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Our vigilante past
While today’s criminal justice system can, at times, seem to favor the guilty and punish the innocent, all one needs to do to get the proper perspective is read the history page published every Saturday in the Journal.




A delicious heat wave
My 84-year old mother bent over the cookbook one day recently and read aloud to me as I wolfed down a chicken sandwich I'd made at lunchtime. The reading was a lesson in how to make a traditional — and very fine as it turned out — pork roast.




Vaccination articles are a benefit to the community
David Dubyak accused the Turlock Journal of rubberstamping the flu shot recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health in his recent letter to the editor. I have been reading the series of science related articles, published on Saturdays, and authored by Dr. E. Kirsten Peters in your editorial page. I suspect, based on your inclusion of these articles, that your action was an intelligent choice, rather than a rubberstamp.




A shadow for debate
I’ll be the first to admit that I do my best to avoid national news, despite being absolutely fascinated by the intricate politicking that goes on in Washington.




University misrepresents faculty workload
As a faculty member in the Chemistry department at Cal State Stanislaus, I will miss teaching Winter term. Over the last 16 years, I have taught 14 winter term classes, including Wine Making, Environmental Chemistry and the Chemicals in Your Life. One very large point of misinformation presented by Provost Lujan must be clarified. In his letter to the editor, he stated “Faculty are not required to teach during Winter Term even though they are ...




Vaccines are not the answer
Dear Editor, The Journal’s flu shot/flu season article is a rubber stamp from the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, which is rerun every year. In 2005, the NIH concluded that the influenza vaccine has not produced any “measurable declining in mortality rates in any age group.” This, despite the increase in flu vaccine coverage from just 20 percent in 1980, to 65 percent in 2001. This same year, Canada spent ...




Getting an education almost out of reach
I am a strong believer in going to college and getting a degree. It is essential to progress in a professional career and most companies require a bachelor’s degree at minimum. But with the increased tuition prices, it is making a bachelor’s degree almost unattainable let alone getting a master’s degree or a doctorate.




Water package is more litigation, less irrigation
Last week, the California Legislature passed a water package that many lawmakers are lauding as the solution to our state’s problems.  What this dysfunctional legislature really passed is three more layers of unneeded bureaucracy along with a bond that will not create a drop of water for at least 15 years — if at all.




We need affordable health care
First, I want to profoundly thank Representative Dennis Cordoza for standing up and voting for affordable health care.




Dr. Lujan owes the faculty and the community an apology
This letter responds in part to CSU Interim Provost Herman Lujan’s editorial in the Turlock Journal concerning the abolition of Winter Term. If the Interim Provost has a compelling argument why does he lead with an argument that is incorrect? He says: “Replacing Winter Term with a self-support inter-session and expanding the fall and spring semesters to 15 weeks means that professors will now be held accountable for teaching a full load.”




A decision for change
Turlock voters made a statement on Tuesday: They want change. And change they will have, as it looks as if almost half of the Turlock Unified School District Board of Trustees will be replaced. There are 13,000 to 15,000 mail-in ballots that still have to be counted and could potential change the election results, but I doubt it. I must admit that I was a little shocked at the outcome of Tuesday’s TUSD board election. ...




Provost’s statement is misleading
Interim Provost Herman Lujan misleads and misinforms the public regarding the responsibilities of faculty at CSU Stanislaus and libels the dedicated professional faculty members that he was appointed to lead. His statement in a Nov. 4 letter to the editor printed in the Journal that CSU Stanislaus faculty members work less than their colleagues at other CSU campuses is patently false. The terms and conditions of faculty employment throughout the California State University are spelled ...




‘Hard Candy Christmas’
The countdown has begun. There are only 51 days until Christmas. “Christmas,” you say, “How can that be? It seems like just last week I was sweltering in Indian summer heat.” I know what you mean. How can it possibly be time to bring out the holly and tinsel again when I haven’t even had time to put away my summer clothes? On top of the seemingly supersonic season changes, finding the extra money for ...




Ending Winter Term makes sense financially and academically
As the State Legislature’s funding support for public higher education rapidly declines, the California State University system has been faced with unprecedented budget cuts that have had a major impact on all 23 CSU campuses.   




What would you do if...
I like to think of Turlock as a caring community. There are dozens of service clubs, places of worship and volunteers who give of their time and money all year long to make our town a little bit nicer place to live. But I’m sure that the majority of people living in Richmond, Calif. also thought they lived in a caring community — until last Saturday that is. The Contra Costa Times reported that up ...




Students would not be served best by inter-session
In reference to your recent article concerning the abolition of Winter Term at CSU Stanislaus, as chair of the faculty committee that investigated the President’s proposal that Winter Term be eliminated I would like to offer the following points for your readers’ information.




Bernard right fit for TUSD
I am writing this letter to show my support for Turlock Unified School District Board candidate Josh Bernard. Over the years working with Josh I have witnessed characteristics that I feel are ideally suited for a TUSD Board trustee. Characteristics such as honesty, patience, and dependability are only a few of the traits I see Josh demonstrate on a regular basis.   




Weaver best choice for school board
I am writing this letter in support of Bob Weaver, candidate for the Turlock Unified School District. I have known Bob for the past fifteen years and have found him to be a bright, hard -working, community- oriented, individual. He has three sons in school so it is of the utmost importance to Bob to see that they receive the best education possible.




LaVelle, incumbents proven leaders
Timm LaVelle and the two other incumbent board members of the Turlock Unified School District have clearly demonstrated why they should be re-elected. Mr. LaVelle has consistently treated those who have appeared before the board with the courtesy and respect they deserve. Under his stewardship, the TUSD board has met the recent budget crisis and other challenges with thoughtful resolve and a reassuring unity characteristic of highly functioning organizations. Under Mr. LaVelle’s leadership, the board ...




Support for Sweeten
Support for Sweeten The Turlock Irrigation District is a producer of power for close to a hundred thousand consumers, as well as the supplier of irrigation water. We would urge voters in the upcoming election to look beyond those who would serve a few large farms at the expense of the general public. We urge TID customers in District 5 to cast their vote for Pamela Sweeten. Read both candidates’ bios and look at supporters ...




Medical marijuana misconceptions debated
In keeping with a newspaper’s commitment to accuracy, I want to point out errors and oversights in articles published in many newspapers across the country, regarding the Federal Governments recent guidelines on “medical marijuana” users.




City needs to address road woes
City needs to address road woes What has happened to this wonderful city? The roads and streets have become deplorable. Stevie Wonder could drive by Braille on most of them — East Avenue, South Golden State Boulevard, West Hawkeye, all of West Main, North Geer, and Canal, just to name a few. Where is the leadership to address and correct these major problems that has angered Turlock citizens and created disgust from visitors? Why can’t ...




Incumbents for School Board
Incumbents for School Board The upcoming School Board election arrives in a time of financial crisis for our state and nation. Locally, deciding who will be our decision makers for our school system will affect our children’s lives for years to come. Should we vote in untried newcomers who feel a need to help or should we stick with proven leaders who have repeatedly shown us the success we need in these troubled times? The ...




Geek love for the Nook
I have to admit it, Journal readers. I’m in love. It all has something to do with the curve of its turn page button, I think. But perhaps I should back up a bit. I remember the day it happened quite clearly. It was a Tuesday. This Tuesday, actually. I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when a chime sounded and a breaking news story popped up in my RSS reader. Barnes ...







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