Words Matter
Words Matter…By Carmen Sabatino
Neighborhood Watch, organized by neighbor’s, is a great benefit to the entire city. It is a concept that has been expanded and used for profit and political gain which then can be used for more profit.
It all started as a marketing tool for selling private security. Soon it became obvious that the associations could be used politically and Joe Muratore was elected to the city council with their endorsement. Another plus was that they could sell political support to the city council, and according to City council manager Greg Nyhoff obtain “special access” to the city. This access was purchased by tax dollars which eventually amounts to millions.
Mike Moradian no longer uses the word “association”. The California Secretary of State report says that the La Loma Neighborhood Association has lost it’s non-profit status and Moradian has never explained his tax problems. Councilman Muratore said that the La Loma Neighborhood Association has been put under the umbrella of the Stanislaus County Community Foundation.
Moradisn and Muratore became mentors to Todd Aaronson in the organizing of the College Area Neighborhood Association. Once again, with your tax dollars, the College Area Neighborhood Association did not apply as a non-profit so they could engage in politics.
It appears that the associations might be too cumbersome. “MODESTO NEIGHBORHOODS” is being organized as the umbrella organization to centralize operations.
As we all know by now, because of the SCAP scandal, non-profits can be created by those who want to make a profit at taxpayers expense.
Bee editor Mark Vasche’s son-in-law, Scott Monday, is involved with Joe Muratore, and Ryan Swelha. In the interest of “objectivity” Vasche has announced he will not participate in Bee reporting. Most probably, we won’t be hearing much, but we will fill in the gaps.
The following is the Moradian e-mail.
Tomorrow: College Area has hired its own police force
From: Michael Moradian….La Loma Neighborhood
- news@voiceofmo
- · Hello everyone,
- · I took a few days hiatus to studying and taking a test, I am back now…
- · Based on our meeting last Friday we discussed how Modesto Neighborhoods would be setup to support neighborhood strength and vitality in Modesto CA…
- · · The board for Modesto Neighborhoods will be at least one person from each established steering team (for now were trying to get two people from each steering team until we have too many, then we can limit to one person)
- · · The purpose of the 501c3 is help with neighborhoods in Modesto create and maintain safe, clean and beautiful neighborhoods.
- · o Trees are an important part of our neighborhoods but there is no current funding to keep this up
- · o Neighborhood Watch and safety
- · o Public Improvements for safety and maintenance
- · o Partner with City of Modesto and Stanislaus County
- · · Grant funding securing and writing
- · · Training for Neighborhood Steering teams
- · o We are looking at once a year having an event
- · § Training new steering team responsibilities (Leader, vice leader, secretary, treasurer)
- · § Best practices and improvements between established neighborhoods
- · § Dialog with city/county on improvements/successes
- · Dave Gianelli has offered to help us complete the filing but he needs our help
- · · create a Narrative of what this 501c3 will do – assigned to Susan and Terhesa
- · · create a 3 year financial statement for projected expenses and income - Michael O’Connor
- · · Complete the paper work on IRS form 1023 – Michael Moradian
- · · Michael O’Connar also was going to look up other 501c3’s to see if we had sample to work from
- · I attached the 1023 forms we will be filling out and the instructions to complete the forms…
- · We are schedule to meet at my office 3:30-5:30 Friday September 2nd.
- · Thank you,
- · Michael Moradian
- · La Loma Neighborhood
