Letters to the editor | Sunday, June 26, 2022: LA traffic on Modesto’s Highway 99
LA traffic on Modesto’s Highway 99
With gasoline over $6 per gallon, motorists wonder why local government allows Caltrans to make decisions that increase congestion on State Route 99.
Every afternoon between 2 and 7 p.m., southbound 99 traffic intermittently comes to a complete stop at onramps that funnel platoons of cars onto the freeway. The worst onramps are at Kansas Avenue, H Street in Modesto, Mitchell Road in Ceres, and Keyes Road. Each onramp either slows or stops traffic in all three lanes. Stopped traffic compounds congestion as vehicles stack up in the back of the line. Commuters have noticed drive times gradually increasing, plus a commensurate increase in gasoline consumption, wasting drivers’ money. When the eastbound 132 expressway opens, more traffic will feed directly onto southbound 99, compounding congestion. A simple, inexpensive solution is to install metering lights at all chokepoints.
Why is 99 allowed to function more poorly than a Los Angeles freeway? With the state having a $97.5 billion budget surplus and Stanislaus County sitting on $250 million cash, plus the half-percent road tax, no legitimate excuse exists for not fixing the problem.
Bruce R. Frohman, Modesto
Hold Trump accountable for Jan. 6
At congressional hearings, two African American women (mother and daughter) who had lawfully and legitimately helped with the vote count in Georgia testified how the Trump organization had posted a corrupted video of them falsely claiming that the women were helping Biden win the election. As a result, thousands of gullible Trump followers wrote nasty and threatening letters to the women and basically destroyed their lives. Apparently, some Trump followers do not care if citizens are abused if there is a chance the abuse could achieve a treasonous goal — the overturning of a fair election.
Trump’s inner circle has recently admitted that the Big Lie is a big lie. The two women are just one example of how the Big Lie has resulted in suffering and disruption of life. If Trump followers care about a humane society, they will not discount this discussion but will stand against deranged leadership and recognize that citizen abuse initiated by Trump followers is as malevolent and unacceptable as spousal abuse. If we are to have liberty and justice for all, Trump and his cronies should stand trial for crimes against our country and its citizens.
Steve Murov, Hughson
Painful void in Turlock Museum
To the Turlock Historical Society Museum, Mexican Americans have not been a part of the history of Turlock. Go in. Walk around. I did. I had to walk the small museum three times because I was in shock that the contribution of Mexican Americans in Turlock had been erased either on purpose or through blatant negligence. There was an exhibition of the history of Armenian, Scandinavian, Asian, and Portuguese people in Turlock, all groups that have helped build this great town and who, I am sure, are proud of the history they have made, as they should be.
But where is the story of Mexican Americans in Turlock? Why is it not being told by the official history archivists and writers of Turlock? Why are we invisible to them? Why don’t we matter?
When I brought it up to one of three volunteers working that day, she explained to me that most of the cultural exhibitions were created by those same cultural groups. She suggested that maybe we should do the same. At first this sounded like a great idea until you step back and look at the sign outside that reads Turlock Historical Society Museum, and then you wonder, “Isn’t that your job?”
Armando Mota, Turlock
Support Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers
At a time when more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including over 69,000 in California, prioritizing how this devastating disease is addressed remains a critical issue for our country. As a caregiver, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families across America. In 2021, caregivers provided an estimated 16 billion hours of care.
It was energizing to be on Capitol Hill as our advocates collectively met with over 500 offices. I was able to meet with Rep. Josh Harder’s senior policy adviser to explain why Congress must recommit to maintaining Alzheimer’s as a national priority.
Much progress has been made in the fight against Alzheimer’s over the last decade thanks in large part to the National Alzheimer’s Project Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act. With NAPA and AAA set to expire in 2025, updated legislation is critically needed by people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
I and the Alzheimer’s Association urge Rep. Josh Harder to address the critical national public health challenge that Alzheimer’s poses by supporting NAPA Reauthorization Act and AAA.
Melissa Shook, Modesto