By Louise Taylor
5/6/10
We are all aware of the recent gender discrimination/sexual harassment lawsuits filed against the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit was recently filed and there are at least four more waiting to go to trial.
The cost of defending the Sheriff’s Department is continuing to rise and is reflected in the recent budget cuts approved by the Board of Supervisors.As reported by the Modesto Bee, two years ago the Board of Supervisors budgeted $2.3 million dollars for the general liability fund (which covers legal expenses) for the entire county (27 departments).
One year ago, that amount was increased to $4.4 million and this year the legal expense budget is $6 million. Next year it will be $7 million. The Board of Supervisors has determined that it is necessary to increase this fund, even though the Sheriff’s Department will have to cut 52 positions for the upcoming year.
This means that there will be fewer deputies on the street because it is expected that the county will have to spend more money defending the department.The vast majority of lawsuits filed against Stanislaus County are concerning the Sheriff’s Department. I
t can reasonably be argued that people tend to sue law enforcement more often than other county departments, but the excessive amount of lawsuits against this department indicate that there is something seriously wrong with the way it is being managed.It has come to light that the Sheriff’s Department does not receive the same sexual harassment prevention training as other county departments. The basic content of the training program may be the same, and the training may be valid, but if what is taught in this training is not transferred to the workplace, it is useless.
It seems that preventing sexual harassment is not a matter of importance to Sheriff Christianson and that can only result in future lawsuits. Whether it is Sheriff Christianson himself, or one of his employees who harasses a woman, the responsibility falls on him. Women have been ignored when they complain of mistreatment, or worse yet, the work environment becomes so intolerable, they have no other option but to quit.
The sheriff even testified under oath that he had no need to investigate a complaint of this nature “because he knew it didn’t happen”. If he had investigated, it may have saved the taxpayers $1,034,715.45 (so far) in defending the department against this complaint.There are two ways we can put a stop to the snowballing cost of defending the Sheriff’s Department. One is to have a new sheriff.
The other is to have a Board of Supervisors that will be more involved in assisting the department with it’s budgeting and spending. The Board of Supervisors can put public pressure on the sheriff in order to ensure that funds are spent appropriately and not on unnecessary expenses, such as county cars being driven to week-end homes on the coast or in Lake Tahoe and covering the expense of one of those cars being involved in an accident.
Yes, there is insurance, but the county is “self-insured”, so in reality, we are paying the costs of this accident. Please register to vote. Please encourage your friends, neighbors and family members to vote.
Please vote for Rob Jackson for Sheriff.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The BoS rules Need to Change
By Emerson Drake
5/6/10
Will the County Board of Supervisors change the election rules like they were requested to?
They've been asked to consider raising the required reporting point to $99.99 and to limit the amount to $2,000.00 someone can donate to a campaign before the candidate would be required to recuse themselves when business is brought before the BoS that effects the donor.
Let people donate large sums of money but don't allow the office holder to discuss or vote for their project.
Remember Jeff Grover accepted $28,500.00 from Gerry Kamillos and then voted in favor of his "expanded" West Park project.
No one else was allowed to bid on the expanded project but with our current laws, which the BoS can change it's legal.
Also it's time to make accepting campaign contributions from vendors who basically work for you in governmant.Do we really want it to be acceptable for politicians to hold their hands out to vendors bidding contracts?
We have Adam Christianson accepting $5,800.00 in campaign contributions from Correct Care Solutions because in their words "why did we donate money to an out of state sheriff, because we got the contract."
Isn't it time for government to be accountable to all of the people and not just special interests?
I think so.
How about you?
5/6/10
Will the County Board of Supervisors change the election rules like they were requested to?
They've been asked to consider raising the required reporting point to $99.99 and to limit the amount to $2,000.00 someone can donate to a campaign before the candidate would be required to recuse themselves when business is brought before the BoS that effects the donor.
Let people donate large sums of money but don't allow the office holder to discuss or vote for their project.
Remember Jeff Grover accepted $28,500.00 from Gerry Kamillos and then voted in favor of his "expanded" West Park project.
No one else was allowed to bid on the expanded project but with our current laws, which the BoS can change it's legal.
Also it's time to make accepting campaign contributions from vendors who basically work for you in governmant.Do we really want it to be acceptable for politicians to hold their hands out to vendors bidding contracts?
We have Adam Christianson accepting $5,800.00 in campaign contributions from Correct Care Solutions because in their words "why did we donate money to an out of state sheriff, because we got the contract."
Isn't it time for government to be accountable to all of the people and not just special interests?
I think so.
How about you?
Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association Press Release
Press Release
5/3/10
MODESTO, Ca.- The Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association (SSDA) has become increasingly frustrated with what we believe to be a lack of accountability with our sheriff. This became more evident with the release of a Modesto Bee video in which misleading statements were made by Adam Christianson.
There have been many issues that we have been handling behind the scenes and dealing with as they arise,” said SSDA Vice President Ryan Killian.
“We have tried to keep these issues within the department and not take our grievances to the public. It is not the goal of our organization to be adversarial with our administration, but recently it has become increasingly apparent that it is our only recourse.”“I feel that there were several statements that were made in this video that were very misleading to the public,” said Killian. “While I understand that the office of sheriff is somewhat of a political position,
I still feel that he should be held accountable to his employees and the public.”In the recent Modesto Bee video, Christianson made several statements that he believed that the department was healthy and strong. He stated that morale was low due to the economic environment and impending layoffs. “While I will agree that the economy does have some effect on the morale, I feel that the issues run much deeper than that,” said Killian.
Acording to SSDA board members, the lack of communication and a plan for the future is much more of a morale issue than economics. There have been many instances where Christianson has done things that are in direct conflict with the employee association.Late in 2009 both Christianson and challenger Rob Jackson approached the association asking for their endorsement.
A candidate forum was held and then a vote followed and Jackson won the endorsement from the patrol deputies. Shortly after this endorsement, Christianson began to approach some of the specialty units within the department asking for their individual endorsements.“This caused some animosity and was very divisive to our organization,” said SSDA President Vince Bizzini.
“Some of these specialty units felt obligated to the sheriff and decided to endorse him even though the association as a whole had voted to support Jackson. This was used as a way to trivialize the endorsement and divide the association.”
Another issue has been the misleading postings on Christianson’s election website. Christianson currently has endorsements from the Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Political Action Committee and the Stanislaus County Custodial Deputies Association posted on his website.
What appears to be two different associations is actually only one, the custodial deputies association and their political action committee.“What is the reason for this being listed as two separate endorsements if it is not to mislead people into thinking that it is the jail deputies and us,” asked Bizzini. “This is another attempt to undermine the endorsement of our association.”In addition to misleading endorsement is the fact that the DSA name is currently under litigation.
Christianson was sent a cease and desist letter from the SSDA in regards to the use of the name on his website several months back. After initially removing the endorsement, it was put back up on his page. “These actions are counterproductive to what our association is trying to accomplish,” said Killian. “It is as though he has no respect for the employee associations or the decisions we make.”
It is not as though the sheriff was unaware of many of the issues in the department. In the 2008 department survey, administration was on the receiving end of some scathing remarks from employees. The response? A State of the Department video in which Christianson told employees that if they were not happy then maybe they should look elsewhere for employment. “How is this supposed to foster a better working relationship and good morale?” asked Bizzini.
There has not been another survey or video since then.In the Modesto Bee video, Christianson says that he has been working with the labor groups and it is important to listen to the employees. “One of the most frequent complaints I get is from people wanting to know if they will have a job,” said Killian. “I don’t know what to tell them because until very recently we have not been informed as to where the cuts would come from.”
According to Killian the SSDA was not asked to be a part of the decision making process on where the cuts should come from. “It is very concerning when you consider that the bulk of the cuts are coming to line staff while administration is kept intact,” said Killian.
“If we are going to lose 25 deputies we can probably do away with a Captain’s position or two.”Decentralization was another very divisive issue in the department. Deputies were told that there would be a trial run in the Riverbank area for about year to see if and how the program would work.
This would be an opportunity to see the program in action and make adjustments as necessary. After just a few months it was launched department-wide with very little input from the association until after it had begun.“We expressed our concerns to the sheriff and the assistant sheriff on several occasions,” said Bizzini.
“Most of our concerns were dismissed and we were told that we just needed to make it work.” The overwhelming feeling amongst the deputies is that decentralization was a failure and also a drain on resources.
The SSDA recently held a vote regarding the county’s request for a 5% pay cut. Even though the association was locked into a contract and under no obligation to accept the pay cut, they agreed to the cuts by an overwhelming number of votes. “We could see that the county was in a financial bind and felt that we could help to save jobs by taking these cuts.”
“It is never easy to stand up to your boss,” said Bizzini. “We have to do what is in the best interest of the employees that we serve. If Adam is re-elected as sheriff our hope is that he will be more accountable to the employees that work for him.”
“I have some very real concerns about the misleading statements that he has been telling the public. Either he doesn’t recognize that there are issues or he just doesn’t care.”
5/3/10
MODESTO, Ca.- The Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association (SSDA) has become increasingly frustrated with what we believe to be a lack of accountability with our sheriff. This became more evident with the release of a Modesto Bee video in which misleading statements were made by Adam Christianson.
There have been many issues that we have been handling behind the scenes and dealing with as they arise,” said SSDA Vice President Ryan Killian.
“We have tried to keep these issues within the department and not take our grievances to the public. It is not the goal of our organization to be adversarial with our administration, but recently it has become increasingly apparent that it is our only recourse.”“I feel that there were several statements that were made in this video that were very misleading to the public,” said Killian. “While I understand that the office of sheriff is somewhat of a political position,
I still feel that he should be held accountable to his employees and the public.”In the recent Modesto Bee video, Christianson made several statements that he believed that the department was healthy and strong. He stated that morale was low due to the economic environment and impending layoffs. “While I will agree that the economy does have some effect on the morale, I feel that the issues run much deeper than that,” said Killian.
Acording to SSDA board members, the lack of communication and a plan for the future is much more of a morale issue than economics. There have been many instances where Christianson has done things that are in direct conflict with the employee association.Late in 2009 both Christianson and challenger Rob Jackson approached the association asking for their endorsement.
A candidate forum was held and then a vote followed and Jackson won the endorsement from the patrol deputies. Shortly after this endorsement, Christianson began to approach some of the specialty units within the department asking for their individual endorsements.“This caused some animosity and was very divisive to our organization,” said SSDA President Vince Bizzini.
“Some of these specialty units felt obligated to the sheriff and decided to endorse him even though the association as a whole had voted to support Jackson. This was used as a way to trivialize the endorsement and divide the association.”
Another issue has been the misleading postings on Christianson’s election website. Christianson currently has endorsements from the Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Political Action Committee and the Stanislaus County Custodial Deputies Association posted on his website.
What appears to be two different associations is actually only one, the custodial deputies association and their political action committee.“What is the reason for this being listed as two separate endorsements if it is not to mislead people into thinking that it is the jail deputies and us,” asked Bizzini. “This is another attempt to undermine the endorsement of our association.”In addition to misleading endorsement is the fact that the DSA name is currently under litigation.
Christianson was sent a cease and desist letter from the SSDA in regards to the use of the name on his website several months back. After initially removing the endorsement, it was put back up on his page. “These actions are counterproductive to what our association is trying to accomplish,” said Killian. “It is as though he has no respect for the employee associations or the decisions we make.”
It is not as though the sheriff was unaware of many of the issues in the department. In the 2008 department survey, administration was on the receiving end of some scathing remarks from employees. The response? A State of the Department video in which Christianson told employees that if they were not happy then maybe they should look elsewhere for employment. “How is this supposed to foster a better working relationship and good morale?” asked Bizzini.
There has not been another survey or video since then.In the Modesto Bee video, Christianson says that he has been working with the labor groups and it is important to listen to the employees. “One of the most frequent complaints I get is from people wanting to know if they will have a job,” said Killian. “I don’t know what to tell them because until very recently we have not been informed as to where the cuts would come from.”
According to Killian the SSDA was not asked to be a part of the decision making process on where the cuts should come from. “It is very concerning when you consider that the bulk of the cuts are coming to line staff while administration is kept intact,” said Killian.
“If we are going to lose 25 deputies we can probably do away with a Captain’s position or two.”Decentralization was another very divisive issue in the department. Deputies were told that there would be a trial run in the Riverbank area for about year to see if and how the program would work.
This would be an opportunity to see the program in action and make adjustments as necessary. After just a few months it was launched department-wide with very little input from the association until after it had begun.“We expressed our concerns to the sheriff and the assistant sheriff on several occasions,” said Bizzini.
“Most of our concerns were dismissed and we were told that we just needed to make it work.” The overwhelming feeling amongst the deputies is that decentralization was a failure and also a drain on resources.
The SSDA recently held a vote regarding the county’s request for a 5% pay cut. Even though the association was locked into a contract and under no obligation to accept the pay cut, they agreed to the cuts by an overwhelming number of votes. “We could see that the county was in a financial bind and felt that we could help to save jobs by taking these cuts.”
“It is never easy to stand up to your boss,” said Bizzini. “We have to do what is in the best interest of the employees that we serve. If Adam is re-elected as sheriff our hope is that he will be more accountable to the employees that work for him.”
“I have some very real concerns about the misleading statements that he has been telling the public. Either he doesn’t recognize that there are issues or he just doesn’t care.”
THE GORILLA IN THE ROOM
By Louise Taylor
4/27/10
Today I attended the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors meeting. Sheriff Adam Christianson made a presentation to the board where he requested they approve his recommendation to cut 52 full-time positions and delete 16 vacant positions.
After his presentation, came the public comment period.
A citizen stood and addressed the board and audience.
He said he supports the frontline men and women of law enforcement and at the same time he understood and supported the board in managing their fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.
Then he said “Now we have to confront the gorilla in the room, the sheriff.” He expressed his concerns that Sheriff Christianson’s leadership and policies have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.
He specifically spoke about the following concerns: The cost of defending this department against lawsuits has reached somewhere between 2.5 and 3 millions dollars. The specific amount isn’t yet known, as the county has not received the final bill for the recent five week trail of Bill Pooley.
The legal expense of defending the department translates (so far) into 25 to 30 jobs that could have been saved if not for the failed policies and poor leadership of Sheriff Christianson.
He was concerned that the Sheriff’s Department uses its own sexual harassment prevention training, rather that the program all other county departments use and feels that this has contributed to the number of lawsuits filed.Another area of concern was that “We have county cars being driven to Monterey and Lake Tahoe at the taxpayers expense.
One of those cars was recently involved in a collision in Monterey and the county will be covering that expense.”He further stated that we are not getting much bang for our buck when it comes to the money given to the sheriff to spend.
He said “I know the board has to be frustrated since, while they approve the budgets, they can’t control how and where the sheriff spends the money”.
His last comment was to request that when Sheriff Christianson loses this election, that he resign immediately and allow the new sheriff to take over, as Christianson did when he was elected.
ADAM’S REQUEST TO THE BOARD WAS GRANTED -WILL THE CITIZENS?
4/27/10
Today I attended the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors meeting. Sheriff Adam Christianson made a presentation to the board where he requested they approve his recommendation to cut 52 full-time positions and delete 16 vacant positions.
After his presentation, came the public comment period.
A citizen stood and addressed the board and audience.
He said he supports the frontline men and women of law enforcement and at the same time he understood and supported the board in managing their fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.
Then he said “Now we have to confront the gorilla in the room, the sheriff.” He expressed his concerns that Sheriff Christianson’s leadership and policies have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.
He specifically spoke about the following concerns: The cost of defending this department against lawsuits has reached somewhere between 2.5 and 3 millions dollars. The specific amount isn’t yet known, as the county has not received the final bill for the recent five week trail of Bill Pooley.
The legal expense of defending the department translates (so far) into 25 to 30 jobs that could have been saved if not for the failed policies and poor leadership of Sheriff Christianson.
He was concerned that the Sheriff’s Department uses its own sexual harassment prevention training, rather that the program all other county departments use and feels that this has contributed to the number of lawsuits filed.Another area of concern was that “We have county cars being driven to Monterey and Lake Tahoe at the taxpayers expense.
One of those cars was recently involved in a collision in Monterey and the county will be covering that expense.”He further stated that we are not getting much bang for our buck when it comes to the money given to the sheriff to spend.
He said “I know the board has to be frustrated since, while they approve the budgets, they can’t control how and where the sheriff spends the money”.
His last comment was to request that when Sheriff Christianson loses this election, that he resign immediately and allow the new sheriff to take over, as Christianson did when he was elected.
ADAM’S REQUEST TO THE BOARD WAS GRANTED -WILL THE CITIZENS?
Making a Difference on the BoS
By Emerson Drake
4/22/10
In June we have one of those rare chances to make deference in our and our children’s lives. We have several extremely important decisions facing us at the polls.We have the opportunity to change the way the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors envisions the future of this county.
At the present we have a group of men determined to allow a greedy developer to build homes with the creation of jobs being secondary.Carmen Sabatino and Terry Withrow are against the West Park project as it has been designed.
Unfortunately Dick Monteith has been scared by the prospect of Gerry Kamilos contributing to his opponents so he has knuckled under and become a supporter of this misguided attempt at an industrial park(remember Kamilos’ $28,500.00 donation to Jeff Grover just prior to the last election.)
Gerry Kamilos with his “Wizard of OZ” like refrain, if I only had a train, has failed miserably to bring jobs to Stanislaus County for several years now but the Board steadfastly refuses to even consider allowing someone else to take the project over.
To this point in time only Jim DeMartini has stood against this greed and manipulation of the electoral process.
