Racial bigotry in Modesto = dangerous ignorance | Letters to the editor, Oct. 2, 2022

Racial bigotry is dangerous ignorance

Re “Flyers left anonymously at homes decry Modesto’s effort to diversify city workforce”: That Latino men are half the craft workers in the county but only one fifth of Modesto’s workforce in that category is a good justification for the city improving its outreach to such an underrepresented group. What the flyers say is funny but also represents a dangerous ignorance.

White people do have privilege. I’m a white middle-class U.S. citizen who worked almost 45 years. If I can understand that white people are privileged over some other types, there’s hope that many others can also understand it. I would be proud to be a Marxist, socialist or anti-capitalist, but there are so many causes and so little time; I haven’t made the effort yet. Those things are better than fascism and theft-capitalism — which also exist in the U.S.

What the “community’s children” really need protection from is bigotry. If you differ from some locally held notion, in any way, you may be discriminated against or targeted, too, as I’ve been in two different ways at different times. We are all only safe when bigots and ignorant people have less power.

John Lehman, Atwater

Vote no on Measure H

The mayor and all members of our Modesto City Council have placed measures on the November ballot. Measure H proposes to raise the sales tax by 1%. You should know that this is a general tax which means that 50% plus one vote is enough to pass it. Our civic leaders want you to believe that this tax will principally fund police and fire. That is a half-truth. A general tax can be spent any way this or future councils choose to spend it. To make matters worse, there is no time limit on the measure — the tax is there forever. A more honest measure would have been a specific tax for police and fire but that would require voter approval by 66.6%.

We are in a high inflation period and some speculate there is a recession in the near term. Goods and services have gone up by more than 8% and wages have lagged behind by more than 3%. Gasoline at the pump is back over $5 a gallon, groceries are up by 14% and costs for utilities this winter are expected to skyrocket.

The timing for a new tax is all wrong. Vote no on Measure H.

Joan Clendenin, Modesto

Gray for Congress

The Valley has to contend with the most pressing dangers of climate change — flooding, prolonged drought, loss of species, loss of food production. For a brighter future, we must change how we view this wonderful Valley. If we work with what nature provides, we can create greater resilience and abundance.

Assemblyman Adam Gray has been pivotal in providing River Partners with a transformational opportunity. His efforts in the Assembly resulted in an allocation of $40 million that will allow us and key stakeholders to restore floodplains along many of our rivers. Our goal is to restore strategically located properties, allowing future floods that experts predict will become more frequent and intense to spread out and diminish threats to downstream communities. It will provide greater groundwater storage, protection for native species and green jobs that strengthen local economies.

This work requires a significant investment, which Gray delivered through the state budget process. Doing that required the vision to see the dangers and possibilities we face — and determination to act. Gray combines that vision and determination with collaborative problem-solving, which is why I urge everyone concerned about the Valley’s future to vote for Adam Gray for Congress.

Julie Rentner, president, River Partners, Chico

Keep Bublak as Turlock mayor

Four years ago, Turlock was in economic shambles and suffering from poor city employee morale. Fortunately, we have turned around under Mayor Amy Bublak’s leadership.

I have known Amy for over 40 years, and I believe she has made the right decisions during unprecedented circumstances. She showed the proper fiscal discipline when an influx of federal money arrived to help us through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She has tackled large and small issues, including a city hall reorganization. Finally, I was pleased to hear our city streets would undergo repairs this year. It’s beyond time we stop putting Band-Aids over potholes and ensure our roads, bike lanes, and walkways are safe for all to use.

Larry Rumbeck, Turlock

Robertson for Senate

As a wise woman once said, “Any ol’ Blue, just won’t do.” Which is why we need Tim Robertson in the state Senate. Robertson stands firmly for the needs and values of working families. He is very aware of the complex challenges with our water. He serves on the Keyes Community Services District board and supports effective water storage and the need to stop sending water to Southern California.

Robertson also understands the complex effects of climate change and supports investments in renewable and clean energy and partnering with industry to create realistic solutions. He supports state money being available to smaller communities so they are able to build affordable housing which helps keeps students and people with lower paying jobs with a roof over their heads. Drugs have had a serious impact on the homeless population. Robertson supports effective treatment programs with accountability.

Tim Robertson has been endorsed by Josh Harder, Anna Caballero, Planned Parenthood, California Professional Firefighters, California Medical Association, California Nurses Association and the California Teachers Association. Let’s send someone to Sacramento with brains, great values and willingness to work hard for our district.

Victoria Stewart, Modesto

Caring for Modesto

Re “Driving Roselawn is scary” (Letters, Sept. 25): I encourage Modesto residents to download the Go Modesto app. It’s a place where you can request bulky item pickup, report a street light out or report something like abandoned vehicles. There’s also a place where you can see what’s been reported. I’m sure the tree cleanup on Roselawn can be requested.

Debra Carrillo, Modesto

Save us, conservatives

The direction the Biden administration is taking us without any roadblocks from elected officials to stop the spending is going to send us into a depression.

Apparently, the liberal politicians in Washington, D.C. have decided to make the rest of the country turn into a swamp also.

Gerald J. Avila, Turlock

Bullies on a world stage

Both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are anachronisms from a former age that is incongruous with the present.

Much of the world has moved toward seeking to ban nuclear weapons and in favor of world peace. That Putin is even talking about using nuclear weapons and Trump affirming his threat illustrate that they are from a bygone era of bullies and megalomaniacs.

Penny Williams, Patterson

This story was originally published October 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.