Evelyn Waller: Modesto should have a parade to mourn passing of great city
Re “Justice Delayed” (Page 1A, Nov. 6): More bad news for our little town. Like we need anymore. Now add the latest “worst city for (fill in the blank) list” – worst murder trial backlog in the state? Yikes! “Hey bad guys! Come to our city and take someone’s life; you’ll likely die of old age before being tried.”
What happened to the headlines about not prosecuting property crimes and so forth due to funds being necessary for more serious crimes? But hey, we got an airplane now and more rich farmland to pave over.
How can we keep making these awful lists? Especially this one: “1 of 10 worst-run cities in America.” Geez, if this keeps up will we be the American city making the most “worst city” lists? Seems we have some large-ish problems that our city leaders are missing or ignoring. The death of a city once as vibrant and beautiful as ours was is a sad thing indeed. I think we should have a funeral procession right up to the courthouse steps, carrying a coffin for every list Modesto has made.
Too extreme you say? Too dramatic? Probably. But one can dream.
Evelyn Waller, Modesto
Editor’s note: Modesto is considering, but has not purchased, a small airplane for police use; Modesto was not among the 60 cities on the Wallet Hub “Worst and Best Run Cities” list of 2015 or the 24/7 Wall Street list of 2014.
This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Evelyn Waller: Modesto should have a parade to mourn passing of great city."