It’s time us our heads and get him some help since he’s been out voted every time the project comes up.
Carmen Sabatino and Terry Withrow are the men for the job.
4/22/10
In June we have one of those rare chances to make deference in our and our children’s lives. We have several extremely important decisions facing us at the polls.We have the opportunity to change the way the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors envisions the future of this county.
At the present we have a group of men determined to allow a greedy developer to build homes with the creation of jobs being secondary.Carmen Sabatino and Terry Withrow are against the West Park project as it has been designed.
Unfortunately Dick Monteith has been scared by the prospect of Gerry Kamilos contributing to his opponents so he has knuckled under and become a supporter of this misguided attempt at an industrial park(remember Kamilos’ $28,500.00 donation to Jeff Grover just prior to the last election.)
Gerry Kamilos with his “Wizard of OZ” like refrain, if I only had a train, has failed miserably to bring jobs to Stanislaus County for several years now but the Board steadfastly refuses to even consider allowing someone else to take the project over.
To this point in time only Jim DeMartini has stood against this greed and manipulation of the electoral process.
It’s time us our heads and get him some help since he’s been out voted every time the project comes up.
Carmen Sabatino and Terry Withrow are the men for the job.
Kristin Olsen Ignored Her Constituents
Byb Emerson Drake
4/19/10
Kristin Olsen, the Shopping Cart Princess who also is known as the Duchess of Dumpster Diving Ignored Her Constituents in order to campaign and preen for the cameras.
Those of us who went to last Tuesday's city council meeting witnessed a wanna be Assembly candidate pander to the camera while one neighborhood begged for help.
After listening to her highness tell the viewers how she and Chief Harden were going to see what could be done, one of the residents came to the podium and reminded anyone listening that he and his neighbors had been to see the Chief repeatedly and the Chief ignored them.
Then he told the listeners how he had spent four hours outside Olsen's office waiting to see her while she was apparently dealing with her assembly campaign issues.
Imagine waiting four hours and getting nowhere, and now for the camera she's going to wave her royal magic wand and make the problems with the Methadone clinic, that the city and Olsen have refused to address for more than five years, go away.
Well, she solved her husbands identity theft issues with her dumpster diving ordinance and she corralled up all of the runaway shopping carts so maybe once she gets done campaigning for a job she doesn't have, she''ll get around to the one she does have.
I guess her campaign is having a hard time getting Jeff Jardine to write hit pieces on the other four candidates.
4/19/10
Kristin Olsen, the Shopping Cart Princess who also is known as the Duchess of Dumpster Diving Ignored Her Constituents in order to campaign and preen for the cameras.
Those of us who went to last Tuesday's city council meeting witnessed a wanna be Assembly candidate pander to the camera while one neighborhood begged for help.
After listening to her highness tell the viewers how she and Chief Harden were going to see what could be done, one of the residents came to the podium and reminded anyone listening that he and his neighbors had been to see the Chief repeatedly and the Chief ignored them.
Then he told the listeners how he had spent four hours outside Olsen's office waiting to see her while she was apparently dealing with her assembly campaign issues.
Imagine waiting four hours and getting nowhere, and now for the camera she's going to wave her royal magic wand and make the problems with the Methadone clinic, that the city and Olsen have refused to address for more than five years, go away.
Well, she solved her husbands identity theft issues with her dumpster diving ordinance and she corralled up all of the runaway shopping carts so maybe once she gets done campaigning for a job she doesn't have, she''ll get around to the one she does have.
I guess her campaign is having a hard time getting Jeff Jardine to write hit pieces on the other four candidates.
The City Council Panders to the Camera While Residents Suffer
By Emerson Drake
4/17/10
We’ve seen this same scenario before the City Council pretends to care, and when the cameras are turned off the concern for citizens goes away.
Last Tuesday night we witnessed Kristin Olsen and Chief Harden claim to care and say they would see what could be done for the beleaguered residents of Modesto Ave. near McHenry where the Methadone Clinic resides.
Neighbor after neighbor stood up and told a compelling tale of harassment and neglect from the clients and Clinic itself.
Despite the claims from those council members who are running for a variety of offices, we were told by one, he had waited in Kristin Olsen’s office for her for four hours to get the opportunity to discuss this with her.
Several residents told how they had been to Chief Harden to ask for help but had been ignored.This is how one resident (Modesto Ave Mike) later described it to the Council.:I am the person who spoke about how it is unsafe for his 11 month old daughter to play in her own yard.
Although she is not yet old enough to play outside I hope that when she is, she will be able to. I know this blog provides a brief synopsis of the council events, but I'm disappointed that the exact reason why it is unsafe for my daughter to play in her yard was omitted.She will not be allowed to play in the front yard while the clinic is operating.
There are many dangers directly attributed to this clinic such as speeding drivers, sketchy people loitering in and around my front yard, many cars have been hit by impaired drivers leaving the clinic, etc.I would like to believe that she can at least use her own backyard someday without these types of threats to her safety. But unfortunately she cannot.
I found a urine sample bottle from the clinic in my backyard. It has the name of the clinic, Aegis Medical, right on the label. What if my daughter had found it before I did and put it in her mouth? She could conceivably contract Hepatitis. It is an obvious breach in protocol that their biohazard is ending up in my backyard. The negligence is astounding.
I put up with being awoken at 5 am each morning either by cursing or loud car stereos that rattle the aged glass in my 90 year old home. I put up with people vomiting in my gutter. I put up with many daily nuisances thanks to the clientele of Aegis Medical and the lack of care by their staff.
But I cannot ignore what turned up in my backyard and the threat this clinic poses to my family on a daily basis.I've brought several complaints to the people of Aegis, such as the thousands of cigarettes that lay strewn throughout dry brush on the other side of the wall that borders their property from mine.. and they always get pushed under the rug and they don't deal with it.They serve far too many patients for the facility they inhabit.
There is inadequate parking which forces people to park up and down the street, blocking private driveways, in front of fire hydrants and many times simply double parking in the middle of the road.
The only real solution to this problem is for them to move to a new facility and out of our neighborhood.The residents of Modesto Avenue have had enough and that is why we came to the City Council meeting.
Now we do know this has been an ongoing problem and the residents have been asking for help for more than five years.I guess it takes an Assembly election to get Kristin Olsen’s attention.
Unfortunately for the residents of that street, our City Council just doesn’t care once the cameras are turned off.Once again you didn’t read about this in the Bee.
I wonder why?
4/17/10
We’ve seen this same scenario before the City Council pretends to care, and when the cameras are turned off the concern for citizens goes away.
Last Tuesday night we witnessed Kristin Olsen and Chief Harden claim to care and say they would see what could be done for the beleaguered residents of Modesto Ave. near McHenry where the Methadone Clinic resides.
Neighbor after neighbor stood up and told a compelling tale of harassment and neglect from the clients and Clinic itself.
Despite the claims from those council members who are running for a variety of offices, we were told by one, he had waited in Kristin Olsen’s office for her for four hours to get the opportunity to discuss this with her.
Several residents told how they had been to Chief Harden to ask for help but had been ignored.This is how one resident (Modesto Ave Mike) later described it to the Council.:I am the person who spoke about how it is unsafe for his 11 month old daughter to play in her own yard.
Although she is not yet old enough to play outside I hope that when she is, she will be able to. I know this blog provides a brief synopsis of the council events, but I'm disappointed that the exact reason why it is unsafe for my daughter to play in her yard was omitted.She will not be allowed to play in the front yard while the clinic is operating.
There are many dangers directly attributed to this clinic such as speeding drivers, sketchy people loitering in and around my front yard, many cars have been hit by impaired drivers leaving the clinic, etc.I would like to believe that she can at least use her own backyard someday without these types of threats to her safety. But unfortunately she cannot.
I found a urine sample bottle from the clinic in my backyard. It has the name of the clinic, Aegis Medical, right on the label. What if my daughter had found it before I did and put it in her mouth? She could conceivably contract Hepatitis. It is an obvious breach in protocol that their biohazard is ending up in my backyard. The negligence is astounding.
I put up with being awoken at 5 am each morning either by cursing or loud car stereos that rattle the aged glass in my 90 year old home. I put up with people vomiting in my gutter. I put up with many daily nuisances thanks to the clientele of Aegis Medical and the lack of care by their staff.
But I cannot ignore what turned up in my backyard and the threat this clinic poses to my family on a daily basis.I've brought several complaints to the people of Aegis, such as the thousands of cigarettes that lay strewn throughout dry brush on the other side of the wall that borders their property from mine.. and they always get pushed under the rug and they don't deal with it.They serve far too many patients for the facility they inhabit.
There is inadequate parking which forces people to park up and down the street, blocking private driveways, in front of fire hydrants and many times simply double parking in the middle of the road.
The only real solution to this problem is for them to move to a new facility and out of our neighborhood.The residents of Modesto Avenue have had enough and that is why we came to the City Council meeting.
Now we do know this has been an ongoing problem and the residents have been asking for help for more than five years.I guess it takes an Assembly election to get Kristin Olsen’s attention.
Unfortunately for the residents of that street, our City Council just doesn’t care once the cameras are turned off.Once again you didn’t read about this in the Bee.
I wonder why?
The Modesto City Council want to Cheat you out of you Right to Vote
By Emerson Drake
1/12/10
Once again the Modesto City Council is plotting to take away your right to vote in an election.
They want to steal you right to vote by creating a committee which is made up of many of the usual members like Judge Hugh Rose(him again you say), yes him again.
George, Steve, and Mike have finally decided what the want to do about run off elections.
Tomorrow they start the process.
Be there to speak your mind and let your voice be heard.
One of the proposed members was at the Tea Bag party at 1010 10th St. and was cheering the "white faced Obama with the Swastika on the poster.
"You can stand up and be heard or trod slowly like a sheep to the slaughter while you watch your right as Americans slip away.
You choose.
Tuesday night 5:30 1010 10th St. basement.
1/12/10
Once again the Modesto City Council is plotting to take away your right to vote in an election.
They want to steal you right to vote by creating a committee which is made up of many of the usual members like Judge Hugh Rose(him again you say), yes him again.
George, Steve, and Mike have finally decided what the want to do about run off elections.
Tomorrow they start the process.
Be there to speak your mind and let your voice be heard.
One of the proposed members was at the Tea Bag party at 1010 10th St. and was cheering the "white faced Obama with the Swastika on the poster.
"You can stand up and be heard or trod slowly like a sheep to the slaughter while you watch your right as Americans slip away.
You choose.
Tuesday night 5:30 1010 10th St. basement.
JUST MY OPINION
By Louise Taylor
4/10/10
It seems there is no rhyme or reason behind Sheriff Adam Christianson’s method of determining if someone should be granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon.A retired Turlock police sergeant has been denied such a permit by both Sheriff Christianson and Turlock Police Chief Gary Hampton.Matt Speckman carried a gun for 30 years as a law enforcement officer.
He has obviously assisted in sending countless criminals to prison. It would seem reasonable that people such as Mr. Speckman might need protection as the years go by and those criminals are released from prison.Mr. Speckman was also the commander of the internal affairs department.
As such, he investigated an officer who chose to resign rather than be terminated. That officer was granted a CCW by Sheriff Christianson, but Mr. Speckman’s was denied.One cause for granting a CCW is the chance that the person applying may become a “victim”.
Mr. Speckman had already been a victim, having arrived at his home to be confronted by two men who broke into his house, found his gun and shot at him with it.Sheriff Christianson has approved two CCW’s for members of Turlock’s City Council.
Does he really believe city council members are more in need of protection that someone who served in law enforcement for 30 years?
Or does he want to “punish” a law enforcement officer who investigated corrupt policemen?
Or is it simply that Mr. Speckman isn’t one of Sheriff Christianson’s buddies?It’s interesting that neither Sheriff Christianson nor Chief Gary Hampton were available to speak to the Modesto Bee about this story.
I invite them both to contact the Voice of Modesto to tell their side of this story and explain to us their decision making process when dealing with concealed weapon permit applications.
4/10/10
It seems there is no rhyme or reason behind Sheriff Adam Christianson’s method of determining if someone should be granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon.A retired Turlock police sergeant has been denied such a permit by both Sheriff Christianson and Turlock Police Chief Gary Hampton.Matt Speckman carried a gun for 30 years as a law enforcement officer.
He has obviously assisted in sending countless criminals to prison. It would seem reasonable that people such as Mr. Speckman might need protection as the years go by and those criminals are released from prison.Mr. Speckman was also the commander of the internal affairs department.
As such, he investigated an officer who chose to resign rather than be terminated. That officer was granted a CCW by Sheriff Christianson, but Mr. Speckman’s was denied.One cause for granting a CCW is the chance that the person applying may become a “victim”.
Mr. Speckman had already been a victim, having arrived at his home to be confronted by two men who broke into his house, found his gun and shot at him with it.Sheriff Christianson has approved two CCW’s for members of Turlock’s City Council.
Does he really believe city council members are more in need of protection that someone who served in law enforcement for 30 years?
Or does he want to “punish” a law enforcement officer who investigated corrupt policemen?
Or is it simply that Mr. Speckman isn’t one of Sheriff Christianson’s buddies?It’s interesting that neither Sheriff Christianson nor Chief Gary Hampton were available to speak to the Modesto Bee about this story.
I invite them both to contact the Voice of Modesto to tell their side of this story and explain to us their decision making process when dealing with concealed weapon permit applications.
Heyne's justification for Capt. David
By Emersson Drake
4/7/10
The following is a statement given by Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Under sheriff Bill Heyne when interviewed by News 10 on 4/6/10:
MODESTO, CA - A Stanislaus County sheriff's captain was far from the office when he was in a department car and involved in a crash.Capt. Tim David was near Monterey where he has a second home when the non-injury crash happened.
One of his bosses said he had the sheriff's permission to have a work car so far from where he works."The sheriff said 'you can drive your car on those weekends to your vacation home in Pacific Grove.' David said 'fine and I'll put gas in it,'" said Undersheriff Bill Heyne.
Heyne said more than 70 sheriff's department employees were allowed to drive their company cars to and from work. He said the cost is overshadowed by the efficiency of having those vehicles with those employees."
Basically they're on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week. If something happens where he needs to be here, he'll respond. For him to come back in a company car with emergency equipment, radios, and everything, it's an advantage for us and cost is minimal," said Heyne.
David still could be punished for the crash, however, if a California Highway Patrol investigation determines he was at fault.
Heyne said the department deals with 30 to 40 accidents a year, and investigations have led to some deputies being suspended or terminated.
Though Heyne and Sheriff Adam Christianson have stopped taking company cars home to assist the department in saving money, he said that wouldn't be wise department-wide."You could save a job (by taking away car privileges) but the problem is, our efficiencies would decline," said Heyne.By tdaly@news10.nethttp://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=78844&catid=2
Now we know, per Heyne, that Christianson gave specific permission for this misappropriation.
For your info. Thank you.
4/7/10
The following is a statement given by Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Under sheriff Bill Heyne when interviewed by News 10 on 4/6/10:
MODESTO, CA - A Stanislaus County sheriff's captain was far from the office when he was in a department car and involved in a crash.Capt. Tim David was near Monterey where he has a second home when the non-injury crash happened.
One of his bosses said he had the sheriff's permission to have a work car so far from where he works."The sheriff said 'you can drive your car on those weekends to your vacation home in Pacific Grove.' David said 'fine and I'll put gas in it,'" said Undersheriff Bill Heyne.
Heyne said more than 70 sheriff's department employees were allowed to drive their company cars to and from work. He said the cost is overshadowed by the efficiency of having those vehicles with those employees."
Basically they're on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week. If something happens where he needs to be here, he'll respond. For him to come back in a company car with emergency equipment, radios, and everything, it's an advantage for us and cost is minimal," said Heyne.
David still could be punished for the crash, however, if a California Highway Patrol investigation determines he was at fault.
Heyne said the department deals with 30 to 40 accidents a year, and investigations have led to some deputies being suspended or terminated.
Though Heyne and Sheriff Adam Christianson have stopped taking company cars home to assist the department in saving money, he said that wouldn't be wise department-wide."You could save a job (by taking away car privileges) but the problem is, our efficiencies would decline," said Heyne.By tdaly@news10.nethttp://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=78844&catid=2
Now we know, per Heyne, that Christianson gave specific permission for this misappropriation.
For your info. Thank you.
A Taxpayer Wants Some Answers from the Sheriff
By Emerson Drake
4/5/10
Just wanted to you to be aware of some reported abuses within the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office where taxpayer's money is being wasted.Apparently, some individuals are using their county assigned vehicles for personal use. For example:Approximately one week ago, Capt. Tim David was involved in a vehicle accident in his county issued car.
The problem is, he was in Pacific Grove, where he has a residence, anda member of his family was also in the car. According to sources, it has been known for some time that he has been driving his county issued car for long weekend trips from Modesto to Pacific Grove.
He is driving approx. 120 miles, one way, on our dollar for his personal benefit.It has also be said that for quite some time a Lieutenant assigned to the City of Patterson has also been using his county vehicle to make weekly trips to his vacation home in Tahoe.
Lastly, it has been said there is a Sgt. assigned to the City of Riverbank who is using a county vehicle to drive from Riverbank to his home in the bay area.The first argument will be that they are "on call".
But if they are 2,3, or more hours away what could they possibly contribute to any situation once they drove back and arrived at whatever emergency they were called to. If they are on call, then they should stay at least within the County.
Apparently, there is department policy that dictates a "take-home " vehicle can be driven no more than 3 miles outside of the county to an employee's residence. If this policy is still in place then it is being violated daily by these and other individuals within the Sheriff's Office, and nobody is doing anything about it.
