Articles by Date

  • Kristin Olsen teaches disrespect for the Law
    Sat, 2013-05-18 13:00

    Bee Investigator: Keeping up with cart theft in Modesto isn't easy By Sue Nowicki snowicki@modbee.com Monday, May. 13, 2013 Monday, May. 13, 2013 By Sue Nowicki MODESTO --

    If you've lived in Modesto for long, you've probably noticed shopping carts left everywhere — in parks, on sidewalks, in neighborhoods — as well as those containing the worldly belongings of many homeless folks.Jim Standart of Modesto wrote to ask why, if Modesto has an ordinance against stealing and abandoning the carts, so many turn up on bike paths and elsewhere."If the ordinance is unenforceable, then take it off the books," he said.

    Read more here: http://www.modbee.com/2013/05/13/2712572/keeping-up-with-cart-theft-isnt...

    The question is why did City Councilwoman Kristen Olsen put the ordinance on the books in the first place? Along with the dumpster diving ordinance it was bad legislation but good politics. Everyone wants clean city. The ordinances were a bad idea and dealt with a problem that was being taken care of by the private sector.

  • Setting Bee Straight on Mike Moradian
    Thu, 2012-12-13 19:15

     

    SETTING BEE STRAIGHT ON MIKE MORADIAN
    By Carmen Sabatino 
     
    As you read the following, realize that Bee Editor Judy Sly sees "nothing wrong" with corruption. For Sly civility is a way to hide the truth at the expense of her credibility. 
     
    The following responses to the Bee article are not allowed to be printed in the Bee.  This censorship and limitation to free speech can be corrected when you share this e-mail with everyone on your list.   mailto:news@voiceofmodesto.com
     
    Local Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012
    La Loma neighborhood group leader resigns
    Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 
    Bee Staff Reports The Modesto Bee 
     
    "Mike Moradian, who resurrected the La Loma Neighborhood Association seven years ago and spearheaded a host of neighborhood projects, is resigning."
  • The SCAP & NSP Players
    Wed, 2012-11-28 21:13

     

    The Fight For Water: Showing at Modesto State Theatre
    Thurs. Nov. 29 at 7pm
    (NR) 1 Hr. 19 Min. (Blu-ray) In English
    Tickets: $6: Buy Online: http://www.thestate.org/
     
    Set during the California Water Crisis of 2009, The Fight for Water highlights the human impact an environmental decision had on a farming community when their water supply was shut off.  One California Central Valley filmmaker, who happened to reside in the impacted part of the valley, set out to film this impact and document a historic water march that took farmers and farm workers, along with a coalition of supporters (lead by Hollywood comedian turned water activist, Paul Rodriguez), across the heart of the California Central Valley--on a four-day, 50-mile walk--to demand that their water supply be turned back on, because to them and their families, water is not only their means of survival, it is a chance of a better future...  and for the very future of California.

     

     Malcolm Media, Keep California Farming and Vision Magazine said, "This is an urgent movieto watch!", "This an important film to see!" and "This is compelling!"   It is an emotional film, with emotions running deep from the very people who were hurting the most.  Patrick Cavanaugh of AgNet West Radio stated, "You would never think this could happen in America today!"  Juan Carlos Oseguera, a Modesto Junior College graduate and San Francisco State film alumni, is the filmmaker behind the compelling historical film.  He has partnered with the California Farm Water Coalition, the California Poultry Federation, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, Mape's Ranch and others from the community to make this a premiere screening in Modesto.  You are welcome to attend and meet the filmmaker.  Various people who were featured in the film will be in attendance as well. 
  • Stanislaus Taxpayer Association, and the price of a gallon of water.
    Wed, 2012-11-28 20:53

     

    Stanislaus Taxpayer Association, and the price of a gallon of water.
    By Carmen Sabatino
     
    MID Director Glen Wild nominated the Stanislaus Taxpayer Association to be a member of the Water Advisory Committee.
     
    The MID is $1.3 billion in debt, loses $85 million on the Gerry Kamilos Mountain House project, loses $90 million on a failed water treatment plant, hands over $1.2 million in a settlement with Steven Endsley to avoid litigation, spends at least $600,000 on a political campaign to convince us that selling the water is a good idea, continues to tell the big lie that we need $115 million to repair canals and other infrastructure, and after five years still have not found money for their employees.
     
    There is more than this to talk about but Dave Thomas and the "Stanislaus Taxpayer Association" still after much effort, have not found out the price of a gallon of water to justify rate hikes. Of course, when we sell the water the division will be easier.

     

    Below is a June 21, 2011 reply to an article written by Carmen Sabatino which follows below the Thomas reply.
     
    From:Dave Thomas [mailto:dave@therisktaker.com]
    Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 8:28 PM
    To: Emerson Drake
    Subject: True-False test for Dave Thomas
     
  • San Joaquin Tributaries Authority was created by Allen Short for his retirement
    Wed, 2012-11-28 20:49
     San Joaquin Tributaries Authority was created by Allen Short for his retirement
     
    By Carmen Sabatino
    May 15th was the first official gathering in Turlock, the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority adopted its bylaws, elected officers, and discussed goals for the coming year. The joint powers member agencies include the Modesto, Turlock, Oakdale, Merced, South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts, and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Remember them, the SFPUC gave up the effort to buy our water for $700 an acre foot.
     
    Allen Short, general manager of the Modesto irrigation district, was appointed as the executive director of the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority at its meeting. Joe Alamo of Turlock Irrigation District was elected chairman and Ralph Roos of South San Joaquin Irrigation District was elected vice-chairman.
    Garth Stapley of the Modesto Bee reported that, "Departing MID general manager finds new work", and yet says that Short has been leading the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority since it was created in May.
     
