Good afternoon. While Christmas shopping out of town, I read the story regarding the Christmas Tree lighting fiasco. The BEE's View is that this was not the worst thing to happen in Modesto.
Well, of course, it is not the worst by a long stretch. However, it is ample evidence of the inept governance in our little town.Let me see if I can summarize what happened. We have a City Manager ($240,000 annually), a Mayor ($43,200 annually), six councilmen ($24,000 annually), a whole bunch of department managers ($140,000 annually), another bigger bunch of middle managers ($90,000 annually) and about 900 other city workers ($55,000 on average annually).
These folks were notified of, and went to, a celebration on the Plaza to watch the city Christmas Tree get lit. Then the wheels fell off.Someone forgot to bring the lights.At first, this looks like a silly little thing. The fact is, this is the way Modesto is being governed. Apparently, no one talks to any one else.
Even the people in charge of being in charge do not talk to each other. That is why they hire consultants to do all the thinking. (Note: they forgot to hire a Christmas Tree Lighting Consultant.) That is why the half-mile road to Enochs High took 2 ½ years to build. That is why they decided to build out Pelandale in 2004, and finished it in 2009. (Note: neither road has any drainage or street lights.)
That is why Village One failed, and why the rest of the city projects take at least three times longer than planned. That is why they never have any money, but always have enough to hire consultants.
That is why your water rates keep going up, but they never do a water project. That is why your sewer rates will sky rocket, but they won't build a sewer project for 10 years. That is why neighborhood parks get built at least 10 years after the neighborhood is completed. That is why we are rated by everyone, where we are rated; pretty much dead last.
Did you know that the official city plan called for both Claus and Roselle to be built out in 1995? Neither project is even half built now in 2009. Did you know that you just voted to nix the annexation of 5 farmland areas, but the city council is continuing the process of annexation? Imagine that.Of course, they will castigate anyone who criticizes their inability to accomplish anything on time, under budget.
But, when we bring good ideas & constructive suggestions to them, do they listen? Absolutely not. In fact, after you have used up your 3 minutes, they gavel you down, and you are told to sit down and shut up. Another reason to shop out of town.
As ever, Dave