If these abuses are going on, this is very disturbing, and the people of Stanislaus County should be outraged at the flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars, especially in these tough economic times, when the Sheriff is looking at laying off deputies.
Why is Sheriff Christianson allowing these abuses to go on?Has he given his approval for certain individuals to get "free rides" on the citizens of Stanislaus County?It should be noted that Capt. David is a retired Lieutenant from the Modesto Police Department and Christianson hired him as his Captain.
Both Capt. David and the Lieutenant from Patterson are political supporters of Christianson.Is this payback from Christianson???
This needs to be investigated.If these claims are found to be true, all the abusers and those who allowed this breach of ethical behavior and theft of hard earned taxpayer money need to be exposed and held accountable.A Concerned Taxpayer
4/5/10
Just wanted to you to be aware of some reported abuses within the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office where taxpayer's money is being wasted.Apparently, some individuals are using their county assigned vehicles for personal use. For example:Approximately one week ago, Capt. Tim David was involved in a vehicle accident in his county issued car.
The problem is, he was in Pacific Grove, where he has a residence, anda member of his family was also in the car. According to sources, it has been known for some time that he has been driving his county issued car for long weekend trips from Modesto to Pacific Grove.
He is driving approx. 120 miles, one way, on our dollar for his personal benefit.It has also be said that for quite some time a Lieutenant assigned to the City of Patterson has also been using his county vehicle to make weekly trips to his vacation home in Tahoe.
Lastly, it has been said there is a Sgt. assigned to the City of Riverbank who is using a county vehicle to drive from Riverbank to his home in the bay area.The first argument will be that they are "on call".
But if they are 2,3, or more hours away what could they possibly contribute to any situation once they drove back and arrived at whatever emergency they were called to. If they are on call, then they should stay at least within the County.
Apparently, there is department policy that dictates a "take-home " vehicle can be driven no more than 3 miles outside of the county to an employee's residence. If this policy is still in place then it is being violated daily by these and other individuals within the Sheriff's Office, and nobody is doing anything about it.
If these abuses are going on, this is very disturbing, and the people of Stanislaus County should be outraged at the flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars, especially in these tough economic times, when the Sheriff is looking at laying off deputies.
Why is Sheriff Christianson allowing these abuses to go on?Has he given his approval for certain individuals to get "free rides" on the citizens of Stanislaus County?It should be noted that Capt. David is a retired Lieutenant from the Modesto Police Department and Christianson hired him as his Captain.
Both Capt. David and the Lieutenant from Patterson are political supporters of Christianson.Is this payback from Christianson???
This needs to be investigated.If these claims are found to be true, all the abusers and those who allowed this breach of ethical behavior and theft of hard earned taxpayer money need to be exposed and held accountable.A Concerned Taxpayer
A Public records Request and the County Purchasing Department
By Emerson Drake
4/4/10
The sun doesn’t shine much in the County Purchasing Department. A simple Public Records Request was made to the County regarding the materials and documents related to the decision making for the Health Care contract for the County Jail, Honor Farm, and the Safety Center.
Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Well, thinking that would be a mistake. We received a letter saying the County had 912 pages of information they were willing to release at a cost of $228 or we could review the documents under their supervision, down at 1010 10thSt.
So down we went.Perusing 912 pages takes more than a few minutes.
What became obvious quickly was the lack of an Evaluation Summary. Think about it, 912 pages but the most important part was missing.
The actual bid amounts and the scoring by the 6 individuals involved.
It took several phone calls to resolve the situation.
And we would like to thank Deputy County Council Dean Wright for insisting the Purchasing Department be more forthcoming and deliver the goods requested.
So in the end they produced the page which compares the cost of bids and the grading by the County’s team.
4/4/10
The sun doesn’t shine much in the County Purchasing Department. A simple Public Records Request was made to the County regarding the materials and documents related to the decision making for the Health Care contract for the County Jail, Honor Farm, and the Safety Center.
Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Well, thinking that would be a mistake. We received a letter saying the County had 912 pages of information they were willing to release at a cost of $228 or we could review the documents under their supervision, down at 1010 10thSt.
So down we went.Perusing 912 pages takes more than a few minutes.
What became obvious quickly was the lack of an Evaluation Summary. Think about it, 912 pages but the most important part was missing.
The actual bid amounts and the scoring by the 6 individuals involved.
It took several phone calls to resolve the situation.
And we would like to thank Deputy County Council Dean Wright for insisting the Purchasing Department be more forthcoming and deliver the goods requested.
So in the end they produced the page which compares the cost of bids and the grading by the County’s team.
CSUS and Sarah Palin
By Emerson Drake
3/30/10
here is much justifiable outrage over CSUS’s choice of Sarah Palin as speaker for their 50th anniversary celebration.It is known that Ms. Palin generally receives approximately $100,000 for a speaking engagement.
While CSUS refuses to inform us of her fee (her contract forbids it), it is unseemly to have such a high priced speaker at a state university when the recession and unemployment have hit California harder than most other states. Few, if any, of the students at CSUS will be able to afford the $500 fee to attend her speech.
These same students have also been hit with higher enrollment fees in recent years, making it much more difficult to obtain an education.It is also questionable to have a speaker who doesn’t support higher education.
She refers to people who seek a higher education as “elitist”. She has supported higher education in Alaska by means of “vocational training”, not traditional higher education.
One has to wonder if there might not have been a more suitable speaker than one who left her elected position prior to completing her term in order to make money by giving speeches, and considers higher education elitist.The Voice of Modesto has contacted CSUS and inquired about her fee.
We were told they would not reveal it and we cannot obtain it through the Public Records Act, as the CSUS Foundation is exempt from that act.
We have discovered, however, that when the Foundation (with a 501c3 IRS status) files its tax reports for 2010, they will have to list payments made to individual speakers.
We will be watching for the information when the time comes.In the meantime, it is unfortunate that the CSUS Foundation is withholding the information.
We can think of no reason why the information should not be made public (other than Ms. Palin insisting upon it in her contract.)
Perhaps Ms. Palin would like to “donate” her fee to the university in order to benefit the students who are trying so hard to continue their education….We would encourage transparency in all aspects of public education fund-raising and feel it is unfortunate that the California State University at Stanislaus does not feel the same way.
3/30/10
here is much justifiable outrage over CSUS’s choice of Sarah Palin as speaker for their 50th anniversary celebration.It is known that Ms. Palin generally receives approximately $100,000 for a speaking engagement.
While CSUS refuses to inform us of her fee (her contract forbids it), it is unseemly to have such a high priced speaker at a state university when the recession and unemployment have hit California harder than most other states. Few, if any, of the students at CSUS will be able to afford the $500 fee to attend her speech.
These same students have also been hit with higher enrollment fees in recent years, making it much more difficult to obtain an education.It is also questionable to have a speaker who doesn’t support higher education.
She refers to people who seek a higher education as “elitist”. She has supported higher education in Alaska by means of “vocational training”, not traditional higher education.
One has to wonder if there might not have been a more suitable speaker than one who left her elected position prior to completing her term in order to make money by giving speeches, and considers higher education elitist.The Voice of Modesto has contacted CSUS and inquired about her fee.
We were told they would not reveal it and we cannot obtain it through the Public Records Act, as the CSUS Foundation is exempt from that act.
We have discovered, however, that when the Foundation (with a 501c3 IRS status) files its tax reports for 2010, they will have to list payments made to individual speakers.
We will be watching for the information when the time comes.In the meantime, it is unfortunate that the CSUS Foundation is withholding the information.
We can think of no reason why the information should not be made public (other than Ms. Palin insisting upon it in her contract.)
Perhaps Ms. Palin would like to “donate” her fee to the university in order to benefit the students who are trying so hard to continue their education….We would encourage transparency in all aspects of public education fund-raising and feel it is unfortunate that the California State University at Stanislaus does not feel the same way.
One Member of Modesto's Ruling Cabal Spins his Tale
By Emerson Drake
3/28/10
Steve Madison of the infamous PMZ (Petrulakis, Madison, and Zagaris), the cabal which has ruled Modesto politics for many years, sang his song of intrigue and deceit to Modesto today in the McClatchy Bee.
He wrongfully blames Ron Freitas for the nine cities wanting to explore a more advantageous tax sharing plan with the county.
Ron, a former County, StanCog and LAFCo planner, was someone the cabal believed they could control.
But much to their chagrin, Mr. Freitas, after retiring, became his own man.
A free spirit so to speak. Someone who has seen the political games from the inside and now refuses to play their game of manipulation and deceit.
Ron Fritas is standing up for every citizen of the county and some just plain don't like it.
3/28/10
Steve Madison of the infamous PMZ (Petrulakis, Madison, and Zagaris), the cabal which has ruled Modesto politics for many years, sang his song of intrigue and deceit to Modesto today in the McClatchy Bee.
He wrongfully blames Ron Freitas for the nine cities wanting to explore a more advantageous tax sharing plan with the county.
Ron, a former County, StanCog and LAFCo planner, was someone the cabal believed they could control.
But much to their chagrin, Mr. Freitas, after retiring, became his own man.
A free spirit so to speak. Someone who has seen the political games from the inside and now refuses to play their game of manipulation and deceit.
Ron Fritas is standing up for every citizen of the county and some just plain don't like it.
MID is using our Own Money to Silence Us
By Emerson Drake
3/19/10
Yes, you read it right. MID doesn’t want its owners, the ratepayers, to have a voice in where they can throw away our money like they’ve done in Mountain House. Mountain House has cost the MID ratepayers 10’s of Millions of Dollars with no end in sight.
Proposition 16 would require a two-thirds of the utility’s residents to approve before it could expand service into an area where it isn’t the exclusive provider.Now they’re suing to stop Prop 16 and prevent you from voting on it.
Had Prop.16 been in effect just a few short years ago our rates would be lower right now.
As recently as two months ago Paul Warda repeated his false claim that Mountain House was making MID money. While MID steadfastly refuses to supply cost information, they are generally willing to concede they are still in the red and getting in deeper every day.
Yes PG&E has a self serving goal, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to allow MID the right to deprive share holders an opportunity to be heard at the Ballot box.
Public Affairs Director Kate Hora has been contacted in an attempt to uncover just how much of our own money they are spending to deprive us of the democratic process.As of this writing she has yet to return our phone calls.
They’re probably trying to decide how to spin this one.Update: Kate Hora (MID PAD) called saying thy aren't sure how much money they've spent or are going to allocate for the lawsuit, but will keep us informed.
3/19/10
Yes, you read it right. MID doesn’t want its owners, the ratepayers, to have a voice in where they can throw away our money like they’ve done in Mountain House. Mountain House has cost the MID ratepayers 10’s of Millions of Dollars with no end in sight.
Proposition 16 would require a two-thirds of the utility’s residents to approve before it could expand service into an area where it isn’t the exclusive provider.Now they’re suing to stop Prop 16 and prevent you from voting on it.
Had Prop.16 been in effect just a few short years ago our rates would be lower right now.
As recently as two months ago Paul Warda repeated his false claim that Mountain House was making MID money. While MID steadfastly refuses to supply cost information, they are generally willing to concede they are still in the red and getting in deeper every day.
Yes PG&E has a self serving goal, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to allow MID the right to deprive share holders an opportunity to be heard at the Ballot box.
Public Affairs Director Kate Hora has been contacted in an attempt to uncover just how much of our own money they are spending to deprive us of the democratic process.As of this writing she has yet to return our phone calls.
They’re probably trying to decide how to spin this one.Update: Kate Hora (MID PAD) called saying thy aren't sure how much money they've spent or are going to allocate for the lawsuit, but will keep us informed.
Christianson received bundled checks from Correct Care Solutions
By Emerson Drake
3/16/10
It's has come to our attention that Adam Christianson's re-election campaign received a single envelope containing at least five bundled checks from Health Care Solution's executives(a vendor who just last year received a contract the Sheriff's Department oversees) shortly after 11/07/09.
Just as important is the fact the Campaign 460 lists these checks as being received on 11/07/07.
But after a follow up investigation it has been learned that the checks were mailed together in one envelope and the cover letter was dated 11/03/09 but didn't get mailed out until 11/07/09.
Bundled checks supposedly from the companies executives from around the country(from Florida, Tennessee, and Kansas)?
We are aware that a Nashville Get-a-way prize was also offered and it is dated for 11/07/09.
Why are the other cash donations dated differently?
Why are checks from executives from around the country being sent from corporate headquarters?
When asked why Correct Care Solutions sent checks to an out of state Sheriff's campaign? The answer we received was , "because we got the contract."One has to wonder when and how these arrangements were made.
Is this in effect campaign money laundering?
Are these executives being reimbursed by the Correct Care Solutions?
It's our understanding a complaint is being sent to the Fair Political Practice Commission(FPPC).
3/16/10
It's has come to our attention that Adam Christianson's re-election campaign received a single envelope containing at least five bundled checks from Health Care Solution's executives(a vendor who just last year received a contract the Sheriff's Department oversees) shortly after 11/07/09.
Just as important is the fact the Campaign 460 lists these checks as being received on 11/07/07.
But after a follow up investigation it has been learned that the checks were mailed together in one envelope and the cover letter was dated 11/03/09 but didn't get mailed out until 11/07/09.
Bundled checks supposedly from the companies executives from around the country(from Florida, Tennessee, and Kansas)?
We are aware that a Nashville Get-a-way prize was also offered and it is dated for 11/07/09.
Why are the other cash donations dated differently?
Why are checks from executives from around the country being sent from corporate headquarters?
When asked why Correct Care Solutions sent checks to an out of state Sheriff's campaign? The answer we received was , "because we got the contract."One has to wonder when and how these arrangements were made.
Is this in effect campaign money laundering?
Are these executives being reimbursed by the Correct Care Solutions?
It's our understanding a complaint is being sent to the Fair Political Practice Commission(FPPC).
Adam Christianson Committed PERJURY in the Eyes of the Law
BY Emersson Drake
3/15/10
By lying on his California form 460, Adam Christianson committed perjury in the eyes of the law.This is the verification Christianson agreed to when he signed his 460's...
I have used all reasonable diligence in preparing and reviewing this statement and to the best of my knowledge the information contained herein and in the attached schedules is true and complete.
I certify under penalty of perjury under the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.It seems very clear to us.
Will the FPPC clear him in the recently filed complaint?
Will the bundled checks by Correct Care Solutions be investigated?
After he received his letter of admonishment from the FPPC back in December of 2009, which we made public, will the FPPC take a dim view of his latest antics?
3/15/10
By lying on his California form 460, Adam Christianson committed perjury in the eyes of the law.This is the verification Christianson agreed to when he signed his 460's...
I have used all reasonable diligence in preparing and reviewing this statement and to the best of my knowledge the information contained herein and in the attached schedules is true and complete.
I certify under penalty of perjury under the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.It seems very clear to us.
Will the FPPC clear him in the recently filed complaint?
Will the bundled checks by Correct Care Solutions be investigated?
After he received his letter of admonishment from the FPPC back in December of 2009, which we made public, will the FPPC take a dim view of his latest antics?
Adam Bites at the Apple
By Emerson Drake
3/12/10
n April, 2009, Correct Care Solutions (based in Tennessee) was awarded the contract to provide health care services to the Stanislaus County Jail, Honor Farm and Safety Center. California Forensics Medical Group held this contract for over 20 years. During that time the county requested bids 2 or 3 times.
Each time the contract was again awarded to CFMG. We can assume this was done because they were the best company for the job. . They also hold contracts with 24 other counties in California, with whom they maintain successful working relationships.
One has to wonder why that long-term relationship with Stanislaus County fell apart when Sheriff Adam Christianson took office.After speaking with a high ranking member of CFMG, it has come to light that there are specific reasons why the relationship changed.
According to information received by the Voice of Modesto, Sheriff Christianson “set them up to fail” by refusing to place any of their employees at the jail or honor farm.
These employees had all been cleared by CFMG. For over 20 years, the county would place any employee cleared by CFMG, but once Sheriff Christianson was in office, those clearances were automatically rejected. CFMG asked to meet with Sheriff Christianson to discuss these problems, but he repeatedly refused such meetings.
After continued requests, he finally met with representatives of CFMG, but was very abrasive and arrogant during the meeting and unwilling to discuss the problem.
During the time of CFMG’s contract, Dr. Taylor Fithian, (who is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine), was in charge of training deputies on how to recognize signs of psychological disturbances.
During one of these training sessions, Sheriff Christianson entered the room, took the microphone from Dr. Taylor, and announced that “I’m taking over now.”
Rather than talking about recognizing warning signs of mental problems, he proceeded to inform the deputies that we would soon be having veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
He indicated that he believed veterans would normally make good deputies, but if a veteran had a tattoo, they would not be hired.I think we all agree that we owe our veterans our gratitude in risking their lives to defend our freedoms.
It is heart-breaking to think that they will be denied employment in Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department if they happen to come home from the war with a tattoo.
How does a tattoo effect one’s ability to be a good deputy? CFMG said that in previous years they would tell people that Stanislaus County had the best sheriff’s department in the state.
They indicated that they would now rank it as the worst.Sheriff Christianson has publicly regaled friends with the tale of having failed the psychological evaluation three times, has said that he was only hired as a deputy, because Les Weidman (Sheriff at that time) pushed through his hire. This emphasizes his arrogance, despite the fact that it displays his own shortcomings.
In light of the many sexual harassment and discrimination complaints filed against the Sheriff’s Department, it is interesting to find out that he failed the psych evaluation multiple times.
How concerned should the citizens of Modesto be to have the Sheriff’s Department led by a man who may not be psychologically sound? Should we be concerned about the many times he has approved someone to carry a concealed weapon?
