Letters to the editor | Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022: Jobs would help Modesto housing dearth
Bring better jobs to Modesto
Re “Why Modesto builders don’t construct affordable homes” (Page 6A, Feb. 4): The American Solidarity Party promotes and encourages affordable housing. Affordable Housing is a characteristic of a “Pro-Life for the Whole Life” approach to empowering residents to live full and productive lives. Certainly, Mr. Frohman touched on some very important specifics that must be addressed at the local level in order to create the Modesto we all want and deserve.
I joined my family here in Modesto because I was priced out of living in my hometown. I became a super-commuter and endured that lifestyle for the next 20 years. I tried to participate in this community but was limited by the excessive commute.
All residents deserve a clean, safe, healthy place with affordable rents and access to infrastructure that allows them to live lives that are rich and full.
I believe Mr. Frohman has part of the answer as to why this is not happening in our city. I also believe offering people work that will allow them to pay rent, buy food, participate in life at the level they want will come only through the establishment of a local economy that provides that, and that means getting businesses to come here.
Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto
Affordable housing creates blight
Re “Why Modesto builders don’t construct affordable homes” (Page 6A, Feb. 4): Ex-council member Bruce Frohman indicates that “affordable housing refers to the construction of homes for hard-working wage earners making $10 to $15 per hour,” and he stipulates that builders should “pay their own way” with no subsidies to the building industry.
Ask yourself this question: What kind of home — with land, labor rates and materials as expensive as they are today — do you think could be built for less than $150,000? It is not a house I would want to see in my neighborhood and I doubt very much you would want it in yours.
Assumptions about the homeless being victims of high-priced housing is mostly inaccurate. Every homeless person has a story, but by and large they are in that situation because of drugs, mental illness or lacking marketable skills. Inexpensive housing will not fundamentally help most of these community members. What it will do is create blight, and that is the reason the City Council and home builders keep kicking the proverbial can down the road.
Jerome Handley, Turlock
Deadly crash was avoidable
This running of red lights and stop signs has got to stop. I was horrified when I read about the awful crash at the Carver and Briggsmore intersection. I can’t imagine how badly the semi driver must feel that three young people died. Not his fault. On top of all that, some passengers were not wearing seat belts. I believe some of this crazy behavior is due to automobile advertisers showing their beautiful, shiny new cars zooming around corners and driving unsafely on curvy roads. I guess this is supposed to appear exciting.
I was third in line at an intersection recently when the light turned red. The two cars ahead of me ran the red light, much to my surprise. When the light turned green, I pulled up right behind them. Running that red light didn’t gain them an inch in traffic, but created a potentially deadly situation. I live in a rural area with a four-way stop on my corner. I see people zoom through the intersection daily. Twice my husband barely escaped a wreck. Speed kills.
Linda Cover, Modesto
Rangers make parks safer
Re “Modesto launching park rangers pilot program” (Front Page, Jan. 28-29): Thanks to the Modesto City Council for implementing the new park rangers pilot program to combat low-level crime in our parks. As a frequent park user, I welcome their presence and willingness to make our parks safer.
Recently I have noted a lot more e-bikes zooming along the Dry Creek Trail at alarming speeds. In fact, I witnessed last week a cycling accident when a senior citizen on his bike was trying to avoid an oncoming e-bike that was traveling at a high rate of speed along the trail. Hopefully, our new park rangers will be able to educate all riders about sharing the trail and needing to be mindful of their speed.
Nancy L. Kramer, Modesto
Screen the hyperbole, Bee
Re “Pardon insurrectionists?” (Letters, Feb. 6): It is important that we do what we can to tamp down the poisonous epidemic of partisan and emotional fervor. There is much that is beyond our control, but our local news is not. These are stories and opinions of our neighbors and co-workers. And yes, we get riled up, but we should not grant even neighbors the right to publish hyperbolic misinformation that only serves to heighten anger.
In a letter to the editor, the author states that at the Jan. 6, 2020 demonstration “four policemen were killed.” This is false. Not one policeman was killed that day, nor did any die later from injuries sustained that day. Four police committed suicide days and weeks after, and one, Officer Brian Sicknick, who initially falsely declared to have been beaten with a fire extinguisher, actually died the next day of natural causes according to Washington Chief Medical Examiner Francisco Diaz.
As our most prominent local newspaper, The Modesto Bee needs to do better. We don’t need hyperbole and misinformation, even in letters to the editor. We need facts and reason.
Joyce Parker, Escalon
A clean energy solution
Solar and wind power are awesome. But consider this: On a hot, still, overcast day in July, the power companies still must produce the power necessary to keep us happy. Imagine what would happen if we had a brownout every time a cloud blocked the sun or we had a windless day. So, no matter how much wind and solar energy we generate, the power companies must build and maintain gas turbines, dams and coal-fired power plants so that we don’t have those brownouts. Because the power companies must pay for all of the energy generated on our garage roofs, I am forced to subsidize that source of power.
The San Luis Reservoir is a giant, rechargeable battery. On sunny, windy days, all of our rooftop solar collectors and wind turbines would power pumps to pump water into the reservoir. The water-driven turbines at the San Luis facility produce a reliable source of power 24-7. Keep in mind that this is expensive electricity. Pumping water into the reservoir requires huge amounts of energy. However, it is clean electricity.
If we are serious about our ecological footprint, then building more San Luis reservoirs is clearly part of the solution.
John Arnold, Modesto
Still bowing to Trump
It is frightening that the United States came very close to experiencing the kind of political coup that happen in other parts of the world where democracy is less stable.
Aspects of this coup include: Trump calling the Republican election leaders from many states including Georgia, where he beseeched them to “find” enough votes for him to win. Trump inviting “Proud Boys” and other extremists who attacked the Capitol trying to stop the certification of the election. Trump and his lieutenants endlessly parroting the “big lie” trying to convince their gullible followers of crazy conspiracies that included a claim of an Italian military satellite changing votes. Republicans in seven states submitted forged false electoral certifications. An executive order was developed and printed directing the military to seize voting apparatus. Former Vice President Pence was put under extreme pressure to declare that Trump had actually won the election.
All of this was deeply frightening. What is terrifying is that the Republican leaders are still bowing down to Trump and doing his work. The response to an attempted coup should not be a conservative-liberal issue; all American patriots should be reacting in horror to what almost happened.
Blake Mittan, Modesto
Waitress goes extra mile
As my wife and I were out for lunch, I dropped a wad of cash. Not knowing this, we blissfully left after having having a delightful lunch. A second waitress cleaning up the table noted the money and contacted our waitress, asking if she knew us. She did not, and the money was turned into management at once. Our waitress told them she had seen us with our granddaughters and great-granddaughters at lunch a week or two earlier, and she would try to find us through a high school connection. She was able to accomplish this even though my granddaughter has a new name.
Modesto should be very proud that we have people among us who have the integrity and selflessness to react in such a manner. These are the people among us who are often treated with little respect, and too frequently, rudeness. Please remember they may be your best friend when needed.
Clair Hansen, Modesto
Well done, Gallo center
Kudos to Modesto Rotary for bringing such an outstanding show to the Gallo center. The Face 2 Face tribute to Sir Elton John and Billy Joel, with dueling pianos and great vocals, brought back fond memories. The music of these two icons has been enjoyed and will continue to be enjoyed for years to come. Thanks for giving us such a fun evening, and the opportunity to help raise funds for all the worthy programs you support. I’m already looking forward to seeing what musical tribute you have planned for next year.
Janice Lucero, Modesto