Letters to the editor | Modesto Bee readers sound off

Root of MJC instability

Re “Why can’t MJC find a president who might stick around awhile?” (Page 1C, Dec. 18): A strong hint to the answer of that question is found in recent history. In the last three years the Yosemite Community College Board has dismissed three senior MJC managers: two presidents, and one vice president for instruction. Were they all incompetent ? The record says, “no.” Two have been selected as chancellors of multi-campus community college districts and the other has been a finalist for similar positions. That means the Yosemite board must have decided that all three had done something contrary to its policies or goals for the college. What egregious errors resulted in those firings? Which district goals were ill-served by these managers? No one in district leadership will answer those questions.

The Bee wishes,”Perhaps it is time that MJC were led by someone schooled in these parts, someone who knows Modesto’s heart and wants to stay here.”

Knowing recent history, why would anyone who actually wants to stay here ever apply for the job? Securing it seems a sure thing to produce an unexplained invitation to leave town.

Steve Collins, Modesto

More street piles coming

I have to agree with other letter writers who do not like Modesto’s new garbage can policy — it stinks. Or it will, literally. Put food waste in the green can and let it sit for two weeks? Just wait until summer — our neighborhoods will smell so nice and clouds of flies will be so attractive.

If I understand correctly, the city decided it would cost each of us an additional $3 per month to have both the blue and green cans out every week. That is just silly, to think that we would trade weekly green can pickup to save three bucks.

Since in every season except winter we fill the green can with garden waste, and we will only have half the capacity because of food waste, the excess will now go on the street. Get ready for bigger piles of leaves, branches and clippings.

Bad decision, Modesto.

Raymond Prevost, Modesto

Local government is rigged

Attending Riverbank’s Dec. 13 city council was like watching a rapidly deflating hot air balloon on its way to impact. The realization among the crowd: the game was rigged. Hope and honesty are concepts from the past. These politicians have the outcome determined before the rest of us can catch on.

Fairness in local politics is a shame. A majority of dissenting residents is required to defeat their proposals. How about changing that concept to a majority of residents is required to approve their proposals? How about canceling immunity for elected officials? If LLC is good enough for corporate America it should be good enough for city government. Elected and appointed officials being sued in court would be a better deterrent than trying to recall or impeach these people.

And what happened to affordable housing at Crossroads West? $500,000 for a started home? Like so many of their promises: the lottery will bail out schools; the gas tax will repair our roads; marijuana dispensaries will reduce crime; recycling will reduce plastic pollution. How can you tell a politician is lying? Their lips are moving.

We keep on waiting, waiting for the world to change.

Rick Kimble, Riverbank

No hero, Pence

My byline should read “Befuddled” because the constant and impermanent changes of life often result in my head spinning. Henry Olsen called Mike Pence a courageous and principled public servant. The absurdity of this observation began another head spin. Pence is not the least bit courageous for having refused to serve Donald Trump’s insane demand to nullify certification of the 2020 election. It was an easy and dutiful refusal, but courageous? Hardly, for a man of principle. How far from decency have we traveled when a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, as Olsen is, can throw such nonsense about?

Should I expect such accolades for stopping at stoplights as a natural matter of community responsibility and duty to my contract to obey vehicle regulations? No. The analogy is fair since Pence swore to uphold the laws of the land and serve our country honorably, just as I agreed to obey traffic laws. Damn Pence and his ultimate need to be president! No one forced him to lie with the rabid jackal, no one beyond his own ambition. The absolute shame is that Republican ethics are waste.

Tim Buchanan, Modesto

This story was originally published January 15, 2023 at 7:00 AM.