Should we be concerned about the interview process for female employees who are asked very inappropriate questions?
Should we be concerned about the way minorities and women are treated at the Sheriff’s Department and the jail?
Additionally, why was an out-of-state company given this contract when California is experiencing some of the nations’ highest unemployment rates?
The investigative arm of the Voice of Modesto is continuing to explore this avenue.
The Board of Supervisors has been sent a copy of our findings and we hope and expect they will make their own inquiry.
3/12/10
n April, 2009, Correct Care Solutions (based in Tennessee) was awarded the contract to provide health care services to the Stanislaus County Jail, Honor Farm and Safety Center. California Forensics Medical Group held this contract for over 20 years. During that time the county requested bids 2 or 3 times.
Each time the contract was again awarded to CFMG. We can assume this was done because they were the best company for the job. . They also hold contracts with 24 other counties in California, with whom they maintain successful working relationships.
One has to wonder why that long-term relationship with Stanislaus County fell apart when Sheriff Adam Christianson took office.After speaking with a high ranking member of CFMG, it has come to light that there are specific reasons why the relationship changed.
According to information received by the Voice of Modesto, Sheriff Christianson “set them up to fail” by refusing to place any of their employees at the jail or honor farm.
These employees had all been cleared by CFMG. For over 20 years, the county would place any employee cleared by CFMG, but once Sheriff Christianson was in office, those clearances were automatically rejected. CFMG asked to meet with Sheriff Christianson to discuss these problems, but he repeatedly refused such meetings.
After continued requests, he finally met with representatives of CFMG, but was very abrasive and arrogant during the meeting and unwilling to discuss the problem.
During the time of CFMG’s contract, Dr. Taylor Fithian, (who is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Eligible in Emergency Medicine), was in charge of training deputies on how to recognize signs of psychological disturbances.
During one of these training sessions, Sheriff Christianson entered the room, took the microphone from Dr. Taylor, and announced that “I’m taking over now.”
Rather than talking about recognizing warning signs of mental problems, he proceeded to inform the deputies that we would soon be having veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
He indicated that he believed veterans would normally make good deputies, but if a veteran had a tattoo, they would not be hired.I think we all agree that we owe our veterans our gratitude in risking their lives to defend our freedoms.
It is heart-breaking to think that they will be denied employment in Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department if they happen to come home from the war with a tattoo.
How does a tattoo effect one’s ability to be a good deputy? CFMG said that in previous years they would tell people that Stanislaus County had the best sheriff’s department in the state.
They indicated that they would now rank it as the worst.Sheriff Christianson has publicly regaled friends with the tale of having failed the psychological evaluation three times, has said that he was only hired as a deputy, because Les Weidman (Sheriff at that time) pushed through his hire. This emphasizes his arrogance, despite the fact that it displays his own shortcomings.
In light of the many sexual harassment and discrimination complaints filed against the Sheriff’s Department, it is interesting to find out that he failed the psych evaluation multiple times.
How concerned should the citizens of Modesto be to have the Sheriff’s Department led by a man who may not be psychologically sound? Should we be concerned about the many times he has approved someone to carry a concealed weapon?
Should we be concerned about the interview process for female employees who are asked very inappropriate questions?
Should we be concerned about the way minorities and women are treated at the Sheriff’s Department and the jail?
Additionally, why was an out-of-state company given this contract when California is experiencing some of the nations’ highest unemployment rates?
The investigative arm of the Voice of Modesto is continuing to explore this avenue.
The Board of Supervisors has been sent a copy of our findings and we hope and expect they will make their own inquiry.
Garth Stapley Confirms What I've been Telling You
By Emerson Drake
3/7/10
It's about time but better late than never.
Maybe since we published Adam Christianson's campaign financial records they felt it was time to step up to the plate and admit what was going on.
Here are a few excerpts from Garths article.By Garth Stapley
Six executives of a Tennessee-based company that landed a multimillion-dollar contract running health care in the sheriff's jails contributed a total of $5,800, including a nonmonetary "Nashville getaway prize" worth $1,800, presumably used in a campaign fund-raiser.
In April, Correct Care Solutions won a bid over California Forensic Medical Group, which had provided inmate health care for more than 20 years.
A screening committee with representatives from the county's chief executive office, county counsel, probation department andChristianson's department ranked Correct Care highest."(Christianson) was the one pushing for this company (Correct Care)," DeMartini said. "Maybe they're paying him back."
Modesto entrepreneur Dan Costa contributed $4,000. Christianson's campaign paid Costa $1,655 for food for a fund-raising event, and paid Costa's company, 5.11 Tactical, another $11,805 for "clothing, party rentals, video" used in an event, according to a finance report.
The sheriff also refused to discuss his relationship with the West Side's Del Don family, whose farming, chemical and fertilizer com- panies contributed five checks totaling $12,000.
Well We've been telling you all along what was going on and now thanks to Garth Stapley the Bee has caught up.To read this entire article
3/7/10
It's about time but better late than never.
Maybe since we published Adam Christianson's campaign financial records they felt it was time to step up to the plate and admit what was going on.
Here are a few excerpts from Garths article.By Garth Stapley
Six executives of a Tennessee-based company that landed a multimillion-dollar contract running health care in the sheriff's jails contributed a total of $5,800, including a nonmonetary "Nashville getaway prize" worth $1,800, presumably used in a campaign fund-raiser.
In April, Correct Care Solutions won a bid over California Forensic Medical Group, which had provided inmate health care for more than 20 years.
A screening committee with representatives from the county's chief executive office, county counsel, probation department andChristianson's department ranked Correct Care highest."(Christianson) was the one pushing for this company (Correct Care)," DeMartini said. "Maybe they're paying him back."
Modesto entrepreneur Dan Costa contributed $4,000. Christianson's campaign paid Costa $1,655 for food for a fund-raising event, and paid Costa's company, 5.11 Tactical, another $11,805 for "clothing, party rentals, video" used in an event, according to a finance report.
The sheriff also refused to discuss his relationship with the West Side's Del Don family, whose farming, chemical and fertilizer com- panies contributed five checks totaling $12,000.
Well We've been telling you all along what was going on and now thanks to Garth Stapley the Bee has caught up.To read this entire article
The Sheriff’s Wall of Shame...The Promised 460's
By Emerson Drake
3/5/10
That’s right the Sheriff’s Wall of Shame. This is a list of contributors, since I can’t say Stanislaus County residents, because he chooses to accept contributions in the form of bundled Checks from Vendors who service the Sheriff’s Department from all around the country.
I’ll point them out in great detail in the coming days but watch for the appearance of Dan Costa’s name, owner of 5.11 Tactical, the very company Adam Christianson requires his personnel to buy uniforms from, donate repeatedly ,and the spectacle of the campaign returning the money by spending thousands of dollars at his store.
Watch how the Campaign can’t keep track of payments made for campaign coins that Adam passes out.
Why didn’t Adam spend the thousands of dollars at approximately $10.00 each in this state instead of out of state where he likes to go fishing with… well that’s for another story.And why is he trying to hide those bundled checks by changing the dates on his 460’s from 2009 to 2007.
All this from a man who says he doesn’t need an investigation to know the truth.We’ll soon be placing into evidence Adam’s past 460’s to show just how much money this man can squander when he gets a head of steam going.
As you read the contributions ask yourself questions like, what do these people hope to gain by donating so much money?
Are they buying positions in the SO like $20,000.00 dollars seems to have done in the past, or are they like correct Care Solutions who says they donated over $5,800.00 dollars because they “got the contract” to run medical services at three sites under Adam’s direct control?
Christianson_460s_full_PDF
3/5/10
That’s right the Sheriff’s Wall of Shame. This is a list of contributors, since I can’t say Stanislaus County residents, because he chooses to accept contributions in the form of bundled Checks from Vendors who service the Sheriff’s Department from all around the country.
I’ll point them out in great detail in the coming days but watch for the appearance of Dan Costa’s name, owner of 5.11 Tactical, the very company Adam Christianson requires his personnel to buy uniforms from, donate repeatedly ,and the spectacle of the campaign returning the money by spending thousands of dollars at his store.
Watch how the Campaign can’t keep track of payments made for campaign coins that Adam passes out.
Why didn’t Adam spend the thousands of dollars at approximately $10.00 each in this state instead of out of state where he likes to go fishing with… well that’s for another story.And why is he trying to hide those bundled checks by changing the dates on his 460’s from 2009 to 2007.
All this from a man who says he doesn’t need an investigation to know the truth.We’ll soon be placing into evidence Adam’s past 460’s to show just how much money this man can squander when he gets a head of steam going.
As you read the contributions ask yourself questions like, what do these people hope to gain by donating so much money?
Are they buying positions in the SO like $20,000.00 dollars seems to have done in the past, or are they like correct Care Solutions who says they donated over $5,800.00 dollars because they “got the contract” to run medical services at three sites under Adam’s direct control?
Christianson_460s_full_PDF
Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged and the McCLatchy Bee Yellow Pages
By Emerson Drake
3/4/10
Ayn Rand in “Atlas Shrugged” talks about newspaper editors who control the flow of information to twist public opinion for their own purpose.And it seems that's becoming an almost daily event here in Modesto, the McClatchy Bee Yellow pages have attempted to deny the public the whole story when it comes to public entities.
From endorsing three rubberstamps to the MID board who have continued to spend MID into the poor house, to colluding with the MID to deny the public the information regarding problems with the smart meters. Once you've maxed out your credit as MID has you don't have anywhere to go if problems occur.
We've seen it in reference to the Lopez case where yet again today, Garth Stapley quotes Lopez's side regarding the "Hundreds of thousands of dollars" they hope to receive, and when it comes towards the end of the article he paraphrases Adam Christianson's quote "I didn't need an investigation to know Pooley hadn't done anything wrong."Women all over Stanislaus County were cringing when they heard that.
We see the never ending personal vendettas from Mark Vasche` regarding politicians across the board but what has it accomplished?MID has just raised our rates and is contemplating (read will be) instituting "surcharges" which they hope can be raised at will without incurring quite so much wrath from the public.
But they have taken a page from the Modesto City Council and they continue to put off major decisions (the McHenry Ave. solar farm) until the fervor has subsided.Despite losing all five annexation attempts, the City is moving full speed ahead to tremendously expand the sphere of influence, which according to one city staffer “makes development of those areas inevitable.”
The City Building Fee Committee is being chaired by Kristin Olsen (a Bee favorite), who without hearing one word of information from the staff has unilaterally declared "we need to lower our building fees,” while on the other hand, she hopes to milk donations for her attempt to abandon the very voters who elected her in a personal attempt at gratification in her run for the state assembly, from the very developers for whom she is trying to cut the fees.
All the while the Bee remains silent, while the Sheriff through his campaign 460’s reports, attempts to deny bundled checks from Correct Care Solutions, (which is a vendor the Sheriff's Department oversees) by falsely labeling these very donations as coming in back in 2007. It has been verified that these donations were received in 2009.
A line from Atlas Shrugged says “One editor who’d open his trap at the wrong time could do us more harm than ten disgruntled millionaires (millionaires being the ones who desire openness and honesty in her book), which regarding the millionaires is quite the dichotomy from the way things are here in Modesto.
The editors at the McClatchy Bee have squelched the dissent, but the battle for truth and openness rages on here in Modesto.
We here at the Voice of Modesto vow to,
Never Give up, Never Surrender
3/4/10
Ayn Rand in “Atlas Shrugged” talks about newspaper editors who control the flow of information to twist public opinion for their own purpose.And it seems that's becoming an almost daily event here in Modesto, the McClatchy Bee Yellow pages have attempted to deny the public the whole story when it comes to public entities.
From endorsing three rubberstamps to the MID board who have continued to spend MID into the poor house, to colluding with the MID to deny the public the information regarding problems with the smart meters. Once you've maxed out your credit as MID has you don't have anywhere to go if problems occur.
We've seen it in reference to the Lopez case where yet again today, Garth Stapley quotes Lopez's side regarding the "Hundreds of thousands of dollars" they hope to receive, and when it comes towards the end of the article he paraphrases Adam Christianson's quote "I didn't need an investigation to know Pooley hadn't done anything wrong."Women all over Stanislaus County were cringing when they heard that.
We see the never ending personal vendettas from Mark Vasche` regarding politicians across the board but what has it accomplished?MID has just raised our rates and is contemplating (read will be) instituting "surcharges" which they hope can be raised at will without incurring quite so much wrath from the public.
But they have taken a page from the Modesto City Council and they continue to put off major decisions (the McHenry Ave. solar farm) until the fervor has subsided.Despite losing all five annexation attempts, the City is moving full speed ahead to tremendously expand the sphere of influence, which according to one city staffer “makes development of those areas inevitable.”
The City Building Fee Committee is being chaired by Kristin Olsen (a Bee favorite), who without hearing one word of information from the staff has unilaterally declared "we need to lower our building fees,” while on the other hand, she hopes to milk donations for her attempt to abandon the very voters who elected her in a personal attempt at gratification in her run for the state assembly, from the very developers for whom she is trying to cut the fees.
All the while the Bee remains silent, while the Sheriff through his campaign 460’s reports, attempts to deny bundled checks from Correct Care Solutions, (which is a vendor the Sheriff's Department oversees) by falsely labeling these very donations as coming in back in 2007. It has been verified that these donations were received in 2009.
A line from Atlas Shrugged says “One editor who’d open his trap at the wrong time could do us more harm than ten disgruntled millionaires (millionaires being the ones who desire openness and honesty in her book), which regarding the millionaires is quite the dichotomy from the way things are here in Modesto.
The editors at the McClatchy Bee have squelched the dissent, but the battle for truth and openness rages on here in Modesto.
We here at the Voice of Modesto vow to,
Never Give up, Never Surrender
Christianson Received Bundled Checks from Correct Care Solutions Donations
By Emerson Drake
3/13/10
It's has come to our attention that Adam Christianson's re-election campaign received a single envelope containing at least five bundled checks from Correct Care Solution's executives(a vendor who just last year received a contract the Sheriff's Department oversees) shortly after 11/07/09.
Just as important is the fact the Campaign 460 lists these checks as being received on 11/07/07.
But after a follow up investigation it has been learned that the checks were mailed together in one envelope and the cover letter was dated 11/03/09 but didn't get mailed out until 11/07/09.
Bundled checks supposedly from the companies executives from around the country(from Florida, Tennessee, and Kansas)?
We are aware that a Nashville Get-a-way prize was also offered and it is dated for 11/07/09.
Why are the other cash donations dated differently?
Why are checks from executives from around the country being sent from corporate headquarters?
When asked why Correct Care Solutions sent checks to an out of state Sheriff's campaign?
The answer we received was , "because we got the contract."One has to wonder when and how these arrangements were made.Is this in effect campaign money laundering? Are these executives being reimbursed by the Correct care Solutions?
It's our understanding a complaint is being sent to the Fair Political Practice Commission
3/13/10
It's has come to our attention that Adam Christianson's re-election campaign received a single envelope containing at least five bundled checks from Correct Care Solution's executives(a vendor who just last year received a contract the Sheriff's Department oversees) shortly after 11/07/09.
Just as important is the fact the Campaign 460 lists these checks as being received on 11/07/07.
But after a follow up investigation it has been learned that the checks were mailed together in one envelope and the cover letter was dated 11/03/09 but didn't get mailed out until 11/07/09.
Bundled checks supposedly from the companies executives from around the country(from Florida, Tennessee, and Kansas)?
We are aware that a Nashville Get-a-way prize was also offered and it is dated for 11/07/09.
Why are the other cash donations dated differently?
Why are checks from executives from around the country being sent from corporate headquarters?
When asked why Correct Care Solutions sent checks to an out of state Sheriff's campaign?
The answer we received was , "because we got the contract."One has to wonder when and how these arrangements were made.Is this in effect campaign money laundering? Are these executives being reimbursed by the Correct care Solutions?
It's our understanding a complaint is being sent to the Fair Political Practice Commission
MID Goes on a Spending Spree and Maxes Out its Credit
By Emerson Drake
2/23/10
The MID Board today authorized Allen Short to buy into the soon to be built Lodi plant for a 30 MW (Mega Watt) share.Interestingly enough this wasn’t one of the options presented to the board or to the public.
Tom Van Groningen made the motion and despite calls from several public speakers for more information the board voted 3-2 with Hensley and Kidd being the two dissenters.It was noted that MID has refused to make cost cutting measures such as stopping the flood of Mountain House red ink.
A concern was noted that possibly the board is going to try to slash the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers contract offer while maintaining the extremely lucrative pay for executives.
The Lodi plant will utilize the most efficient turbines in Northern California and would seem to be a great opportunity if only we could afford it. The MID Board has spent us into $1.2 Billion dollars in debt.
I don’t think Tom Van Groningen will be forced to sell his private plane to pay for the increase in electric rates this purchase will mandate.MID financial advisor Jerry Gold pointed out MID will exhaust it credit capability with this expenditure.
So like families who max out their credit cards and continue to only make minimum payments our road to solvency will be long, rocky and definitely on the back of the average electric user.
Of course we remember that the board is looking at surcharges in lieu of more rate increases this year with a caveat since staff members today said they will be looking at rate increase by next year at the latest..
I’m not sure that semantics (word games) make much difference to our check books or to our bottom line it sure seems to be the direction MID is determined to go in.
Surcharges and rate increases will hurt families, farmers and businesses in District.One concern that was made public during discussions while on a break at the meeting was a question regarding MID’s potential violations of the Brown Act.
