continue doing great work for all of us.
Susan Thomas, Turlock
Homeless really can rebound
Downtown witnessed a miracle of resilience. A year ago a man lost his wife, job, and home. Robert became a homeless statistic behind downtown buildings with two Chihuahuas, a mountain bike, and carts of belongings.
Robert camped out in parking lots and performed handyman jobs. While caring for his dogs, someone stole his tools. For a handyman, that’s like stealing a chef’s fine knives. Robert didn’t complain. After six months doing landscaping and odd jobs, Robert was invited to live in a locked courtyard. For five months he had safety and shade. His street savvy provided security for workers. Robert mentioned leaving the space. He fixed odd things that broke. Meanwhile, he fixed his broken life.
We’ll miss Robert’s lively discussions. We’re thrilled he pulled off his miracle. He took up his bike and dogs, created a miracle of cash and a truck, left the courtyard better than he found it, and started a new life. The Bible story goes, at the Bethesda pool, the invalid complained, “No one will help me into the pool.” Jesus tells him, “Pick up your mat and walk.” Robert picked up his mat and walked out of the homeless ranks.
Patricia E. Bryte, Modesto
An example to us all
As we played pickleball at Beyer Park, we have watched a wonderful woman walk down Sylvan Avenue picking up garbage. She collects the garbage others toss from their cars or leave in the park.
Over the past year several pickleball players have thanked her. This week we thought it’s time to let others know of her kindness. When we asked for her name, she said she didn’t need it in the paper. Instead she wanted us to ask others not to litter and to pick up their trash.
Thank you to this wonderful woman. Let’s help her out!
Judy Pierce, Modesto
Try outdoor dining, Modesto
If you’re looking for something safe and fun to do around town, I suggest outdoor dining at the Century Center Plaza on Orangeburg. I dined at El Maguay twice and the area is amazing. Cute plants, ceramic tile tables and even a couple pillows for the back of your chair. Mango margaritas and hefty portions that aren’t too pricey if you bring a friend from your corona bubble to split it with. I also want to shine a spotlight in their excellent service. This is my secret oasis of normalcy in the midst of the pandemic.
Ciao Bella is also really good next door. Donoby’s has a cute outdoor area set up with haystacks across the street. Ridgway’s has twinkly lights and that alone earns them a mention. Happy outdoor dining, and stay safe.
Leola Washington, Modesto
Blaming everyone for everything
Next month I will begin my 83rd year. As I turn another year toward death, I am frustrated, ashamed and above all angry.
Since 2016, Donald Trump has turned a nation which prided itself on being “a city on a hill” into a pariah state, mocked and pitied by other countries. Trump has built his presidency on lies, thousands of them, beginning with the racist birther lie. His RINO enablers have been afraid to challenge them, and they have festered in our country like untreated cancers.
When the COVID crisis began, even Trump’s lies could not hide it. When he was first told about this pandemic, Trump called it a hoax, said it would just fade away, “like a miracle.” Now, 160,000-plus dead, crowded ICUs, a hollowed-out economy, people unable to comfort their loved ones as they die — this is no hoax.
Trump offers no leadership, no comprehension, no compassion — just more lies. He is incompetent, whining about his bad luck, blaming the media, China, the Democrats. Weak. Any other president in my lifetime would have been strong enough to tell the truth, trust the people and design a plan to combat this virus, slow its spread, save lives. But we have Trump.
Paul Neumann, Modesto