Dear Editor, In this season of giving thanks, I would like to share a public thank you to everyone who helped to make Emanuel Medical Center's Legacy Circle fund drive such a success. The commitment of our many community and employee volunteers, and the generosity of our hundreds of donors, was truly inspiring. Together, they raised $1,007,000 during ...
The citizens of Turlock deserve some answers. Long-term employees of the City of Turlock just keep disappearing from their departments and jobs. There are no explanations, though often it seems that there are allegations made against them just before they are "unavailable for comment." What kind of 'back room deals' are being made by the City? Why is any of this happening? What kind of plans are being ...
An op-ed article from the New York Times tilted "How to Kill the Meth Monster" written by a colleague of mine, Rob Bovett, district attorney in Lincoln County, Oregon, was recently released. Rob and I also serve as advisory board members for ONDCP's National Methamphetamine and Pharmaceutical Initiative (CMPI). We have been traveling around the country assisting states contemplating the implementation of policy that would return pseudoephedrine (PSE) ...
It's not very often that I agree with burdensome rules and regulations set up by government to stifle businesses. The "Business Balk" article printed in the Journal last week made me chuckle after I read statements from business owners suggesting they are hurting due to a local sign ordinance that has outlived its useful life. I agree with the City's sign ...
I would like to congratulate Councilman-Elect Dehart and Councilman-Elect White on their win and I wish them the best. To the people that not just gave me their vote but also their trust I want to say thank you and that words cannot describe how honored I am to have had your support. I presented to you who I am and intend to stay true to ...
The citizens of Turlock deserve some answers. Long-term employees of the City of Turlock just keep disappearing from their departments and jobs. There are no explanations, though often it seems that there are allegations made against them just before they are "unavailable for comment." What kind of 'back room deals' are being made by the City? Why is any of this happening? What kind of plans are being ...
Bravo Dr. Dubyak on your letter regarding informed vaccination choices.
Dear Editor: The residents of Turlock have an opportunity Nov. 4 to take the first step in filling the need of a local family entertainment venue. The proposed Ten Pin Fun Center will feature bowling, laser tag, arcades, bocce ball, and sports bar/grill - family fun for all ages. Show your support by attending the Planning Commission meeting ...
On November 2nd, we have a chance to do what so many of us have been dreaming about. Follow the money, we've been told, well, that's what Proposition 24, the Tax Fairness Act is about. Though its opponents try to present it as a bad deal for small business and employees, in fact, it has nothing to do with small businesses. The loopholes this prop is attempting to repeal address only ...
As a candidate for the Turlock City Council some of your readers may have gotten the impression that I am only interested in the homeless and transportation problems. On the contrary, I am convinced that the council must be adaptable to the hard times which we must face. I am interested in making it the most efficient and able to serve the greatest number of people for the greatest good.
On Nov. 2, voters have an important decision to make on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Backers would have you believe that legalization would do everything from shutting down cartels to reducing the prison population.
The TABPAC, Turlock Action for Business, interview team has selected two candidates for endorsement for the Turlock City Council. The interview process gave the TABPAC interview team an opportunity to get to know each candidate and their platform, and their reason for wanting to serve the Turlock community on the City Council.
In the last week alone Californians have seen gas prices skyrocket to a state-wide average of $4.67 per gallon - a state record and currently the highest in the nation. Problems with pipelines and a power outage at one of the state's few remaining refineries exacerbated already tight fuel supplies causing the spike. But why has California's ability to meet the demand for gasoline - something needed by virtually every mom driving her kids to ...
Fifty years ago this week, the world woke up to a crisis that brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of a cataclysmic nuclear war. Today, the U.S. continues to have over 5,000 nuclear weapons and five additional countries have become nuclear weapon states since 1962. Our current strategy is not working. We need bold action to move the world towards the elimination of these deadly weapons. Only through mutual, ...