Has Allen Short been meeting in series with the board members, and just what emails have been exchanged since that particular form of communications was mentioned by several of the board members?
2/23/10
The MID Board today authorized Allen Short to buy into the soon to be built Lodi plant for a 30 MW (Mega Watt) share.Interestingly enough this wasn’t one of the options presented to the board or to the public.
Tom Van Groningen made the motion and despite calls from several public speakers for more information the board voted 3-2 with Hensley and Kidd being the two dissenters.It was noted that MID has refused to make cost cutting measures such as stopping the flood of Mountain House red ink.
A concern was noted that possibly the board is going to try to slash the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers contract offer while maintaining the extremely lucrative pay for executives.
The Lodi plant will utilize the most efficient turbines in Northern California and would seem to be a great opportunity if only we could afford it. The MID Board has spent us into $1.2 Billion dollars in debt.
I don’t think Tom Van Groningen will be forced to sell his private plane to pay for the increase in electric rates this purchase will mandate.MID financial advisor Jerry Gold pointed out MID will exhaust it credit capability with this expenditure.
So like families who max out their credit cards and continue to only make minimum payments our road to solvency will be long, rocky and definitely on the back of the average electric user.
Of course we remember that the board is looking at surcharges in lieu of more rate increases this year with a caveat since staff members today said they will be looking at rate increase by next year at the latest..
I’m not sure that semantics (word games) make much difference to our check books or to our bottom line it sure seems to be the direction MID is determined to go in.
Surcharges and rate increases will hurt families, farmers and businesses in District.One concern that was made public during discussions while on a break at the meeting was a question regarding MID’s potential violations of the Brown Act.
Has Allen Short been meeting in series with the board members, and just what emails have been exchanged since that particular form of communications was mentioned by several of the board members?
The Vultures Gather for the Mayor's State of the City Address
By Emerson Drake
2/12/10
It will be the largest gathering of the Clan of Greed this year. From the influential three Petrulakis, Madison, and Zagaris, to the vultures from the Chamber of Commerce, to the Common Wealth Club and everyone who’s anyone as far as the greedy are concerned will be there. S
urprisingly enough they’re going to leave room in the back of the bus (oops I mean venue) for those who aren’t willing to pay $40.00 for lunch but would like to be there to hear what the Mayor has in store for the citizens of Modesto.
From the recent attempt at picking the low hanging fruit of the Beckwith triangle, to legally stealing land along the Kiernan corridor using eminent domain, these people will stop at nothing to pick over the carcass that is Modesto.
We have to thank our lucky stars for the Mayoral election on the horizon, and to a General Assembly seat being vacant with several of our local politicians having ambitions of grandeur.
It’s bad enough that Kristin Olsen, who is the leader of the Building Fees Committee, has been very outspoken saying the fees are too low.
This would seem to be a blatant attempt to bring Steve Madison back into her corner and away from Janice Keating for the race for the 25th Assembly seat.
It appears Modesto will be saddled with lower fees which will place the burden once again squarely on the back of the citizens similar to the situation created in the Village I fiasco by Mike Zagaris.
Of course they will go through the motions so it appears they are doing what is best for Modesto but in the end we the citizens will pay higher rates for sewer and water connections so Zagaris and other developers can build homes.
The carrot of jobs will be extended and the donkey/citizens will continue to plod after it in home of having a full belly for a change.
Well, having a full belly is different from having a belly full of it. Isn’t it?Just one mans opinion
2/12/10
It will be the largest gathering of the Clan of Greed this year. From the influential three Petrulakis, Madison, and Zagaris, to the vultures from the Chamber of Commerce, to the Common Wealth Club and everyone who’s anyone as far as the greedy are concerned will be there. S
urprisingly enough they’re going to leave room in the back of the bus (oops I mean venue) for those who aren’t willing to pay $40.00 for lunch but would like to be there to hear what the Mayor has in store for the citizens of Modesto.
From the recent attempt at picking the low hanging fruit of the Beckwith triangle, to legally stealing land along the Kiernan corridor using eminent domain, these people will stop at nothing to pick over the carcass that is Modesto.
We have to thank our lucky stars for the Mayoral election on the horizon, and to a General Assembly seat being vacant with several of our local politicians having ambitions of grandeur.
It’s bad enough that Kristin Olsen, who is the leader of the Building Fees Committee, has been very outspoken saying the fees are too low.
This would seem to be a blatant attempt to bring Steve Madison back into her corner and away from Janice Keating for the race for the 25th Assembly seat.
It appears Modesto will be saddled with lower fees which will place the burden once again squarely on the back of the citizens similar to the situation created in the Village I fiasco by Mike Zagaris.
Of course they will go through the motions so it appears they are doing what is best for Modesto but in the end we the citizens will pay higher rates for sewer and water connections so Zagaris and other developers can build homes.
The carrot of jobs will be extended and the donkey/citizens will continue to plod after it in home of having a full belly for a change.
Well, having a full belly is different from having a belly full of it. Isn’t it?Just one mans opinion
Modesto Irrigation District Finally Comes Clean About Smart Meters
By Emerson Drake
2/10/10
Despite the fact MID General Manager Allen Short said just two months ago at a District Board meeting, “We’ve had no problems with smart meters. Those people who wrote letters to the Modesto Bee were behind in their electric bills”.
Mr. Short made the statement during a Board meeting in response to a spate of letters written to complain about the accuracy of the new smart meters.
Now thanks to a Modesto resident who read seven problems into the record just two weeks ago, MID has made an about face and addressed the situation publicly.
#1. Meter defects- Originally MID claimed no problems with the meters. It turns out 19,750 meters (18.45% of all meters installed by MID) were returned to Mexico for repairs. Returned meters often had mismatched components which caused communication problems.
#2. Meters caused GFI problems-MID spent over $138,000.00 in overtime repairs to homes where the meters caused the GFI circuit breaker to trip causing service disruption for the homeowner.
Modesto’s Head Electrical Inspector said while the people changing home wiring weren’t electricians, that it was the same as having a handyman in your home redoing the wiring so no inspection was needed, and that the homeowner assumed responsibility for the repairs.
MID made the claim they weren’t aware of any homeowners paying for their own repairs, but if the homeowner didn’t know MID was at fault, they wouldn’t have contacted them.
#3. Meter accuracy-While some meters have been off as much as 30% MID assures customers this is a small number of meters. But they also acknowledged they have checked less than .5% or less than one half of one percent of all meters (that represents 535 meters out of 107,000).
#4. Smart meters come with a remote disconnect switch that sometimes won’t reset until the meter is replaced.
#5. An unknown number of meters fail to display usage- This effects customers who might like to monitor their own usage.
It has been likened to pumping gas into your car but having no way of knowing how many gallons are being pumped.
#6. Peak demand readings fail to reset-Only effects commercial customers. MID has blamed this problem on meter readers.
#7. AMI or smart meters are a result of modifying an existing meter with components from another source-
The only way these meters can be considered truly accurate is to check each one individually. As of several weeks ago these individual checks were not being preformed.While we understand this information has been withheld from the public until Tuesday, why the local paper is failing to inform the public is unknown.
I would encourage anyone who has experienced an increase in their electric bill to call MID and insist they check out the accuracy of the AMI smart meter.
If you are experiencing GFI (ground fault interrupter) circuit difficulties also call MID.Now can one honestly say there are no problems with the MID smart meters?
Director Van Groningen said during the meeting the Board had been kept aware of the smart meter situation.
So then Mr. Van Groningen, why did you let Allen Short stand up and tell the public you were experiencing no problems with these meters?
2/10/10
Despite the fact MID General Manager Allen Short said just two months ago at a District Board meeting, “We’ve had no problems with smart meters. Those people who wrote letters to the Modesto Bee were behind in their electric bills”.
Mr. Short made the statement during a Board meeting in response to a spate of letters written to complain about the accuracy of the new smart meters.
Now thanks to a Modesto resident who read seven problems into the record just two weeks ago, MID has made an about face and addressed the situation publicly.
#1. Meter defects- Originally MID claimed no problems with the meters. It turns out 19,750 meters (18.45% of all meters installed by MID) were returned to Mexico for repairs. Returned meters often had mismatched components which caused communication problems.
#2. Meters caused GFI problems-MID spent over $138,000.00 in overtime repairs to homes where the meters caused the GFI circuit breaker to trip causing service disruption for the homeowner.
Modesto’s Head Electrical Inspector said while the people changing home wiring weren’t electricians, that it was the same as having a handyman in your home redoing the wiring so no inspection was needed, and that the homeowner assumed responsibility for the repairs.
MID made the claim they weren’t aware of any homeowners paying for their own repairs, but if the homeowner didn’t know MID was at fault, they wouldn’t have contacted them.
#3. Meter accuracy-While some meters have been off as much as 30% MID assures customers this is a small number of meters. But they also acknowledged they have checked less than .5% or less than one half of one percent of all meters (that represents 535 meters out of 107,000).
#4. Smart meters come with a remote disconnect switch that sometimes won’t reset until the meter is replaced.
#5. An unknown number of meters fail to display usage- This effects customers who might like to monitor their own usage.
It has been likened to pumping gas into your car but having no way of knowing how many gallons are being pumped.
#6. Peak demand readings fail to reset-Only effects commercial customers. MID has blamed this problem on meter readers.
#7. AMI or smart meters are a result of modifying an existing meter with components from another source-
The only way these meters can be considered truly accurate is to check each one individually. As of several weeks ago these individual checks were not being preformed.While we understand this information has been withheld from the public until Tuesday, why the local paper is failing to inform the public is unknown.
I would encourage anyone who has experienced an increase in their electric bill to call MID and insist they check out the accuracy of the AMI smart meter.
If you are experiencing GFI (ground fault interrupter) circuit difficulties also call MID.Now can one honestly say there are no problems with the MID smart meters?
Director Van Groningen said during the meeting the Board had been kept aware of the smart meter situation.
So then Mr. Van Groningen, why did you let Allen Short stand up and tell the public you were experiencing no problems with these meters?
Voices Around Town
By Emersson Drake
Apparently Judge Hurl Johnson set tongues a wagging when he excused Modesto’s current Mayor Jim Ridenour from testifying in the Lydia Lopez vs. Sheriff’s Department sexual harassment case including claims against Bill Pooley.
Judge Johnson used as his reason to dismiss Ridenour, the multiple witnesses who were scheduled to testify regarding “fudging” on their timecards should be sufficient.
Saying yet another on the same subject would keep him there too long.The word from the courthouse to City/County Building has been spreading quickly.
They’re saying Judge Johnson confirmed what former Mayor Carmen Sabatino has been suggesting regarding Ridenour misrepresenting his timecard claiming hours worked for the Sheriff’s Dept. when in fact he was busy doing something else.
Apparently Judge Hurl Johnson set tongues a wagging when he excused Modesto’s current Mayor Jim Ridenour from testifying in the Lydia Lopez vs. Sheriff’s Department sexual harassment case including claims against Bill Pooley.
Judge Johnson used as his reason to dismiss Ridenour, the multiple witnesses who were scheduled to testify regarding “fudging” on their timecards should be sufficient.
Saying yet another on the same subject would keep him there too long.The word from the courthouse to City/County Building has been spreading quickly.
They’re saying Judge Johnson confirmed what former Mayor Carmen Sabatino has been suggesting regarding Ridenour misrepresenting his timecard claiming hours worked for the Sheriff’s Dept. when in fact he was busy doing something else.
Will Anyone Stand Up For Modesto’s Voters?
By Emerson Drake
2/8/10
Modesto is facing a dilemma. On one hand the voters chose overwhelming (by 60-70%) to turn down all five annexation measures, but now the Mayor and City Council are engineering an end run.
After listening to a heart wrenching speech by a farmer whose family has been working the land within the Beckworth Triangle for more than 100 years pleading for City Planning
Commissioners to turn down the request to include his farm in Modesto’s sphere of influence, they choose to move forward anyway.
There are two lines coming from city planners that need to be remembered. The first is, “Once land is brought into the City’s sphere of influence development is inevitable” The second is “annexation is driven by developers”. These two lines were spoken by a member of the city’s planning staff.
Our developer driven (bought and paid for) City Council has discovered a way for the evil deed to be accomplished without them being held responsible.
They hope to steal 1000 acres for development while holding their usual jobs as the carrot to get the donkey (taxpayers) to pull the plow for them.Will there be any meaning full discussion? At this point it seems very doubtful.
Please remember there were 47 suggestions, complaints and comments at the November 18th public input meeting and none were taken into serious consideration.
They are planning to raise driveways on the best soil Stanislaus County has when it comes to the important recharging of ground water.
Our City Council has lied to us before and is preparing to do so again. Are we going to let them continue this highway robbery without a fight?
2/8/10
Modesto is facing a dilemma. On one hand the voters chose overwhelming (by 60-70%) to turn down all five annexation measures, but now the Mayor and City Council are engineering an end run.
After listening to a heart wrenching speech by a farmer whose family has been working the land within the Beckworth Triangle for more than 100 years pleading for City Planning
Commissioners to turn down the request to include his farm in Modesto’s sphere of influence, they choose to move forward anyway.
There are two lines coming from city planners that need to be remembered. The first is, “Once land is brought into the City’s sphere of influence development is inevitable” The second is “annexation is driven by developers”. These two lines were spoken by a member of the city’s planning staff.
Our developer driven (bought and paid for) City Council has discovered a way for the evil deed to be accomplished without them being held responsible.
They hope to steal 1000 acres for development while holding their usual jobs as the carrot to get the donkey (taxpayers) to pull the plow for them.Will there be any meaning full discussion? At this point it seems very doubtful.
Please remember there were 47 suggestions, complaints and comments at the November 18th public input meeting and none were taken into serious consideration.
They are planning to raise driveways on the best soil Stanislaus County has when it comes to the important recharging of ground water.
Our City Council has lied to us before and is preparing to do so again. Are we going to let them continue this highway robbery without a fight?
A Message Delivered to the MID Board
First of all, I would like to congratulate MID on their press coverage in the McClatchy BEE this past weekend.. As I have been noticing in the previous two weeks, and again this past weekend, you must have a dream team getting your information in the newspaper.
I especially love the way it is displayed on the front page. The reaction of the public on the proposed rate increases, your empathy, and the articles right next to it saying MID is being watched or has lowered financial ratings. It is quite a show.
Those articles conveniently placed side by side might sway some, that the increases are the only solution and MID has been forthcoming and diligent in looking at other solutions. However, I have concluded after reading the articles, that MID is planning to raise our rates regardless of the publics input.http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020937.htmlhttp://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020941.html
Secondly, when the subject of Mountain House came up at the last meeting no one from MID could give the numbers on the revenue or expenses because MID does not keep track for that community separate from other operations. Please do tell me, how MID can run efficiently if they do not know which communities are profitable and which ones are bankrupting MID?
Common business sense dictates, MID should look at individual communities to separate those that are profitable and which ones we should possibly pull out of? After being pressed, the Sunday news article stated, MID projected Mountain House costs will exceed income by $8.8 million until 2015. Over the next decade, as the community expands, income will surpass costs by $20 million. If we did the numbers based on the 8.8 million per year, for the next five years, there would be an additional loss of 44 million.
This does not include the losses for the past eight years; I will venture a guess that those numbers are substantially higher. In addition to this loss, how accurate can these numbers be since they are dependant on the community growing at the rate your numbers are projecting? When we entered into Mountain House were the numbers not significantly higher?http://www..modbee.com/local/story/1020937.html
Thirdly, as per MID’s website which states, no COLA since 2007. Before you raise our rates, we have the right to know how many employees are getting the 3.5% merit raises and what this means in dollars and cents. Until 2007, COLA was at 3% and merit raises were at 3.5% for a total of 6.5% possible yearly increase.
What I find extremely offensive is the information the Modesto Bee provided that merit raises are given, however, most employees do not get them because they have reached their top salary. How lucky they are to be an MID employee. As per MID’s website (and documents provided at this meeting) there are 46 unfilled positions with a savings of 2.8 million. 2.8 million divided by 46, would mean the average salary is $60,869.
It goes on to further state, 1 furlough day per month, savings would be 1.8 million. 422 multiplied by 12 is 5,064. 1.8 million divided by 5,064 is an average of $355.45 per day per employee. $355.45 per day, divided by 8 hours is an average of $44.43 per hour. How can you justify rate increases when there is this much personnel overhead? http://www.mid.org/board/agenda/att09.pdf
Finally, I would like to address the cost and the efficiency of the solar farm. MID has recently extended an existing 25 megawatt and expanded a Power Purchase Agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to June 30, 2015. MID will be expanding the PPA to 50 MW from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2028, MID has a goal of getting 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2017.
The power from the contract comes from the High Wind Energy Center located in Solano County, California. Per Allen Short, MID’s General Manager. “With this expanded PPA, MID now gets 19 percent of its portfolio from renewables.”
If this is the case, why do we need to rush into this solar project now? As we all know, from year to year, advances are being made on the technology and lowering costs of solar power. Would it not make more sense to wait another two years to acquire solar renewable energy? Does it not make sense to put this project off for a couple of years when MID is more solvent? http://finance.abc30.com/abclocal.kfsn/?GUID=11236911&Page=MediaViewer&ChannelID=3191
I would like to leave you with one final note, per the Bee, MID reported a 40 percent increase in late bill payments last year over 2008, along with a 15 percent jump in service disconnections. What do you suppose those numbers will be for 2010 after you raise our rates again? http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020937.html
Sincerely, Jolynn Wilder
This letter was read into the minutes of the Modesto Irrigation Board at the last meeting by its author where it received an ovation from the audience upon completion.
