Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts should merge | Letters to the editor
Why not merge utilities?
This letter is addressed to board members of both Modesto Irrigation District and Turlock Irrigation District. Now is the time to combine both utility districts into one organization.
Only 20 miles apart, we have two headquarters, two administrations, two operating departments, and separate crew scheduling, including emergency responders. To further reduce costs, combined purchasing power will help. Also look closely at high service reliability costs. We can live with a few more electric outages. Gold-plated infrastructure is expensive. Maximize equipment, vehicles and employees. Take a little more capacity risks. Employee costs are a big part of cost control. Look for less expensive benefit packages. One last suggestion; charge each class of customer the actual cost to serve.
A new MTID will better serve all customers.
Bill Seavy, Modesto
Modesto neighborhood nightmare
On my street where I’ve lived over 35 years, a neighbor has lost control of his own back yard to dozens of homeless and drug addicts. He is a gentle and reclusive man who let a relative park his SUV in his driveway temporarily. That turned into years and the relative let all the street people he met camp out in the back yard, which is large. We neighbors have watched for almost a year drug deals — cars pulling up, someone coming out to their car for a moment and leaving, all out in the open on a regular basis. Most happen in the back and to the side of the house so the police say they can’t do anything or go in the back without cause. Neighbors on all three sides complain of needles thrown over their fence.
Jack Smith, Modesto
Be generous with nonprofits
It sure is going to be a cold winter, and local charities are asking folks to look in their clothes for usable coats and jackets that can be donated to help keep low-income persons warm this winter.
Simple ideas can go a long way. In this season of giving, it makes people feel good to give to those in need. I encourage those who can to donate items or cash to local charities. Local nonprofits have websites where you may donate. No amount will be refused. Maybe you can afford to spread it around a bit. Trust me, your charity will be welcomed. It’s also easy to write a check and drop it in the mail for those who do not have access to the internet. Food banks and pantries use cash donations to help give a few extras during the holiday season.
Food insecurity is common to the elderly and children on the low-income threshold. Donations made here stay here to benefit friends and neighbors.
Daniel Marsh, Modesto
Political games in the Senate
If you like irony, the Senate can deliver. Most observers blame Trump, not Mitch McConnell, for the red-wave flop, but like everything else, it’s more complicated than that.
McConnell, whose leadership was threatened, could’ve purged Trump from politics by voting to impeach him for the insurrection. Instead, McConnell gave a long-winded speech about how the Justice Department should handle Trump.
But Biden chose Merrick Garland, a cautious, constitutional scholar, for attorney general instead of a hard-nosed cop who might have indicted Trump early and often. That’s where the irony comes in. If McConnell hadn’t blocked Garland’s nomination for the Supreme Court, Biden might’ve tapped a cop who’d busted Trump, then MAGA voters would’ve installed GOP senators and Mitch’s leadership would have been assured with no problem.
The moral of the story, Mitch, is next time, just follow the Constitution.
J. Jason Gale, Riverbank
Hats off to Prospect Theater Project
“Now and Then” a play comes along such as this, dealing with how consequential and comedic our life choices are. Regardless of your age, you will relate to this play. This is the reason we keep coming back to The Prospect for excellent local theater. Kudos to the cast.
Betty Stewart, Denair
Never drink and drive
The holiday season comes with family gatherings, social time with friends, and office parties. These joyful events can lead to life-altering consequences, like drunken driving.
When I was 16 years old in 1992, a drunken driver hit me. I had a four-month coma, broken bones, paralysis and brain injuries. My gait and speech are affected and I lost my driving and hearing abilities. For 30 years, I have read lips and cannot fully enjoy music anymore.
Planning to take Highway 99 to attend a holiday gathering? Make smart decisions now if you plan to drink: Don’t drive drunk. Law enforcement and I urge you to have a sober friend or taxi drive you to and from.
My message to drive sober will never get old because it saves lives. Having a sober driver is a superb way to begin 2023.
Lori Martin, Tracy