According to dictionary.com a popular definition of sequestration is removal or separation. Although the term sequestration is being bandied about in relation to massive defense cuts that threaten our nation's military readiness, I prefer the term "divorce," because that is exactly what our elected leaders are doing with the Constitution that they have sworn to uphold. While there are many important issues for candidates to address during this campaign season, the bottom line is ...
Several weeks ago, we decided to show support for the presidential candidate of our choice by placing a yard sign in our front yard. The night before last, someone tagged it by spray painting a red circle with a line through it on both sides of the sign. We decided we would keep the sign to show that this act of vandalism would not deter us from showing our support. Apparently, the person ...
Red alert; unions are lying to you again. They will say or do anything to keep the state of California politicos in their pockets. I talked to a group of ladies wearing pins that said "no on proposition 32" and "yes on proposition 30." I asked them if they had read the propositions and they said no but the union said they would lose $500 per month if proposition 30 isn't passed and ...
To the editor: Shame, shame on the IBEW union line workers who all mysteriously "disappeared" during the recent TID power failure. That nasty old "flu bug" always seems to hit union members when the public is most vulnerable, but that's the idea, isn't it? That "virus" even hit Modesto and Merced irrigation workers, even a crew all the way from Visalia. Powerful bug, that. The union didn't give a rat's behind ...
Word of mouth in the dairy industry has been spreading the bad news for months about how things are in California. But no matter what you've heard, it's worse. Yes, there is a financial catastrophe underway. Everyone who milks cows there is losing money. Whatever equity was rebuilt after the 2009 collapse is going up in flames again. The bonfire isn't as big this time, though, because there isn't nearly as much to burn. ...
While putting gas into my car today at $4.82/gal, I started thinking about congressional candidate Jose Hernandez. The last thing we need is another green politician in public office. Like President Obama, he tows the party line for experimental green energy instead of striving to achieve energy independence through domestic oil, gas, natural gas and clean coal. Again like Obama, Hernandez favors dragging the economy over the fiscal cliff into a deeper ...
Yes, it's me again. I hope you are all paying attention to your water bills before you pay them. Last year I wrote a letter to the editor complaining about some 36 day billing periods that cost us extra those months because we went over our monthly gallon allotment. I heard about the reason the city used to explain away the problem last year, and I read the recent article in the ...
It is my understanding that moving our "Califia" statue is being considered. I recall going to see our new statue in 2004 I believe, and frankly I was appalled at the location selected. There wasn't enough space to step back to absorb the wonderful details, design, colors and craftsmanship executed by the artist Donna Billick of Davis. As far as I am concerned, "Califia" is truly a work of art and as ...
Eleven years ago, on the clear morning of September 11th, 2001, the men and women that went to work at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and those that boarded United flights 93 and 175, and American Airlines flights 11 and 77, did not know the tragic fate that lay before them. The victims of 9/11 were sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. They had dreams, they had plans for their future, and ...
It is impressive the legislation that Congressman Jeff Denham has authored or cosponsored on a variety of issues during his first term. One such item is his bipartisan Veteran Skills to Jobs Act (H.R. 4155), having passed into law, and will create a skill certification process that will help vets secure good jobs. Mr. Denham also sponsored H.AMDT 1367 to H.R 5972, an amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used for ...
A low-cost spay and neuter clinic is needed immediately in our town of Turlock. There are abandoned and feral cats everywhere, on the street, in the neighborhood, in parking lots of shopping areas and restaurants. They are starving and multiplying rapidly and it can only get worse. We need to take responsibility immediately and do the right thing. I do not like to think of thousands of cats being euthanized and cremated every ...
I am very impressed with Turlock's new bus hub located at Golden State Boulevard and Hawkeye. During the early quiet hours this Sunday I took the time to take photographs from all sides. The landscaping is first class and the entire bus hub is really classy looking. I love the tall black "Turlock" clock. I took photos of the clock and the plaque dedicating the hub. The two colorful Turlock Regional Transit ...