I especially love the way it is displayed on the front page. The reaction of the public on the proposed rate increases, your empathy, and the articles right next to it saying MID is being watched or has lowered financial ratings. It is quite a show.
Those articles conveniently placed side by side might sway some, that the increases are the only solution and MID has been forthcoming and diligent in looking at other solutions. However, I have concluded after reading the articles, that MID is planning to raise our rates regardless of the publics input.http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020937.htmlhttp://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020941.html
Secondly, when the subject of Mountain House came up at the last meeting no one from MID could give the numbers on the revenue or expenses because MID does not keep track for that community separate from other operations. Please do tell me, how MID can run efficiently if they do not know which communities are profitable and which ones are bankrupting MID?
Common business sense dictates, MID should look at individual communities to separate those that are profitable and which ones we should possibly pull out of? After being pressed, the Sunday news article stated, MID projected Mountain House costs will exceed income by $8.8 million until 2015. Over the next decade, as the community expands, income will surpass costs by $20 million. If we did the numbers based on the 8.8 million per year, for the next five years, there would be an additional loss of 44 million.
This does not include the losses for the past eight years; I will venture a guess that those numbers are substantially higher. In addition to this loss, how accurate can these numbers be since they are dependant on the community growing at the rate your numbers are projecting? When we entered into Mountain House were the numbers not significantly higher?http://www..modbee.com/local/story/1020937.html
Thirdly, as per MID’s website which states, no COLA since 2007. Before you raise our rates, we have the right to know how many employees are getting the 3.5% merit raises and what this means in dollars and cents. Until 2007, COLA was at 3% and merit raises were at 3.5% for a total of 6.5% possible yearly increase.
What I find extremely offensive is the information the Modesto Bee provided that merit raises are given, however, most employees do not get them because they have reached their top salary. How lucky they are to be an MID employee. As per MID’s website (and documents provided at this meeting) there are 46 unfilled positions with a savings of 2.8 million. 2.8 million divided by 46, would mean the average salary is $60,869.
It goes on to further state, 1 furlough day per month, savings would be 1.8 million. 422 multiplied by 12 is 5,064. 1.8 million divided by 5,064 is an average of $355.45 per day per employee. $355.45 per day, divided by 8 hours is an average of $44.43 per hour. How can you justify rate increases when there is this much personnel overhead? http://www.mid.org/board/agenda/att09.pdf
Finally, I would like to address the cost and the efficiency of the solar farm. MID has recently extended an existing 25 megawatt and expanded a Power Purchase Agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to June 30, 2015. MID will be expanding the PPA to 50 MW from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2028, MID has a goal of getting 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2017.
The power from the contract comes from the High Wind Energy Center located in Solano County, California. Per Allen Short, MID’s General Manager. “With this expanded PPA, MID now gets 19 percent of its portfolio from renewables.”
If this is the case, why do we need to rush into this solar project now? As we all know, from year to year, advances are being made on the technology and lowering costs of solar power. Would it not make more sense to wait another two years to acquire solar renewable energy? Does it not make sense to put this project off for a couple of years when MID is more solvent? http://finance.abc30.com/abclocal.kfsn/?GUID=11236911&Page=MediaViewer&ChannelID=3191
I would like to leave you with one final note, per the Bee, MID reported a 40 percent increase in late bill payments last year over 2008, along with a 15 percent jump in service disconnections. What do you suppose those numbers will be for 2010 after you raise our rates again? http://www.modbee.com/local/story/1020937.html
Sincerely, Jolynn Wilder
This letter was read into the minutes of the Modesto Irrigation Board at the last meeting by its author where it received an ovation from the audience upon completion.
Tuesday's Fiery MID meeting and the Accompanying Fireworks
By Emerson Drake
1/26/10
At today's MID meeting we saw a vocal group of residents argue adamantly against the proposed 11% rate increase.
After many speakers (some who called for Allen Short's ouster) presented their discussion points, by a vote of 3-2(the discenters being John Kidd and Cecil Hensley, our rates went up 7% immediately and study groups will be held after the next meeting to impliment surcharges to our always increasing bills.
As usual the MID staff's presentation was colorful but not satisfying.
One slide in particular displayed rate increases in percentages comparing other utility districts against the MID.
But without actually knowing how much money each represents it was worthless. As an example, PG&E had an increase of 2.1% and Santa Clara had a 7% increase. But since no numbers are mentioned who can know which is better?
Actually PG&E has lower rates than MID at this stand point. So while the presentation was fact filled, it wasn't informative and this was pointed out by several members of the audience.
But the extraordinary fireworks began at the very end of the meeting,during Public Input for the Good of the District portion when comments were made regarding the mis-named Smart Meters.Three points regarding the meters were made.
1. Some of the smart meters have burst into flames. Somewhere around 20,000 meters have been sent to Mexico for repairs and communication errors were discovered and miss matched components were installed in them during the repairs.
2. Transmitters inside the meters have caused the GFI/AFI circuit breakers to trip in homes. The solution the MID used was to replace breakers with ordinary breakers and install GFI recptacles in various places inside the home. Repairmen and not certified electricians were used and the work wasn't inspected by either the City or the County.
MID could be held liable for future wiring problems and injurys or deaths that could result.
Over $150,000.00 worth of overtime resultd which was intentially hidden and charged to maintenance or capital accounts to cover budget shortfalls and cover expense.In addition since
MID has intentionally withheld this problem from the public, many customers could be experiencing this problem and had it corrected at their own expense.
3. Meters have been discovered to be grossly inacurate by as much as 30% give or take. While a small number of these has been discovered to date(and unless someone complains they might not be discovered)there is no way of knowing the true extent of the problem.
Please remember that no meters were tested locally prior to instillation not even a random sample.Why Allen Short has been claiming at MID meetings that there are no problems with these meters is anyone's guess. But apparently the public has been deliberately misinformed.
During one of the meetings many breaks I talked with Kate Hora(MID Public Affairs Specialist)who made the statement that MID wasn't experiencing problems with the meters. I suggest she ask more questions of those informing her.
1/26/10
At today's MID meeting we saw a vocal group of residents argue adamantly against the proposed 11% rate increase.
After many speakers (some who called for Allen Short's ouster) presented their discussion points, by a vote of 3-2(the discenters being John Kidd and Cecil Hensley, our rates went up 7% immediately and study groups will be held after the next meeting to impliment surcharges to our always increasing bills.
As usual the MID staff's presentation was colorful but not satisfying.
One slide in particular displayed rate increases in percentages comparing other utility districts against the MID.
But without actually knowing how much money each represents it was worthless. As an example, PG&E had an increase of 2.1% and Santa Clara had a 7% increase. But since no numbers are mentioned who can know which is better?
Actually PG&E has lower rates than MID at this stand point. So while the presentation was fact filled, it wasn't informative and this was pointed out by several members of the audience.
But the extraordinary fireworks began at the very end of the meeting,during Public Input for the Good of the District portion when comments were made regarding the mis-named Smart Meters.Three points regarding the meters were made.
1. Some of the smart meters have burst into flames. Somewhere around 20,000 meters have been sent to Mexico for repairs and communication errors were discovered and miss matched components were installed in them during the repairs.
2. Transmitters inside the meters have caused the GFI/AFI circuit breakers to trip in homes. The solution the MID used was to replace breakers with ordinary breakers and install GFI recptacles in various places inside the home. Repairmen and not certified electricians were used and the work wasn't inspected by either the City or the County.
MID could be held liable for future wiring problems and injurys or deaths that could result.
Over $150,000.00 worth of overtime resultd which was intentially hidden and charged to maintenance or capital accounts to cover budget shortfalls and cover expense.In addition since
MID has intentionally withheld this problem from the public, many customers could be experiencing this problem and had it corrected at their own expense.
3. Meters have been discovered to be grossly inacurate by as much as 30% give or take. While a small number of these has been discovered to date(and unless someone complains they might not be discovered)there is no way of knowing the true extent of the problem.
Please remember that no meters were tested locally prior to instillation not even a random sample.Why Allen Short has been claiming at MID meetings that there are no problems with these meters is anyone's guess. But apparently the public has been deliberately misinformed.
During one of the meetings many breaks I talked with Kate Hora(MID Public Affairs Specialist)who made the statement that MID wasn't experiencing problems with the meters. I suggest she ask more questions of those informing her.
The Planning Commission will be Meeting Monday Night at 7:PM at 1010 10th St in the basement...Be There
By Emerson Drake
1/23/10
The City Council wants to be your Backdoor Council and make an end run around our Refusal of the Annexations be prepared to be there and tell them NO WAY.
They are refusing to have another public meeting so we can't gather the opposition.
Don't let the developers raise your water and sewer rates AGAIN!
We have asked for another public hearing to address the changes made to the General Plan since the November 18th meeting which is reasonable because they have added more land to the proposal.
But since they are refusing to have another public meeting, and it's unfortunate because over over 50 people attended the last one(at least two were for this end run), and it appears that the Planning Commission is the next step.
Now it isn't certain they will take public comments into consideration for future adjustments but regardless they will take input from the Planning Commission and then the next step is to go before the Economic Committee.
One very real concern is as soon as it hits the Economic Committee and the environmental studies are finished they could bring parcels individually to the City Council for approval.
Once they have the get that far almost nothing can be done to stop or change their plans.
Recently at a City Council meeting we watched Kristin Olsen(who it services her donors well)argue adamantly for one of her large political donors(Chopra) and against a small family owned group.
Her specific comments were now that we've reached this portion of the process things are cast in stone and would be difficult to change.
Two thirds of the small family's land was going to be used for storm water retention ponds while the Chopra property was going to be relatively unused.
We MUST be on our guard because there are powerful interests who have donated large sums of money to politicians towards annexing these properties and will push the process behind closed doors as much as possible.
Also please note that four of the recent changes in the General Plan haven't been had their potential sewer connections voted on.
Why are they trying to keep Modestans in the dark is a good question.
Did you read anything about this in the McClatchy Bee?
NO...maybe we should ask ourselves, WHY?
1/23/10
The City Council wants to be your Backdoor Council and make an end run around our Refusal of the Annexations be prepared to be there and tell them NO WAY.
They are refusing to have another public meeting so we can't gather the opposition.
Don't let the developers raise your water and sewer rates AGAIN!
We have asked for another public hearing to address the changes made to the General Plan since the November 18th meeting which is reasonable because they have added more land to the proposal.
But since they are refusing to have another public meeting, and it's unfortunate because over over 50 people attended the last one(at least two were for this end run), and it appears that the Planning Commission is the next step.
Now it isn't certain they will take public comments into consideration for future adjustments but regardless they will take input from the Planning Commission and then the next step is to go before the Economic Committee.
One very real concern is as soon as it hits the Economic Committee and the environmental studies are finished they could bring parcels individually to the City Council for approval.
Once they have the get that far almost nothing can be done to stop or change their plans.
Recently at a City Council meeting we watched Kristin Olsen(who it services her donors well)argue adamantly for one of her large political donors(Chopra) and against a small family owned group.
Her specific comments were now that we've reached this portion of the process things are cast in stone and would be difficult to change.
Two thirds of the small family's land was going to be used for storm water retention ponds while the Chopra property was going to be relatively unused.
We MUST be on our guard because there are powerful interests who have donated large sums of money to politicians towards annexing these properties and will push the process behind closed doors as much as possible.
Also please note that four of the recent changes in the General Plan haven't been had their potential sewer connections voted on.
Why are they trying to keep Modestans in the dark is a good question.
Did you read anything about this in the McClatchy Bee?
NO...maybe we should ask ourselves, WHY?
The Modesto City Council is Undermining the Voters
By Emerson Drake
1/3/10
Less than fifteen days after the November elections the Modesto City Council used the City Staff to charge full speed ahead with total disregard of the November 3rd annexation vote which overwhelmingly rejected the five annexations proposed by the council.
This is the only place you can read what was discussed at the meeting.
The City Staff and the Modesto City Council have no desire for you to read the topics that were discussed.
Will the citizens proposals fall by the wayside to be replaced by the concerns of the developers?
GPA-09-002 is the Proposed General Plan Amendment Draft Project Description.
A large mouthful of words saying the heck with the voters and we'll do what we and our political donors want to do.I
t's long and involved but the voters of Modesto deserve the right to know what's going on downtown.
It will be followed by the forty seven suggestions/complaints that were made at the November 18th meeting.
Which if the staff and the council gets their way will be the only public meeting for the proposal before the Planning Commission gets to vote on it.GPA-09-002PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTDRAFT PROJECT DESCRIPTION 11/18/09The following is a description of the proposed project, which consists of changes to certainGeneral Plan land use designations and the Sphere of Influence boundary.
The changes aredescribed below. The first section below describes the proposed changes in variousComprehensive Planning Districts.
The second section proposes changes in some of the landuse designations.
This project was authorized by the City Council as a result of the 2009 UrbanArea Growth Policy Review. Some miscellaneous policy revisions will also be considered.
1. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING DISTRICTSKiernan Avenue Corridor CPDs
This area consists of three different Comprehensive Planning Districts (CPDs) located along thenorth and south sides of Kiernan Avenue between Stoddard Road and McHenry Avenue (SeeExhibit A).
The first area is the portion of Kiernan/Carver CPD including approximately 500 acreseast of American Avenue, south of Kiernan Avenue, west of Tully Road, and north of BangsAvenue.
The project proposes to change the land use designation from Village Residential to a newBusiness Commercial Residential (BCR) designation that would emphasize business park usealong with commercial and residential uses. Table 1 below shows the proposed land use intensities.
Development would involve a mixture of business park, commercial, and multiple-family residentialwith a minimum density of 20 units per acre. The development should occur in nodes with anappropriate transition to the existing and proposed residential development south on Bangs Avenue.
The proposed project would also add approximately 230 acres of land designated Business Parklocated west of Kaiser Hospital into the Modesto Sphere of Influence (SOI). No change is proposedto the remaining 650 acres of the Kiernan/Carver CPD.
Table 1 Proposed Business Commercial Residential Land Use DesignationLand UseDesignationProposed Business Commercial Residential Land Use IntensityResidential 1 Minimum 20% Maximum 45%Commercial Minimum 05% Maximum 25%Business Park Minimum 50% Maximum 75%1 Multi-family residential with a minimum density of 20 units per acre
The second area is the entire Kiernan/Carver North CPD, which consists of approximately 460acres of Village Residential designation and 30 acres of Regional Commercial designation. Theproposal is to change the approximately 420 acres of Village Residential designation to BusinessPark, and 40 acres of Village Residential designation (just east of Dale Road) to RegionalCommercial.
30 acres of Regional Commercial designation located just west of McHenry Avenue isproposed to be changed to Business Park, consistent with the existing business park development.
The third area consists of approximately 320 acres within the Salida CPD, designated for BusinessPark development, located north of Kiernan Avenue and west of Dale Road. The project would addthis area to the SOI and change approximately 40 acres to Regional Commercial around theKiernan Avenue and Dale Road intersection.
1Hetch-Hetchy CPDThe proposed project would change the land use designation for approximately 60 acres of landin the Hetch-Hetchy CPD from Village Residential to Regional Commercial along Oakdale Roadbetween Claribel Road and Claratina Avenue (See Exhibit B).
The new Regional Commercialland use area would be in addition to 60 acres of new Regional Commercial area proposed inthe Roselle/Claribel CPD on the east side of Oakdale Road. Two new 60-acre RegionalCommercial nodes are shown on the land use diagram straddling Oakdale Road.
The nodes areintended to provide flexibility in terms of precise location, primarily due to the uncertainty of thefinal design and alignment of the North County Corridor.
Roselle/Claribel CPD
There are two proposed land use changes in the Roselle/Claribel CPD.
The first change is theaddition of 60 acres of Regional Commercial land use designation along Oakdale Road asdescribed above (See Exhibit B).The second change is re-designation of the 260-acre Business Park triangle to Mixed Use (SeeExhibit C).
The Mixed Use designation would be modified to allow Light Industrial land uses nextto rail lines, and to prohibit residential use within 500 feet of a rail line, subject to a noise study.Village One CPDNo change is proposed.
The 2009 Urban Growth Review concluded with a recommendation toreview the land use options for the Business Park triangle located at the east side of the VillageOne CPD (See Exhibit
D). The Mixed Use designation was considered as an alternative, but isnot recommended because of compatibility issues created by placing residential uses in closeproximity to the with Claus Road expressway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. Thecurrent Business Park designation allows for Regional Commercial uses.Highway 132 CPD
The proposed project would change the 660 acres currently designated as Business Park to140 acres of Mixed Use, 60 acres of Residential, and 460 acres of Rural Residential (SeeExhibit E).
The proposed Residential designation is located at the northeast portion of the CPDmainly north of the MID Lateral No. 4, consisting of an existing single family neighborhood. Theproposed Mixed Use designation is the remaining portion of this CPD north of MID Lateral No.4.
The Mixed Use designation would allow some commercial development to take advantage ofthe future State Highway 132 route proposed along the north boundary of this CPD.
Theremaining 460 acres south of the MID lateral is proposed to be designated Rural Residential,which would be a new land use designation requiring a minimum lot size of two acres.
The newRural Residential designation is proposed because of the strong established pattern of the largelots and agricultural uses.Beckwith/Dakota CPD
The Beckwith/Dakota CPD is proposed to be added to the SOI, but no changes to land usedesignations are proposed (See Exhibit F).A summary of all the proposed changes are provided in Table 2 below.
22. PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND USE DESIGNATIONSThe changes described below are provided using the existing text in Chapter III. CommunityDevelopment Policies of the Modesto Urban Area General Plan with proposed new text shown as underlined.Rural Residential (RR)a. Purpose and IntentTo provide for large-lot residential development and limited agricultural uses.
