Cardoza should be thanked, not blasted
Editor, Ceres Courier,
In the Sept. 15 issue of the Courier, you and the Ceres Courier were seemingly eager to blast our congressmanm Dennis Cardoza, over the
"pork" he is bringing to our community. A crucial piece of the story was left out of the column: Our communities in the San Joaquin Valley are more deserving of federal funds than anywhere in the country.
In 2006, our bipartisan delegation from the San Joaquin Valley requested a study of the economic conditions of our region from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. In short, it verified that we are among the worst off in the nation when it comes to social-economics. Among the findings of that study:
• Every Valley county received fewer federal funds than the national per capita average or California;
• Most San Joaquin Valley counties received approximately $1,240 to $2,800 per capita less than the national rate.
• Nearly a quarter of the residents of the Valley were living at the poverty level.
In most simple terms, we are a region that sends our tax dollars to Washington only to have politicians send them elsewhere, to communities with less need - such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles. If Cardoza is, in fact, helping return some of these funds to us, we should be thanking him and proud of the work he is doing on our behalf. That is exactly why we elected him.
Ken Lane,
Vice Mayor,
City of Ceres
* * * * * * *
No change with Cannella
Editor, Ceres Courier,
It always amazes me that all of a sudden potential candidates come of the woodwork and start promising jobs left and right. Where were these jobs when the economy is not at its worst state, and the candidates had the opportunities to make a difference? Take Anthony Cannella for example. He didn't even finish what he started as a mayor of Ceres. Like his predecessor, not much has changed, if at all has anything been done during his term. Now, he's promising jobs? What makes him think that the people of the district he's vying for will vote for him? Do not these potential candidates ever learn? Perhaps to them, politics is politics, a step up towards Washington D.C. But to the the American people, it's their livelihood, their homes, their entire lives are at stake. It's like a Russian roulette, people.
Maria Olsen,
Ceres
* * * * * * *
Aquila's vote recommendations
Editor, Ceres Courier,
Here are my recommendations for the upcoming 2010 election.
Governor: Meg Whitman. I was going to give a no Recommendation. I did not like her social politics; but she did run a business while Moonbeam Brown has been a career polician. I only decided to provide my recommendation after Whitman was falsely attacked for hiring a housekeeper she got through an agency. What was she suppose to do, check her immigration status and then be accused of racial profiling?
Lieutenant Governor: No Recommendation. I can not honestly recommend Able Maldonado even though Gavin Newsome is a liberal. While Maldonado may have some differences from the Democrats, he may as well be a light version of the Democrat party. He is not a true conservative and I have decided I will not vote for him. I will be writing in Karen England
Secretary of State: Damon Dunn
State Controller: Strongly recommend Tony Strickland. I met him a couple years ago. Great guy and a true conservative.
Treasure: Mimi Walters.
Attorney General: Steve Cooley.
Insurance Commissioner: Mike Villines.
Board of Equalization (Dist 2): George Runner.
U.S. Senator: Get all your friends and family to vote for Carly Fiorina. We have to get Barbara Boxer out of office - yes maam!
Congress (18th Congressional District): Another great man in Mike Berryhill.
Assembly (26th District): Another conservative in Bill Berryhill, who has served this district well.
Judicial: (I do not have any recommendations ~EXCEPT ONE~ on these judicial nominees.)
Associate Justice: Carlos Moreno: no, no, no. Here is the man who voted to over turn Proposition 8. Urge all to vote no on him.
Superintendent of Public Schools: Larry Aceves.
State propositions:
• Prop. 19 (legalizes marijuana) - no.
• Prop. 20 (redistrict Congressional districts) - yes.
• Prop. 21 (surcharge on vehicles) - no.
• Prop. 22 (prohibits state from transfering funds) - yes.
• Prop. 23 (Stops the fake global warming laws) - yes.
• Prop. 24 (repeals tax legislation) - no.
• Prop. 25 (changes our two-thirds majority on the budget) - no.
• Prop. 26 (requires state fee increases be approved by a two-thirds vote) - yes.
• Prop. 27 (eliminates state Commission on Redistricting) - no.
These are the recommendations at this time and are subject to change. Please review for yourself.
Frank Aquila,
President,
South San Joaquin Republicans
* * * * * * *
Cite the slow drivers, too
Editor, Ceres Courier,
When did the traffic laws change in order to allow drivers to only be cited for speeding and not be cited for going considerably under the speed limit?
In addition when did turn signals become an option? I have observed too many drivers in town and in rural areas going up to half of the posted speed limit and turning with little to no warning.
In my opinion, the drivers who are driving well under the posted limit and do not use turn signals should face the same consequences as the speeders and they are just as unsafe as speeders. I have observed this as becoming a big problem because when people drive in this manner they seem to unaware of the potential traffic hazards around them and cause unneeded traffic congestion as well as posing a threat to other driver who come up on them doing the posted speed limit.
I sure hope that the traffic enforcement steps up and realizes the hazards that people create that dive in this manner and start enforcing both side of the speed limit law.