    Doug Elmets of Elmets communications who is paid $100,000 a year by the SJTA says Shorts hiring merely formalized the arrangement.

     The Modesto Irrigation District and the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority are clients of Elmets Communication. It is not known what the MID has spent with Elmets for providing, "innovated public relations solutions, bringing clients added strategies and media relations, crisis communications, political analysis, and government relations. How much work has the MID bought from Elmets Communication.

    Short's annual pay at the MID is $240,000. It is estimated he will be paid $195,000 in his new position with the Authority. The MID's contribution to pay for his new position could be $35,000.
     
    Each of the six district members of the S JTA contribute $225,000 a year for its support. The budget for the Authority would include the pay for former MID attorney Tim O'Laughlin, Elmets Communications, as well as Allen Short.
     
  • Bee Fails on Water story, Blames MID
    Wed, 2012-11-28 20:22

     

    The creation of committee's to help identify problems and find solutions is a good idea, but when they are organized to talk problems to death and provide political cover for leaders who are responsible for the scandals we have ignored.
     
    MID director Glen Wild has called for a taxpayer association to be part of the MID committee 
     
    Dave Thomas used the name, Stanislaus Taxpayers Association, and called for the defeat of Modesto City Schools board members
     
    The Modesto City Schools maybe worthy of criticism but not by the Building Industry Association, Dave Thomas, Steve Madison, Mike Zagaris, George Petrulakis, and Dave Cogdill Jr. or Sr.

     

    The attack on the schools is a distraction from the Village I debacle where  Modesto lost millions in infrastructure fees to the developers, because they controlled the city council.  It was the developers who used Mello-Roos to postpone taxes so that they could sell homes at a higher profit.
     
    It wasn’t the schools who demanded more classrooms, although that meant more teachers and administrators.  It was the developers who demanded classrooms for the students that were about to arrive. It didn’t happen.  An entire infrastructure was planned and created to accommodate the developer promised "growth" that didn't happen.  

     

  • MARK VASCHE SAYS, "BEE IS CONFUSED, CONFLICTED, AND CONCERNED"
    Wed, 2012-11-28 18:46

     

    MARK VASCHE SAYS, "BEE IS CONFUSED, CONFLICTED, AND CONCERNED"
    By Carmen Sabatino
     
    Bee editor Judy Sly would have preferred to have the water sale to the San Francisco Public Utility Commission finalized as a "consent item" on an MID agenda.
     
    Sly's loss has cost the Bee credibility and she will not be able to hide the decisions in which she has participated.
     
    Tuesday, Nov. 06, 2012
     
    Consultant's deal sparks Modesto Irrigation District board strife
    By Garth Stapley
     
    Garth Stapley says, A consultant with a rich political pedigree earned $15,000 trying to help warring Modesto Irrigation District leaders get along with one another — without some of the board members' knowledge or approval, they say.
     

     Former Modesto Mayor Carol Whiteside's deal was concealed from three board members, they said in open session Tuesday, apparently because the other two and outgoing General Manager Allen Short arranged for her to be paid through a second vendor.

  • DIRECTORS MIGHT GET ACCESS TO DISTRICT FILES
    Tue, 2012-11-06 18:20

     Directors might get access to district and MID building

    Tom Van Groningen, President Div. 3
    Glen Wild, Vice President Div. 2
    Paul Warda Div. 4
    Nick Blom Div. 5
    Larry Byrd Div. 1
     
    MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    MODESTO IRRIGATION DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
    1231 Eleventh Street
    Special Meeting, November 6, 2012
    Open Session 9:00 A.M. 
     
    AGENDA ITEMS
    Tab
    No.
    CALL TO ORDER
    ROLL CALL
    The public is also welcome to comment on matters which are not on
    the agenda when the President calls for “Public Input for the Good of
    the District.” This time is provided for the public to introduce any
    topic within the District’s jurisdiction. Because these are nonagenda
    matters, generally no discussion or comment by the Board
    should be expected except to properly refer the matter for review as
    appropriate, but no action will be taken at this meeting.
     

  • SLY ADVISES MID ON BEE BUSINESS MODEL
    Tue, 2012-11-06 18:12
     SLY ADVISES MID USING BEE BUSINESS MODEL
    By  Carmen Sabatino
     
    A little advice for the MID
    By Eric Johnston, Joseph Kieta, and Judy Sly www.modbee.com/2012/11/03/2441348/a-little-advice-for-the-mid.html#storylink=cpy 
     
    Are you kidding me?  Does Sly forget what the Bee once was, and what it is today under her leadership, and that of former Editor Mark Vasche, and Publisher Lynn Dickerson?
     
    Judy Sly is part and parcel of MID's slide to the bottom.  Your electric rates are high and Sly shares the blame, by not holding MID leadership accountable, and failing to reveal relevant facts.
     
    Bee editor Judy Sly has used the newspaper to lobby for all the actions which have led to a greater MID decline than the Modesto Bee.  Now she attempts to give advice to the MID by covering up for the mismanagement, malfeasance, and misappropriations that she failed to disclose.
     
  • SHORT TERM PLAN FOR MID DAMAGE CONTROL
    Tue, 2012-11-06 18:07
    SHORT TERM PLAN FOR MID DAMAGE CONTROL
    By Carmen Sabatino
     
    • At the October 30th MID meeting Director Paul Warda asked staff to organize a workshop on the "falling water charge".  
    • Warda estimated that it would take two weeks to organize the workshop and invite the public to attend.
    • Staff said it could be possible but there was another issue on the calendar that was being worked on. 
    • Early December for the workshop was proposed.
    • At this point GM Allen Short jumped into the conversation saying that because of the holidays January would be better.