Editor, Ceres Courier,
Digital nomads can work from anywhere. So, what attracts one to Ceres, then flees five years later? Allow me to enlighten you.
While overlooking Petaluma — a city that banned gas stations — and after traveling to Patagonia and across the U.S., I decided to pack my bags and leave Ceres.
Ceres attracted me for several reasons; there was talk of a train station coming, slaughterhouse and incinerator closing (or scheduled for decommission), a beautiful river, and affordability. Ceres seemed on track for positive developments, and proximity to Bay and Yosemite was bear-able. I laid roots.
Five years later, I’m leaving!
Train never came. Slaughterhouse and incinerator closed, but a vile river stench from Gilton Solid Waste Management remains. By the thousands, young and old inhale or swim in Gilton’s possible carcinogenic toxins at lower River Bluff. Whoever did Gilton’s environmental study should be jailed or investigated.
Affordability is gone because all local bills went up and sub -$500,000 homes are slim.
Ceres is now off track for positive developments. Finances are troublesome, failing to meet deadlines to determine if pipelines are carcinogenic or adequate. Leaders refuse a moratorium on gas stations or car washes — the two most damaging to our underwater aquifers and water supply in our city manual. I imagine council members refuse to do so because both are tax-cash-cows. Mooh.
The city manager quit, and the police chief dictates budget negotiations when over 60 percent of the budget already goes to police.
Worst of all, Mr. Martinez pushed for more cannabis licenses while drug-related homelessness is what plagues Ceres, in my opinion. By choosing the easiest route – to generate tax with more drugs in our community – Martinez’s revenue idea beats my craziest suggestions of a living-roof museum or international flights at Modesto airport to bring in county funds from people like me who no longer think a two-hour drive to a Bay Area, SAC or FAT international flights is bearable.
While overlooking Wapama Falls, I decided to rent my home because I undoubtedly want to retire near here. I drove to my favorite breakfast place in the area one last time: Velvet Creamery. The mayor of Modesto, Sue Zwahlen, walked in and sat next to me.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tell her to look after the river and hope it becomes as vibrant as Riverbank. Not sure if it stuck. I debated offering to pay for her coffee to make a more lasting memory, but declined at the thought of making politicians richer, so I opted to hope to make her smile in case she read this story in the newspaper.
Please advocate for our river and more trees, keep our city cool for kids and elderly to take morning and afternoon walks, more bike lanes for a more active community, and a ban on Gilton activities within city borders. May God bless the city of the deity (Ceres) and see you in retirement.
Alvaro Franco,
Ceres
LETTERS POLICY: Letters will be considered for publication but must be signed and include an address and phone number. Letters should be 250 words or less and be void of libel. Send to The Ceres Courier, P.O. Box 1958, Manteca, CA 95336 or emailed to jeffb@cerescourier.com.