Residentialuses include large-lot single-family detached housing. Compatible uses in the RuralResidential designation may include parks and open space, and certain limitedagricultural uses such as family farms, orchards and vineyards.
b. Location Criteria
This designation is applied to the south portion of the Highway 132 CPD that have anexisting pattern of residential development on large lots with some agricultural activities.
2. PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND USE DESIGNATIONSThe changes described below are provided using the existing text in Chapter III.
CommunityDevelopment Policies of the Modesto Urban Area General Plan with proposed new text shown as underlined.Rural Residential (RR)
a. Purpose and IntentTo provide for large-lot residential development and limited agricultural uses. Residentialuses include large-lot single-family detached housing. Compatible uses in the RuralResidential designation may include parks and open space, and certain limitedagricultural uses such as family farms, orchards and vineyards.
b. Location CriteriaThis designation is applied to the south portion of the Highway 132 CPD that have anexisting pattern of residential development on large lots with some agricultural activities.
Business Commercial Residentiala. Purpose and IntentTo provide for a combination of land uses which include business park, commercial, andmulti-family residential land uses.
The business park land use does not include RegionalCommercial uses.
This designation is intended to generate employment intensive usesthat will be a compact and walkable development.
Development should occur in nodesintegrating the different land uses that will provide opportunities for a live-workenvironment.
b. Location Criteria
This designation may be applied in areas that have adequate access to regional trafficroutes and transit corridors including being close to Freeway 99.
This designation isintended for those areas where the combination of land uses would be appropriate and would assist in the transition to neighboring existing and planned uses.
c. Land Use Intensity
For any new development site, the land use mix shall be a minimum of approximately 20 percent and a maximum of approximately 45 percent of the gross land area devoted to residential uses; a minimum of approximately 5 percent and a maximum of approximately 25 percent of the gross land area may be devoted to commercial uses, and a minimum of approximately 50 percent and maximum of 75 percent may be devoted to business park uses.
For residential uses, the intensity shall average 20 dwelling units per gross acre for the residential site.
For non-residential uses, the guiding intensity is approximately 0.35 square feet of building area per square foot of gross acreage of the entire site.
City of Modesto Community and Economic Development Department
GPA-09-002 / General Plan Land Use AmendmentsSummary of 11/18/09 public workshop comments
This document is a list of comments given at the public workshop referenced above. The information presented is limited to comments only. Follow-up discussion or clarification by staff was not recorded during the meeting.
KIERNAN / CARVER CPDs
1. Is this project driven by a staff-initiated process or by City Council direction?
2. Do the proposed / recommended General Plan Amendments reflect the (negative) 11/3/09 Measure M advisory votes? Will there be opportunity to address the election results in the context of this project?
3. Five planning areas received a negative vote on 11/3/09. The typical planning process (annexation of Comprehensive Planning Districts in the Planned Urbanizing Area) takes five to seven years. The College West Comprehensive Planning District (CPD) will develop entirely non-residential, so should be allowed to proceed without further pre-requisites. Village One triangle should be changed to Business Park (BP) and/or Mixed Use (MU).
4. What street marks the eastern boundary of the Salida CPD? What is the location of Morrow Road?
5. Attendance / participation by City Council members was expected. A Modesto Bee article should indicate: City Council interest in development; water supply issues are concerning; development north of Kiernan would be detrimental due to the excellent agricultural soils and significant groundwater recharge (6,500 acre-feet) that exists there.
6. The Measure M advisory votes from the 11/3/09 election were negative, so this project is in direct conflict with those election results.
7. Regarding the area near Dale / Kiernan: 100+ curb cuts (driveways) already exist along Kiernan; the proposed project will result in significantly more traffic congestion, particularly near SR99, which will create difficulty in traveling to points east; BP land use will draw a large number of truck trips.
8. What Ag Mitigation component is built in to the project?
9. How is the City Council involved in this project? There is a technical component(s) to this project, and also a broad policy question related to the 11/3/09 election. This project IS about sewer extension. City Council should be involved now. Project should be stopped until the City Council gets involved.
10. Financial concerns need to be addressed by the City Council as a first step. North County Corridor funding could be better spent on something else.
11. The City Council could decide to proceed with annexation and development, despite the 11/3/09 negative election results. Measure M advisory votes could / should be binding, in order to facilitate further discussion (regarding the merits of additional development).
12. What is the difference between Village Residential and Residential? What is Mixed Use? Is the business park of the future simply Mixed Use without Residential? Business Park development should create jobs. Is the BP designation consistent with the description presented at this workshop?
13. The Village One Business Park triangle has significant restrictions / constraints. Prior development proposals have been discouraged. This area is better designated MU.
14. Long-range (50-yr timeframe) planning should happen now, so that the framework is in place to facilitate job creation, establishment of appropriate development fees, etc.)
HETCH-HECTHY
15. Has there been any discussion with the commercial development community? It appears that this project includes a lot of proposed non-residential development.
16. Are proposed RC nodes / areas prioritized? Will all development contemplated by this project be connected to City of Modesto utilities?
17. Proposed future development overlaps two CPDs (Hetch-Hetchy and Roselle / Claribel). So, do both need to be planned & annexed together? How does the North County Corridor change the project approach or strategy?
18. The timing of this project / workshop is insulting to voters in Modesto. The City Council should vote in an official capacity if advisory vote election results are to be overridden.1
9. Regional planning, smart growth planning and (the lack of) agricultural mitigation in Modesto is an embarrassment. The best soils on earth exist here, but there is no real plan to protect this resource.
20. New high schools are under-utilized. City population is decreasing, so why should we expect future non-residential investment? Staff has indicated that future development demand will exist Taxpayers funded high schools that are not fully utilized
21. Has the City consulted with Riverbank?2
2. Many empty commercial buildings exist in Modesto today should we not focus on redevelopment of these existing blighted areas? Focus on current issues and problems, rather than future development, would improve staff's credibility.
23.Where is the long-term planning for no-growth areas? Why are we not discussing protection of the excellent agricultural soils?
24. Is this project not an opportunity to establish policies to account for protection of the best agricultural soils? These soils have high value. What about water? What about greenbelts/buffers? What about the value of soils?
25. Constraints are significant: water, air, soils.
26. What can citizens do to promote a comprehensive General Plan update? (AB32, SB375, Climate Action Plan)
27. When objections to proposed development have been articulated in the past, the response often has been: Regional Housing Needs Allocation requires residential development to accommodate the needed dwelling unit count. Now we have new rules, regulations, and laws regarding climate change. So, what has changed? What is different now?
28. There has been no discussion of General Plan (GP) boundaries. Some of the planning areas covered by the project are in the current GP boundary, and some are outside?ROSELLE / CLARIBEL CPD
29. Claratina Ave. south of future North County Corridor. No plans to extend Claratina east of railroad / no plans for a future Claratina / NCC interchange? It is a good idea to make this change.
30. How did staff determine the 500 non-residential buffer along the railroad?VILLAGE ONE CPD
31. Prior development proposals ultimately proved in feasible, so those businesses located elsewhere. The Business Park Triangle should accommodate light industrial uses.HIGHWAY 132 CPD
32. What density would be allowed under the Rural Residential designation? What density is allowed in the County today?
33. Why not extend the MU designation across the entire north boundary?
34. Why designate RR adjacent to VR to the south (Paradise / Carpenter CPD)?BECKWITH / DAKOTA CPD
35. Planning in Modesto has been admirable. Why not accommodate growth on the west side of SR99? Beckwith interchange improvements will alleviate some congestion at the Briggsmore interchange. Beckwith side of the Standiford Ave. interchange needs upgrades (currently transitions from seven lanes to two).
36. The proposed project will add congestion to the busiest interchange between Sacramento and Fresno. There is a lack of credibility in promises for non-residential development. Costs for traffic (and other) mitigation are very high. There is adamant opposition to development west of SR99.
37. The City's financial situation, and the school districts financial situation, are not good. Commercial activity is down, air quality is declining, social/family values are eroding. So, bring jobs in is the right thing to do.
38. This project/plan is a benefit. Some infrastructure (fiber-optic) is already in place to facilitate future development.
39.West side of SR99 (including Beckwith / Dakota) should remain in agricultural production.
40. Development in San Joaquin County and Turlock has jumped to the west side of SR99. This is a negative precedent that Modesto should not follow.
41. What will be the impacts of Sphere of Influence (SOI) expansion?
42. Does inclusion in the SOI indicate guaranteed or assured future development? Are areas within the SOI precluded from designation as an agricultural preserve?
43. There are no properties north of Beckwith and east of Dakota that are under Williamson Act contract.MISCELLANEOUS / WRAP-UP
44. If staff has been directed to initiate and complete this project, then what is the purpose of this workshop?
45. Annexations affect the entire City, not just the property owners within the project boundaries.
46. What exactly will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council? Is this a scoping meeting? Where, when and how does the public participate in this process?
47. There appears to be a disconnect with the public regarding recognition / understanding of opportunities to participate in the process.
1/3/10
Less than fifteen days after the November elections the Modesto City Council used the City Staff to charge full speed ahead with total disregard of the November 3rd annexation vote which overwhelmingly rejected the five annexations proposed by the council.
This is the only place you can read what was discussed at the meeting.
The City Staff and the Modesto City Council have no desire for you to read the topics that were discussed.
Will the citizens proposals fall by the wayside to be replaced by the concerns of the developers?
GPA-09-002 is the Proposed General Plan Amendment Draft Project Description.
A large mouthful of words saying the heck with the voters and we'll do what we and our political donors want to do.I
t's long and involved but the voters of Modesto deserve the right to know what's going on downtown.
It will be followed by the forty seven suggestions/complaints that were made at the November 18th meeting.
Which if the staff and the council gets their way will be the only public meeting for the proposal before the Planning Commission gets to vote on it.GPA-09-002PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTDRAFT PROJECT DESCRIPTION 11/18/09The following is a description of the proposed project, which consists of changes to certainGeneral Plan land use designations and the Sphere of Influence boundary.
The changes aredescribed below. The first section below describes the proposed changes in variousComprehensive Planning Districts.
The second section proposes changes in some of the landuse designations.
This project was authorized by the City Council as a result of the 2009 UrbanArea Growth Policy Review. Some miscellaneous policy revisions will also be considered.
1. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING DISTRICTSKiernan Avenue Corridor CPDs
This area consists of three different Comprehensive Planning Districts (CPDs) located along thenorth and south sides of Kiernan Avenue between Stoddard Road and McHenry Avenue (SeeExhibit A).
The first area is the portion of Kiernan/Carver CPD including approximately 500 acreseast of American Avenue, south of Kiernan Avenue, west of Tully Road, and north of BangsAvenue.
The project proposes to change the land use designation from Village Residential to a newBusiness Commercial Residential (BCR) designation that would emphasize business park usealong with commercial and residential uses. Table 1 below shows the proposed land use intensities.
Development would involve a mixture of business park, commercial, and multiple-family residentialwith a minimum density of 20 units per acre. The development should occur in nodes with anappropriate transition to the existing and proposed residential development south on Bangs Avenue.
The proposed project would also add approximately 230 acres of land designated Business Parklocated west of Kaiser Hospital into the Modesto Sphere of Influence (SOI). No change is proposedto the remaining 650 acres of the Kiernan/Carver CPD.
Table 1 Proposed Business Commercial Residential Land Use DesignationLand UseDesignationProposed Business Commercial Residential Land Use IntensityResidential 1 Minimum 20% Maximum 45%Commercial Minimum 05% Maximum 25%Business Park Minimum 50% Maximum 75%1 Multi-family residential with a minimum density of 20 units per acre
The second area is the entire Kiernan/Carver North CPD, which consists of approximately 460acres of Village Residential designation and 30 acres of Regional Commercial designation. Theproposal is to change the approximately 420 acres of Village Residential designation to BusinessPark, and 40 acres of Village Residential designation (just east of Dale Road) to RegionalCommercial.
30 acres of Regional Commercial designation located just west of McHenry Avenue isproposed to be changed to Business Park, consistent with the existing business park development.
The third area consists of approximately 320 acres within the Salida CPD, designated for BusinessPark development, located north of Kiernan Avenue and west of Dale Road. The project would addthis area to the SOI and change approximately 40 acres to Regional Commercial around theKiernan Avenue and Dale Road intersection.
1Hetch-Hetchy CPDThe proposed project would change the land use designation for approximately 60 acres of landin the Hetch-Hetchy CPD from Village Residential to Regional Commercial along Oakdale Roadbetween Claribel Road and Claratina Avenue (See Exhibit B).
The new Regional Commercialland use area would be in addition to 60 acres of new Regional Commercial area proposed inthe Roselle/Claribel CPD on the east side of Oakdale Road. Two new 60-acre RegionalCommercial nodes are shown on the land use diagram straddling Oakdale Road.
The nodes areintended to provide flexibility in terms of precise location, primarily due to the uncertainty of thefinal design and alignment of the North County Corridor.
Roselle/Claribel CPD
There are two proposed land use changes in the Roselle/Claribel CPD.
The first change is theaddition of 60 acres of Regional Commercial land use designation along Oakdale Road asdescribed above (See Exhibit B).The second change is re-designation of the 260-acre Business Park triangle to Mixed Use (SeeExhibit C).
The Mixed Use designation would be modified to allow Light Industrial land uses nextto rail lines, and to prohibit residential use within 500 feet of a rail line, subject to a noise study.Village One CPDNo change is proposed.
The 2009 Urban Growth Review concluded with a recommendation toreview the land use options for the Business Park triangle located at the east side of the VillageOne CPD (See Exhibit
D). The Mixed Use designation was considered as an alternative, but isnot recommended because of compatibility issues created by placing residential uses in closeproximity to the with Claus Road expressway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. Thecurrent Business Park designation allows for Regional Commercial uses.Highway 132 CPD
The proposed project would change the 660 acres currently designated as Business Park to140 acres of Mixed Use, 60 acres of Residential, and 460 acres of Rural Residential (SeeExhibit E).
The proposed Residential designation is located at the northeast portion of the CPDmainly north of the MID Lateral No. 4, consisting of an existing single family neighborhood. Theproposed Mixed Use designation is the remaining portion of this CPD north of MID Lateral No.4.
The Mixed Use designation would allow some commercial development to take advantage ofthe future State Highway 132 route proposed along the north boundary of this CPD.
Theremaining 460 acres south of the MID lateral is proposed to be designated Rural Residential,which would be a new land use designation requiring a minimum lot size of two acres.
The newRural Residential designation is proposed because of the strong established pattern of the largelots and agricultural uses.Beckwith/Dakota CPD
The Beckwith/Dakota CPD is proposed to be added to the SOI, but no changes to land usedesignations are proposed (See Exhibit F).A summary of all the proposed changes are provided in Table 2 below.
22. PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND USE DESIGNATIONSThe changes described below are provided using the existing text in Chapter III. CommunityDevelopment Policies of the Modesto Urban Area General Plan with proposed new text shown as underlined.Rural Residential (RR)a. Purpose and IntentTo provide for large-lot residential development and limited agricultural uses.
Residentialuses include large-lot single-family detached housing. Compatible uses in the RuralResidential designation may include parks and open space, and certain limitedagricultural uses such as family farms, orchards and vineyards.
b. Location Criteria
This designation is applied to the south portion of the Highway 132 CPD that have anexisting pattern of residential development on large lots with some agricultural activities.
2. PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND USE DESIGNATIONSThe changes described below are provided using the existing text in Chapter III.
CommunityDevelopment Policies of the Modesto Urban Area General Plan with proposed new text shown as underlined.Rural Residential (RR)
a. Purpose and IntentTo provide for large-lot residential development and limited agricultural uses. Residentialuses include large-lot single-family detached housing. Compatible uses in the RuralResidential designation may include parks and open space, and certain limitedagricultural uses such as family farms, orchards and vineyards.
b. Location CriteriaThis designation is applied to the south portion of the Highway 132 CPD that have anexisting pattern of residential development on large lots with some agricultural activities.
Business Commercial Residentiala. Purpose and IntentTo provide for a combination of land uses which include business park, commercial, andmulti-family residential land uses.
The business park land use does not include RegionalCommercial uses.
This designation is intended to generate employment intensive usesthat will be a compact and walkable development.
Development should occur in nodesintegrating the different land uses that will provide opportunities for a live-workenvironment.
b. Location Criteria
This designation may be applied in areas that have adequate access to regional trafficroutes and transit corridors including being close to Freeway 99.
This designation isintended for those areas where the combination of land uses would be appropriate and would assist in the transition to neighboring existing and planned uses.
c. Land Use Intensity
For any new development site, the land use mix shall be a minimum of approximately 20 percent and a maximum of approximately 45 percent of the gross land area devoted to residential uses; a minimum of approximately 5 percent and a maximum of approximately 25 percent of the gross land area may be devoted to commercial uses, and a minimum of approximately 50 percent and maximum of 75 percent may be devoted to business park uses.
For residential uses, the intensity shall average 20 dwelling units per gross acre for the residential site.
For non-residential uses, the guiding intensity is approximately 0.35 square feet of building area per square foot of gross acreage of the entire site.
City of Modesto Community and Economic Development Department
GPA-09-002 / General Plan Land Use AmendmentsSummary of 11/18/09 public workshop comments
This document is a list of comments given at the public workshop referenced above. The information presented is limited to comments only. Follow-up discussion or clarification by staff was not recorded during the meeting.
