Josh Harder is a tough competitor for Congressional District 10; The drive to defeat Denham is underway.

Josh Harder, (D), candidate for California's Congressional District 10 seat, which currently is held by GOP Congressman Jeff Denham, is a well-educated young man who has dedicated his life to serving others. In addition to serving as a management consultant to the Boston Consulting Group, Josh, who originally is from Turlock, has volunteered as an organizer of small farmers in Kenya and Uganda. The objective of that program, which was run through the Gates Foundation, was to enable farmers to produce more abundant and robust crop yields. Josh, who studied at Harvard Business and Kennedy School's MBA/MPP joint doctoral program, took an unpaid leave of absence from his career to help that objective come to fruition, and it did. 

Josh's top priorities

The following are Josh's top priorities as a candidate for Congress:

Healthcare: Josh is vehemently opposed to the Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. As Josh sees it, every American is entitled to affordable, sufficient  and superior quality medical coverage. Nobody should be labored with premiums, shares of cost or medical expenses that they cannot afford. In addition, nobody should lose their medical care if they lose their job and/or become poor, disabled or elderly. Jeff Denham has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and he voted for the GOP's latest tax bill that totally eradicates the main tenets of the Affordable Care Act. When Josh is elected to Congress, he will fight to save the Affordable Care Act and to protect all the citizens of CD 10 that it covers.  He also will work hard to protect Medicare and to keep America's promise to take care of the medical needs of the elderly. And nobody will be left hanging without adequate medical care.

Medicaid: Unlike Denham, Josh does not support depleting medical care for the medically indigent. Josh realizes that such individuals deserve adequate medical care as do all Americans. LIke John F. Kennedy, Josh Harder realizes that the cost to any society that does not help the poor and indigent is greater than is the cost of helping them. Denham's vote stuffs the pockets of the rich who are paying for his re-election campaign.

The Dreamers and Immigration: Josh supports the Dreamers and their goal of becoming self-sufficient citizens and participants in the American Dream. He totally rejects Trump's efforts to deport the Dreamers, or to deny immigrants entry to the United States. Josh will not say "No" tens of thousands on Dreamers and undocumented immigrants in California. He realizes that the United States is a nation of immigrants and that it was the immigrants who made our country great. Unlike Denham, Josh sees Dreamers and immigrants as an intrinsically valuable resource to our country.

Jobs: Josh is aware of the fact that the Valley must attract major employers who pay well and provide good medical, dental and vision coverage for their employees. Josh will work hard with local city councils to attract major employers to CD 10. He also will work with job developers and with programs designed to train and mobilize manpower. Josh believes in the citizens of CD 10 and 15 to 20 percent unemployment is not acceptable to him. He will work hard so that you always work! 

100% Renewable energy: Josh fully supports The Sanders-Merkley Bill that calls for 100% renewable energy by the year 2050. Unlike Denham, Josh acknowledges the profuse existence of Global Warming and the dangers that it presents. In response to such awareness, Josh is one sensational advocate for the environment. His advocacy for the Sanders-Merkley Bill is a very positive outgrowth of this advocacy.

In conclusion….

In conclusion, it is this observer's very strong recommendation that the civic-minded, honest and hard-working citizens of California's CD 10 vote for and support Josh Harder. Let's send Jeff
Denham home and send the best qualified Congressional candidate in the entire region Josh Harder, to Washington, D.C. to protect all of us from the wanton greed of a few self-serving rich people.

Josh Harder for CD 10! A true winner for real people!!!





  

Honolulu medical marijuana users have 30 days to turn in their guns amid safety concerns

Citizens of  Honolulu, Hawaii who have medical marijuana permits have 30 days to turn in their weapons. The Honolulu law is an outgrowth from a 2016 ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. In that ruling, the Court stated that it is not an infringement on a person's Second Amendment rights for them to be prohibited from purchasing guns so long as they are taking prescribed medical marijuana.

Safety concerns

The Honolulu law is being fueled by safety concerns. As medical professionals see it, the consumption of marijuana affects people's judgment and "mental status," and can lead to "irrational or unpredictable behavior." The concern is that such users are not responsible when using firearms and that the results may very well be deadly. After the City of Honolulu implemented the "no gun" law for medical marijuana users, the law was challenged by advocates for the Second Amendment. It was then that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made the aforementioned ruling.

Letter to medical marijuana users

The Honolulu Star Advertiser disclosed that on November 13, a letter was sent out to all registered users of medical marijuana. That letter emphatically stated: “Your medical marijuana use disqualifies you from ownership of firearms and ammunition." The letter was signed by the Chief of Police, Susan Ballard.

Federal law supersedes state laws

Even though medical marijuana is allowed under Hawaii law, it still is illegal under federal law. Mindful of that, the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency), wrote an open letter to all holders of firearms licenses in the United States, stating: "Any person who uses or is addicted to marijuana, is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms of ammunition." Federal law supersedes state law. As the City of Honolulu sees it, the 2011 letter from the ATF,  plus the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' November 13 ruling, both justify its firearms bans for those who are registered marijuana users.