Mark Stinnett,
Ceres
* * * * * * *
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed with the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters may be sent to The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 7, Ceres, CA 95307, or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com
Editor, Ceres Courier,
In the Sept. 15 issue of the Courier, you and the Ceres Courier were seemingly eager to blast our congressmanm Dennis Cardoza, over the
"pork" he is bringing to our community. A crucial piece of the story was left out of the column: Our communities in the San Joaquin Valley are more deserving of federal funds than anywhere in the country.
In 2006, our bipartisan delegation from the San Joaquin Valley requested a study of the economic conditions of our region from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. In short, it verified that we are among the worst off in the nation when it comes to social-economics. Among the findings of that study:
• Every Valley county received fewer federal funds than the national per capita average or California;
• Most San Joaquin Valley counties received approximately $1,240 to $2,800 per capita less than the national rate.
• Nearly a quarter of the residents of the Valley were living at the poverty level.
In most simple terms, we are a region that sends our tax dollars to Washington only to have politicians send them elsewhere, to communities with less need - such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles. If Cardoza is, in fact, helping return some of these funds to us, we should be thanking him and proud of the work he is doing on our behalf. That is exactly why we elected him.
Ken Lane,
Vice Mayor,
City of Ceres
* * * * * * *
No change with Cannella
Editor, Ceres Courier,
It always amazes me that all of a sudden potential candidates come of the woodwork and start promising jobs left and right. Where were these jobs when the economy is not at its worst state, and the candidates had the opportunities to make a difference? Take Anthony Cannella for example. He didn't even finish what he started as a mayor of Ceres. Like his predecessor, not much has changed, if at all has anything been done during his term. Now, he's promising jobs? What makes him think that the people of the district he's vying for will vote for him? Do not these potential candidates ever learn? Perhaps to them, politics is politics, a step up towards Washington D.C. But to the the American people, it's their livelihood, their homes, their entire lives are at stake. It's like a Russian roulette, people.
Maria Olsen,
Ceres
* * * * * * *
Aquila's vote recommendations
Editor, Ceres Courier,
Here are my recommendations for the upcoming 2010 election.
Governor: Meg Whitman. I was going to give a no Recommendation. I did not like her social politics; but she did run a business while Moonbeam Brown has been a career polician. I only decided to provide my recommendation after Whitman was falsely attacked for hiring a housekeeper she got through an agency. What was she suppose to do, check her immigration status and then be accused of racial profiling?
Lieutenant Governor: No Recommendation. I can not honestly recommend Able Maldonado even though Gavin Newsome is a liberal. While Maldonado may have some differences from the Democrats, he may as well be a light version of the Democrat party. He is not a true conservative and I have decided I will not vote for him. I will be writing in Karen England
Secretary of State: Damon Dunn
State Controller: Strongly recommend Tony Strickland. I met him a couple years ago. Great guy and a true conservative.
Treasure: Mimi Walters.
Attorney General: Steve Cooley.
Insurance Commissioner: Mike Villines.
Board of Equalization (Dist 2): George Runner.
U.S. Senator: Get all your friends and family to vote for Carly Fiorina. We have to get Barbara Boxer out of office - yes maam!
Congress (18th Congressional District): Another great man in Mike Berryhill.
Assembly (26th District): Another conservative in Bill Berryhill, who has served this district well.
Judicial: (I do not have any recommendations ~EXCEPT ONE~ on these judicial nominees.)
Associate Justice: Carlos Moreno: no, no, no. Here is the man who voted to over turn Proposition 8. Urge all to vote no on him.
Superintendent of Public Schools: Larry Aceves.
State propositions:
• Prop. 19 (legalizes marijuana) - no.
• Prop. 20 (redistrict Congressional districts) - yes.
• Prop. 21 (surcharge on vehicles) - no.
• Prop. 22 (prohibits state from transfering funds) - yes.
• Prop. 23 (Stops the fake global warming laws) - yes.
• Prop. 24 (repeals tax legislation) - no.
• Prop. 25 (changes our two-thirds majority on the budget) - no.
• Prop. 26 (requires state fee increases be approved by a two-thirds vote) - yes.
• Prop. 27 (eliminates state Commission on Redistricting) - no.
These are the recommendations at this time and are subject to change. Please review for yourself.
Frank Aquila,
President,
South San Joaquin Republicans
* * * * * * *
Cite the slow drivers, too
Editor, Ceres Courier,
When did the traffic laws change in order to allow drivers to only be cited for speeding and not be cited for going considerably under the speed limit?
In addition when did turn signals become an option? I have observed too many drivers in town and in rural areas going up to half of the posted speed limit and turning with little to no warning.
In my opinion, the drivers who are driving well under the posted limit and do not use turn signals should face the same consequences as the speeders and they are just as unsafe as speeders. I have observed this as becoming a big problem because when people drive in this manner they seem to unaware of the potential traffic hazards around them and cause unneeded traffic congestion as well as posing a threat to other driver who come up on them doing the posted speed limit.
I sure hope that the traffic enforcement steps up and realizes the hazards that people create that dive in this manner and start enforcing both side of the speed limit law.
Mark Stinnett,
Ceres
* * * * * * *
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Letters to the editor will be considered for publication but must be signed with the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters should contain 250 words or less and be void of libelous statements. Letters may be sent to The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 7, Ceres, CA 95307, or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com
