2,400-home River Walk proposal is the definition of urban sprawl | Letters to the editor

Bad move

“Low-income Californians could get $27K to buy an EV. But it’s not easy money,” (modbee.com, Feb. 27)

Beginning in 2030, you will no longer be able to purchase natural gas appliances. No more gas stoves, gas driers, propane-powered generators, barbecues, forklifts, water heaters, air conditioners and home-heating systems. Can’t you see the upper crust of PG&E rubbing their hands together? Imagining the wealth headed their way, big smiles on their greedy little beaks. Thank you, Gov. Newsom.

Beginning in 2030, you will no longer be able to purchase gasoline-powered vehicles and toys. This includes lawn mowers, chainsaws, passenger cars and trucks, big rigs, ships, planes and trains. Seven years to fix and improve our antiquated power grid. Twelve million new California electric vehicle customers burdening the grid, all of us forced to drop natural gas-powered appliances. More smiles from PG&E and the 1%.

The Titanic is sinking. China and India are still playing shuffleboard on deck, and California is in the hold with a teaspoon, bailing like crazy.

Rick Kimble

Riverbank

Urban sprawl

“Riverbank proposes to add 2400 homes out to McHenry Ave,” (modbee.com, June 21)

Like many other residents, I have concerns regarding Riverbank’s proposal for 2,400 homes, along with businesses and parks, on farmland to the west of town. Those concerned with this project, called River Walk, point out that the land proposed for urbanization is at the top tier of quality of soils in the world and has available water. Does it make sense to pave over one of the best soils and water recharge areas when there is other land available?

This project is the definition of urban sprawl.

In addition, River Walk looks to be designed to attract wealthy, older individuals, many from the Bay Area. Is this really the type of housing Stanislaus County needs? Both the Farmland Working Group and Sierra Club oppose this project. To this end, a group of concerned citizens will be canvassing Riverbank residents with an urban limits initiative.

This measure would require voter approval of River Walk and most other future development west of the current Riverbank city limit. With 1,280 signatures, we can put it on the 2024 ballot.

Citizens can also attend Riverbank City Council meetings the second Tuesday of each month, and contact Donna Kenney, the Riverbank planning manager, at dkenney@riverbank.org to voice their concerns.

Kent Mitchell

Riverbank

Opinion

Good move by Biden

“The US will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine,” (modbee.com, July 7)

President Biden has made the right call sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

The invading Russians have had as long as six months to prepare for the anticipated offensive by Ukraine. Russia has laid down mine fields, built vehicle barricades, including anti-tank blocking fields. Even destruction of the dam to channel the coming attack is part of the Russian plan. The most important part of defensive construction is massive trenches. All of the blocking construction has to be covered by infantry firing at Ukrainians attempting to breach the blocking mines and traps.

However, when Ukraine has cluster bombs to drop into the trenches Russia has created, it will do a lot to level the battlefield. Laying down a pattern of cluster bombs on the trenches will be devastating. Even the ones that do not detonate upon impact will have an effect. After taking cover from an attack in a bunker then coming out only to set off a dud is a morale crusher.

Ukraine has been slow to gain ground back. The arrival of cluster bombs will do a lot to help defeat formidable defensive construction by Russia.

Bill Wood

Oakdale

Why would Dems do this?

“California’s Democrat leaders should be embarrassed with vote on minor sex trafficking | Opinion,” (modbee.com, July 13)

In April, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 14 on a bipartisan vote. The bill called for human trafficking of a minor child to be classified as a major felony.

On July 11, the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 6-1 against passing this bill out of committee to the full Assembly. All six Democrats on the committee voted against passage, while the one Republican in attendance voted yes. They did agree that the bill could be brought up again next year.

Wow!

So minor children can continue to be trafficked here in California for at least one more year with no major consequence. How sick can is that? There were victims in the audience who screamed to the committee and broke into sobs. How can those six Democrats sleep at night? It’s absolutely stunning.

Ray Walker

Turlock

Support your local school

“Modesto JC announces ‘dramatic’ progress to bring college classes to local high schools,” (modbee.com, Feb. 15)

I have been reading with interest the stories, opinions and letters about school choice. As a former teacher, I would like to share my opinion about expanding school choice. First, it takes money away from the public school system, which is the foundation of our democracy. We need teachers, supplies and services for a wider range of students, and this requires funding.

Second, parents can choose a school, but the schools can also choose their students. They can select students without any learning or behavior difficulties; choose curriculum that won’t help your child survive advanced training; and choose to hire unqualified teachers and pay them less.

As Americans, we compare ourselves to schools around the world. In many of the places I’ve visited, schools are free through college, students are required to attend school and teachers are paid well and given individual teaching autonomy. Yes, we lost a year of school with COVID, but everyone lost a year. Move on. Choose your local school and support it!

Marsha Memmott

Turlock

Loan forgiveness is fair

“Biden offers new student debt relief plan,” (modbee.com, July 1)

I can understand the anger of some who object to forgiving loans for college students. But I look at it this way: During Trump’s reign, Republicans cut taxes on corporations and the extremely wealthy. These large corporations did not pass their savings onto us, nor were these savings donated to charity to help the needy.

Instead, large corporations took their excess profits and and used the money for stock buybacks, a use of the money that only helped stockholders, not the economy. Do you like subsidizing the wealthy?

Additionally, think about people who have no children. They pay taxes which are used for schools and state colleges. Some of these students with loans come from Modesto families. A small loam forgiveness may get them closer to more completely participating in the economy, which I think is a much better use of money than putting it in Trump’s bank account.

James Peck

Modesto