KIERNAN / CARVER CPDs
1. Is this project driven by a staff-initiated process or by City Council direction?
2. Do the proposed / recommended General Plan Amendments reflect the (negative) 11/3/09 Measure M advisory votes? Will there be opportunity to address the election results in the context of this project?
3. Five planning areas received a negative vote on 11/3/09. The typical planning process (annexation of Comprehensive Planning Districts in the Planned Urbanizing Area) takes five to seven years. The College West Comprehensive Planning District (CPD) will develop entirely non-residential, so should be allowed to proceed without further pre-requisites. Village One triangle should be changed to Business Park (BP) and/or Mixed Use (MU).
4. What street marks the eastern boundary of the Salida CPD? What is the location of Morrow Road?
5. Attendance / participation by City Council members was expected. A Modesto Bee article should indicate: City Council interest in development; water supply issues are concerning; development north of Kiernan would be detrimental due to the excellent agricultural soils and significant groundwater recharge (6,500 acre-feet) that exists there.
6. The Measure M advisory votes from the 11/3/09 election were negative, so this project is in direct conflict with those election results.
7. Regarding the area near Dale / Kiernan: 100+ curb cuts (driveways) already exist along Kiernan; the proposed project will result in significantly more traffic congestion, particularly near SR99, which will create difficulty in traveling to points east; BP land use will draw a large number of truck trips.
8. What Ag Mitigation component is built in to the project?
9. How is the City Council involved in this project? There is a technical component(s) to this project, and also a broad policy question related to the 11/3/09 election. This project IS about sewer extension. City Council should be involved now. Project should be stopped until the City Council gets involved.
10. Financial concerns need to be addressed by the City Council as a first step. North County Corridor funding could be better spent on something else.
11. The City Council could decide to proceed with annexation and development, despite the 11/3/09 negative election results. Measure M advisory votes could / should be binding, in order to facilitate further discussion (regarding the merits of additional development).
12. What is the difference between Village Residential and Residential? What is Mixed Use? Is the business park of the future simply Mixed Use without Residential? Business Park development should create jobs. Is the BP designation consistent with the description presented at this workshop?
13. The Village One Business Park triangle has significant restrictions / constraints. Prior development proposals have been discouraged. This area is better designated MU.
14. Long-range (50-yr timeframe) planning should happen now, so that the framework is in place to facilitate job creation, establishment of appropriate development fees, etc.)
HETCH-HECTHY
15. Has there been any discussion with the commercial development community? It appears that this project includes a lot of proposed non-residential development.
16. Are proposed RC nodes / areas prioritized? Will all development contemplated by this project be connected to City of Modesto utilities?
17. Proposed future development overlaps two CPDs (Hetch-Hetchy and Roselle / Claribel). So, do both need to be planned & annexed together? How does the North County Corridor change the project approach or strategy?
18. The timing of this project / workshop is insulting to voters in Modesto. The City Council should vote in an official capacity if advisory vote election results are to be overridden.1
9. Regional planning, smart growth planning and (the lack of) agricultural mitigation in Modesto is an embarrassment. The best soils on earth exist here, but there is no real plan to protect this resource.
20. New high schools are under-utilized. City population is decreasing, so why should we expect future non-residential investment? Staff has indicated that future development demand will exist Taxpayers funded high schools that are not fully utilized
21. Has the City consulted with Riverbank?2
2. Many empty commercial buildings exist in Modesto today should we not focus on redevelopment of these existing blighted areas? Focus on current issues and problems, rather than future development, would improve staff's credibility.
23.Where is the long-term planning for no-growth areas? Why are we not discussing protection of the excellent agricultural soils?
24. Is this project not an opportunity to establish policies to account for protection of the best agricultural soils? These soils have high value. What about water? What about greenbelts/buffers? What about the value of soils?
25. Constraints are significant: water, air, soils.
26. What can citizens do to promote a comprehensive General Plan update? (AB32, SB375, Climate Action Plan)
27. When objections to proposed development have been articulated in the past, the response often has been: Regional Housing Needs Allocation requires residential development to accommodate the needed dwelling unit count. Now we have new rules, regulations, and laws regarding climate change. So, what has changed? What is different now?
28. There has been no discussion of General Plan (GP) boundaries. Some of the planning areas covered by the project are in the current GP boundary, and some are outside?ROSELLE / CLARIBEL CPD
29. Claratina Ave. south of future North County Corridor. No plans to extend Claratina east of railroad / no plans for a future Claratina / NCC interchange? It is a good idea to make this change.
30. How did staff determine the 500 non-residential buffer along the railroad?VILLAGE ONE CPD
31. Prior development proposals ultimately proved in feasible, so those businesses located elsewhere. The Business Park Triangle should accommodate light industrial uses.HIGHWAY 132 CPD
32. What density would be allowed under the Rural Residential designation? What density is allowed in the County today?
33. Why not extend the MU designation across the entire north boundary?
34. Why designate RR adjacent to VR to the south (Paradise / Carpenter CPD)?BECKWITH / DAKOTA CPD
35. Planning in Modesto has been admirable. Why not accommodate growth on the west side of SR99? Beckwith interchange improvements will alleviate some congestion at the Briggsmore interchange. Beckwith side of the Standiford Ave. interchange needs upgrades (currently transitions from seven lanes to two).
36. The proposed project will add congestion to the busiest interchange between Sacramento and Fresno. There is a lack of credibility in promises for non-residential development. Costs for traffic (and other) mitigation are very high. There is adamant opposition to development west of SR99.
37. The City's financial situation, and the school districts financial situation, are not good. Commercial activity is down, air quality is declining, social/family values are eroding. So, bring jobs in is the right thing to do.
38. This project/plan is a benefit. Some infrastructure (fiber-optic) is already in place to facilitate future development.
39.West side of SR99 (including Beckwith / Dakota) should remain in agricultural production.
40. Development in San Joaquin County and Turlock has jumped to the west side of SR99. This is a negative precedent that Modesto should not follow.
41. What will be the impacts of Sphere of Influence (SOI) expansion?
42. Does inclusion in the SOI indicate guaranteed or assured future development? Are areas within the SOI precluded from designation as an agricultural preserve?
43. There are no properties north of Beckwith and east of Dakota that are under Williamson Act contract.MISCELLANEOUS / WRAP-UP
44. If staff has been directed to initiate and complete this project, then what is the purpose of this workshop?
45. Annexations affect the entire City, not just the property owners within the project boundaries.
46. What exactly will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council? Is this a scoping meeting? Where, when and how does the public participate in this process?
47. There appears to be a disconnect with the public regarding recognition / understanding of opportunities to participate in the process.
By Emerson Drake
1/3/10
That while Modesto government has been completely shut down that the building industry and the manufactures have decided on their representation without outside selection or debate, but citizens are forced to scramble and be interviewed by the Committee?
And isn't it interesting that the McClatchy News(Bee) has chosen for visiting editor Steve Madison from the Building Industry Association for the first quarter?Could the be a coincidence? Is it hapstance? Or is it more of Modesto politics as usual, also known as "slight of hand, thumbing their nose or even going along to get along?"
Bill Zoslocki will represent the building industry, Jan Marie Ennenga will speak for the Manufactures Council, and Richard Tatoyan will represent the construction industry.
The Fee Committee will be meeting Thursday at 5:30 on the sixth floor od 1010 10th Street in beautiful downtown Modesto.We'll be there to participate and to keep a sharp eye on them.
1/3/10
That while Modesto government has been completely shut down that the building industry and the manufactures have decided on their representation without outside selection or debate, but citizens are forced to scramble and be interviewed by the Committee?
And isn't it interesting that the McClatchy News(Bee) has chosen for visiting editor Steve Madison from the Building Industry Association for the first quarter?Could the be a coincidence? Is it hapstance? Or is it more of Modesto politics as usual, also known as "slight of hand, thumbing their nose or even going along to get along?"
Bill Zoslocki will represent the building industry, Jan Marie Ennenga will speak for the Manufactures Council, and Richard Tatoyan will represent the construction industry.
The Fee Committee will be meeting Thursday at 5:30 on the sixth floor od 1010 10th Street in beautiful downtown Modesto.We'll be there to participate and to keep a sharp eye on them.
MID's Fuzzy Math and How it'll Effect Your Rates
By Emerson Drake
At the recent MID Board meeting that was held Dec.22nd we learned about a new solar venture that might be built on 160 acres of farmland on north McHenry. A major concern for those present was the cost of the power MID was going to purchase from SunPower Corp. a company based in San Jose.
During the public comment period it was learned that MID had entered into a non-disclosure agreement with SunPower regarding the price to be paid for the solar power that was to be generated at the solar farm on McHenry.
When pressed for figures MID's response was that the surcharge was going to be approximately 1.8 to 3.2 cents more than the going rate of brown power, which they priced at .08 cents.But when reminded of a figure they announced at a prior meeting of .12 cents they said that was below they amount they had negotiated for on this new contract.
Lets see, Brown power is at .08 cents , and add in their top end of 3.2 cents, and yet they say it will cost MORE than .12 cents. So what is the truth regarding the total cost of solar power?Why is a publicly owned utility agreeing to a non-disclosed rate that is beyond what they are admitting to the rate paying owners?Why isn't other media in this town questioning the numbers?
Remember that when we start paying anything above .08 cents it will have a direct effect on our utility bills, in other words rates will increase and so will the amount we pay on our electric bills.
SunPower needs the 25 year contract with the MID to obtain their bank loans. And since they're already just leasing the land, and leasing has been a hurdle that MID hasn't been willing to overlook in other solar contracts involving Modesto businesses.
Why is SunPower getting a sweetheart deal from the MID?
At the recent MID Board meeting that was held Dec.22nd we learned about a new solar venture that might be built on 160 acres of farmland on north McHenry. A major concern for those present was the cost of the power MID was going to purchase from SunPower Corp. a company based in San Jose.
During the public comment period it was learned that MID had entered into a non-disclosure agreement with SunPower regarding the price to be paid for the solar power that was to be generated at the solar farm on McHenry.
When pressed for figures MID's response was that the surcharge was going to be approximately 1.8 to 3.2 cents more than the going rate of brown power, which they priced at .08 cents.But when reminded of a figure they announced at a prior meeting of .12 cents they said that was below they amount they had negotiated for on this new contract.
Lets see, Brown power is at .08 cents , and add in their top end of 3.2 cents, and yet they say it will cost MORE than .12 cents. So what is the truth regarding the total cost of solar power?Why is a publicly owned utility agreeing to a non-disclosed rate that is beyond what they are admitting to the rate paying owners?Why isn't other media in this town questioning the numbers?
Remember that when we start paying anything above .08 cents it will have a direct effect on our utility bills, in other words rates will increase and so will the amount we pay on our electric bills.
SunPower needs the 25 year contract with the MID to obtain their bank loans. And since they're already just leasing the land, and leasing has been a hurdle that MID hasn't been willing to overlook in other solar contracts involving Modesto businesses.
Why is SunPower getting a sweetheart deal from the MID?
The Hole The Modesto Housing Market is Really In
By Emerson Drake
Studies are showing that nationwide more than 32% of all mortgaged properties are underwater meaning owners owed more than the property was worth. The numbers are expected to increase to 48% by the first quarter of 2011. Unfortunately the national numbers don’t reflect the true picture regarding Modesto.
Here today, our percentage of underwater mortgaged property stands at 84%. That's an almost unbelievable number for most of us. Only Merced and El Centro have higher numbers in the entire country and they stand at 85% underwater.
The Home building industry which would include developers, builders, appraisers, loan institutions. and Real Estate businesses helped drive a market in which overpriced homes became the norm and a market which in the long run would become unsustainable..The serious delinquency rate here in Modesto is 18.99% meaning the combined percentage of mortgages more than 90 days delinquent or in foreclosure.
According to reports, homes available for sale are being withheld from the market to create a false market price.A recent story in the local McClatchy Bee stopped short of describing the deep concerns and machinations taking place in our local real estate market.
With our unemployment rate being around 16.2% depending on how you rate it and it doesn’t appear that is going to improve until the summer of next year at best.At a time when strategic default would seem very reasonable it's a wonder why more people aren't doing it.
Here's a link I suggest that anyone upside down in their mortgage read and understand. And if you don't have mortgage problems you may want to read this to fully understand the problems your neighbors are having.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/real_estate/SSRN-id1494467.pdf
Studies are showing that nationwide more than 32% of all mortgaged properties are underwater meaning owners owed more than the property was worth. The numbers are expected to increase to 48% by the first quarter of 2011. Unfortunately the national numbers don’t reflect the true picture regarding Modesto.
Here today, our percentage of underwater mortgaged property stands at 84%. That's an almost unbelievable number for most of us. Only Merced and El Centro have higher numbers in the entire country and they stand at 85% underwater.
The Home building industry which would include developers, builders, appraisers, loan institutions. and Real Estate businesses helped drive a market in which overpriced homes became the norm and a market which in the long run would become unsustainable..The serious delinquency rate here in Modesto is 18.99% meaning the combined percentage of mortgages more than 90 days delinquent or in foreclosure.
According to reports, homes available for sale are being withheld from the market to create a false market price.A recent story in the local McClatchy Bee stopped short of describing the deep concerns and machinations taking place in our local real estate market.
With our unemployment rate being around 16.2% depending on how you rate it and it doesn’t appear that is going to improve until the summer of next year at best.At a time when strategic default would seem very reasonable it's a wonder why more people aren't doing it.
Here's a link I suggest that anyone upside down in their mortgage read and understand. And if you don't have mortgage problems you may want to read this to fully understand the problems your neighbors are having.
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/real_estate/SSRN-id1494467.pdf
City Government and the Christmas Tree Both Need Special Help
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
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
MID wants to Raise Our Rates Again
Well they waited until after the election to start, but the writing is on the wall. Our rates will soon be going up.
Thanks to the McClatchy News and mailed hit pieces we are getting exactly what the public asked for when the re-elected two rubberstamps named Tom Van Groningen and Paul Warda to the MID Board.
And thanks to poorly chosen endorsements by the McClatchy Bee and the Modesto Police Officers Association (MPOA), we also elected a new rubber stamp named Glen Wild who has never spoken up at meeting but still managed to get himself elected despite knowing almost nothing about electricity or water except when you flip the switch the light comes on and when you turn the faucet the water comes out.
At this weeks meeting we had our noses rubbed in a budget that doesn't explain where the money is going and what it's being spent on. Now Allen Short has continued to make the claim that we have a line item budget but the facts don't bear this out.
For example on one line is an item for $2,208,000.00 dollars with a description of "T&D Administration". Sounds nice but when asked what the$ 2.2 Million dollars were being spent on the staff couldn't or would't provide the answers.
When asked to explain how the $580,000.00 dollars labeled "legal" were being spent, again the staff couldn't or wouldn't provide a breakdown.
When asked about $345,000.00 dollars for the General Manager the staff wouldn't or couldn't provide any answers to Board members or the public.Many in attendance found this disconcerting since MID had just had its bond rating reduced from A+ to A stable which will cost the ratepayers about 13 Million dollars next year.
Director Cecil Hensley requested that the Board look into a general belt tightening regarding expenses but Board Chairman Tom Van Groningen interrupted him five times in an effort to stop the inquiry.
No answers were forthcoming from staff regarding the many questions put forth by Mr. Hensley.One interesting aspect was to watch staff do a little soft shoe dance regarding a $10 Million dollar discrepancy in the budget.
The Board of Directors couldn't get an answer from the staff regarding most of the budget question and neither could the public.Staff seems determined to put forward an electric raise of at least 3% and very possibly more early next year.
You didn't read any of this in the McClatchy News, maybe because they endorsed all of these rubber stamps or maybe their just don't care about the consumer and like to play politics. And now we'll all be paying the price because some listened to them.
Thanks to the McClatchy News and mailed hit pieces we are getting exactly what the public asked for when the re-elected two rubberstamps named Tom Van Groningen and Paul Warda to the MID Board.
And thanks to poorly chosen endorsements by the McClatchy Bee and the Modesto Police Officers Association (MPOA), we also elected a new rubber stamp named Glen Wild who has never spoken up at meeting but still managed to get himself elected despite knowing almost nothing about electricity or water except when you flip the switch the light comes on and when you turn the faucet the water comes out.
At this weeks meeting we had our noses rubbed in a budget that doesn't explain where the money is going and what it's being spent on. Now Allen Short has continued to make the claim that we have a line item budget but the facts don't bear this out.
For example on one line is an item for $2,208,000.00 dollars with a description of "T&D Administration". Sounds nice but when asked what the$ 2.2 Million dollars were being spent on the staff couldn't or would't provide the answers.
When asked to explain how the $580,000.00 dollars labeled "legal" were being spent, again the staff couldn't or wouldn't provide a breakdown.
When asked about $345,000.00 dollars for the General Manager the staff wouldn't or couldn't provide any answers to Board members or the public.Many in attendance found this disconcerting since MID had just had its bond rating reduced from A+ to A stable which will cost the ratepayers about 13 Million dollars next year.
Director Cecil Hensley requested that the Board look into a general belt tightening regarding expenses but Board Chairman Tom Van Groningen interrupted him five times in an effort to stop the inquiry.
No answers were forthcoming from staff regarding the many questions put forth by Mr. Hensley.One interesting aspect was to watch staff do a little soft shoe dance regarding a $10 Million dollar discrepancy in the budget.
The Board of Directors couldn't get an answer from the staff regarding most of the budget question and neither could the public.Staff seems determined to put forward an electric raise of at least 3% and very possibly more early next year.
You didn't read any of this in the McClatchy News, maybe because they endorsed all of these rubber stamps or maybe their just don't care about the consumer and like to play politics. And now we'll all be paying the price because some listened to them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)