Thank you, Stanislaus County, for recognizing April as Assyrian Heritage Month | Opinion
Feeling welcomed
“A festival of Assyrian culture, food and entertainment in Turlock,” (modbee.com, Aug. 19, 2016)
Assyrians in Stanislaus County celebrated the Assyrian New Year of 6774 at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 26. The board proclaimed April as Assyrian Heritage Month. The Assyrian settlement began over 130 years ago with the late Rev. Dr. Isaac Adams, a visionary and a pioneer who settled Assyrian families here to farm in search of hope, opportunity and prosperity.
Today, almost 50,000 Assyrians call Stanislaus County home. By standing with us to recognize April as Assyrian heritage month, you have made us feel valued and welcome. Thank you.
Carmen Morad
Assyrian Wellness Collaborative
Modesto
Thank you, Bunny
“The story of Easter encourages us to follow our dreams,” (modbee.com, April 2)
Thank you for Bunny Stevens’ columns. Her columns are heartwarming, poignant, happy, life-affirming and what hometown newspaper columns should be: local. I’m so happy every time I see her in Sunday’s paper!
Leslie Wilkinson
Modesto
Concerns not being heard
“Who’s guiding San Joaquin Valley economic development, and how? Join the conversation,” (modbee.com, Nov. 14, 2023)
A recent meeting was held at the Brethren Church on Woodland Ave. to present a proposal to house homeless individuals there. Based on the meeting, it sounds like a done deal with no consideration for area homeowners or Wood Colony residents. This appears to be the city’s effort to get a foothold in Wood Colony and dispose of some of the city’s homeless to a location that removes them from city responsibility.
Logistically, it makes zero sense. There is no immediate access to medical treatment, transportation or grocery services unless the city has a plan to further encroach into Wood Colony to build those services in. When asked about the finality of this proposal or future meetings that could be attended by Woodland Ave area residents, both Economic Development representatives present were evasive.
This looks like a City of Modesto tactic to gain a foothold into Wood Colony under the guise of charitable motives. All residents who attended the session at the Brethren Church on Woodland were opposed, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Lynn Chadwick
Modesto
Care for Ukraine
“Modesto residents help Ukrainian children during Russian war,” (modbee.com, Jan. 22)
We need to encourage our representatives to send aid to Ukraine. They’ve been dealing with war and attacks for too long and need help. We need to go back to being a country that cares for people again.
Margie Sue Brogdon
Modesto