Parklawn United Neighbors stepping up to the plate requesting Measure M for annexation in Modesto California...
By S. Hansen
Parklawn, is an almost exclusively Latino community on the edge of the city of Modesto and completely within the City of Modesto’s sphere of influence. The community receives water from the city of Modesto but has no sewer system” …“septic systems are failing due, in part, to soil composition and population density.
The community also lacks sidewalks, storm water drainage, and adequate garbage removal.” “the city of Modesto’s failure to annex the area stands out. Exclusion from the city means that basic services, such as sewer treatment, are missing. In addition, there is disagreement between the involved parties as to who is responsible for service provision.
That is, the county government wants the city to provide sewer extensions. Meanwhile the city government wants the county and low income residents to provide services such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and streetlights, in order make the community consistent with Modesto’s municipal code, before it will provide an extension of sewer services.
http://www.ruralhome.org/storage/documents/winter09.pdf
With the above history noted, current members of Parklawn United Neighbors bravely stood before Modesto’s City Council requesting they be put on the November 2010 ballot with a Measure M vote (annexation vote).It was heart wrenching hearing the stories of neglect that these families have endured throughout several generations.I was extremely appalled that Dave Lopez and Brad Hawn would question what amount the current residence of Parklawn are willing to pay.
I am equally appalled Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour and Kristie Olson continue to site the political “merry-go-round” policy of “who should pay” that is currently in affect in Modesto and Stanislaus County.The correct questions Modesto’s City Council members should have asked are, haven’t they (Parklawn) already paid enough?
Or an even better question would have been; why hasn’t Modesto California or Stanislaus County applied for the millions of dollars available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to improve or extend sewer services?I have heard that local leadership related to neighborhood planning and development can have profound influence on public health. Yet many of the neediest communities are “mapped out” of the city limits creating a Zero-sum game of tax resources.
Until local governments (Modesto / Stanislaus County) take responsibility for the widespread disadvantages that they have allowed and perpetuated, our neighbors within the Parklawn neighborhood will live without the most basic elements of a healthy community.This will take leadership, real leadership.It appears Dave Geer is stepping into this leadership role, his frustration came to a boiling point when he articulated he was at the point of demanding something be done.
I applaud him for this.Surprisingly Modesto City Council voted to put Parklawn up for the Measure M vote. Unfortunately they spoke of an exit clause, that being if an agreement is not reached between Modesto and Stanislaus County by the Measure M printing deadline it could be taken off the ballot.
My guess….it will be dropped...
What are your thoughts?