Ramifications for other states and cities

It is unknown at this time if the ATF will be enforcing federal laws on marijuana usage in other states and cities nationwide. Most likely, the implementation of federal law in Honolulu will suffice as a test case for the rest of the nation. And the ATF, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and politicians, including city mayors, all will be watching.

Modesto City Council members should not get an extra year; We voted for four years, not five years.

The Modesto City Council voted on Tuesday, 4 to 3, to extend their terms one more year to comply with the California Voters Participation Rights Act. Under that act, the City of Modesto is required to conduct its elections on even numbered years instead of odd numbered years. The objective of the act was to increase voter participation, which has been measurably low in recent years during Modesto's odd numbered elections. As a rule, participation by voters is much higher in even numbered years because those are the years that we elect the President, the Governor and members of Congress and U.S. Senate.

Deadline in 2018

The City of Modesto has until January 1, 2018 to submit its plan for complying to the Voters Rights Act. The vote taken by the Council on Tuesday is not final. The Council has to take another vote on the matter in December, and the measure that they approve has to go to the voters in November 2018 for their approval or rejection.

Who voted for the additional year

The following members voted to extend Council member terms one more year: Kristi Ah You, Tony Madrigal, Mani Grewal and Mayor Ted Brandvold. Under the terms of that vote, Tony Madrigal, Jenny Kenoyer and  Bill Zoslocki would have an additional year in office. Of those three members, only one, Tony Madrigal, voted to extend their term by one year. Madrigal, Zoslocki and Kenoyer were just reelected in November 2017. My hat goes off to Zoslocki and Kenoyer for putting democracy ahead of personal interests and not voting to extend their terms by one additional year.

Another plan being discussed

Another plan being discussed by Council members would shorten members' terms of office by one year. Under that plan, members who are reelected to the City Council in 2019 would lose one year of their four year terms. Members affected by that plan would be: Douglas Ridenour, Mani Grewal, Kristi Ah You and Mayor Ted Brandvold.

Side with democracy, not extended terms

As this observer sees it, one must favor democracy, not extended terms, when considering these proposed measures. When the citizens of Modesto voted in 2017, they elected their members for one four year term. Adding one more year to terms of members who were elected to four year terms gives those members one free, "unelected" year of office. This is an affront to democracy. If a choice concerning democracy needs to be made, it should be weighed in favor of democracy, not detract from it. Giving Council members one more year of office, for which they do not have to be elected, simply does not taste right.

How about a special election?

Another possibility that has not been discussed is holding a special election in 2021 when the terms of those elected in 2017 will be over. The election only would pertain to one additional year of service for Madrigal, Kenoyer and Zoslocki, or a one year term for those elected to replace them. Of course, the special election would be costly, but having members serve for one additional year for which they were not elected, would be costly to our democracy. One should always weigh in favor of democracy when considering things as important as "the Will of the People."

Stanislaus County planners grapple with granting permits to cannabis retailers; Safety concerns mount as deadline nears.

Stanislaus County planners  are grappling with granting permits to cannabis retailers and related businesses. Concerns over allowing cannabis retailers in shopping malls, near schools, or in other "high-profile" areas, are escalating. Several Stanislaus County cities have chosen to ban weed shops altogether within their city limits and their spheres of influence. Those cities include Turlock, Hughson, Waterford and Newman. Other county cities, including Modesto, Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale and Patterson, have decided to allow legal cannabis retailers and to regulate and tax them. The County Planners must decide on all these issues and more by the date on which cannabis retailing, cultivation, manufacturing and testing become legal in California, which is January 1, 2018.

Measure T

Voters in Modesto recently passed Measure T which allows for a tax to be levied on recreational marijuana sales. The revenue from the 10% tax will be used to fund a variety of City services. Modesto, like Stockton, has been dealing with major financial issues. The tax revenue, although not a "cure all" or instant remedy for these financial issues, will help the City pay at least some of its bills.

Fear of armed robberies

Commissioner Scott Hicks expressed his concerns that the cannabis shops could be targets of armed robberies. As he described it, it is a "disaster waiting to happen." Other concerns pertain to types of businesses that should not be near cannabis shops, such as gun shops, gymnastic centers for youths, or motorcycle clubs.

Over 200 applications countywide

Throughout the county, 263 applications for marijuana related businesses have been received. Those applications include 37 for cannabis retail outlets, 170 for cultivation, 24 for distribution, 32 for manufacturing and two for testing labs.

Loss of property values

Some of those who object to the cannabis shops in Stanislaus County have expressed concerns that the cannabis retailers and related businesses will cause their property values to decline. Those objecting to the marijuana businesses have cited the various problems that methadone treatment facilities have caused in some communities, mainly emanating from those who "hang out" in and around the facilities. As the objectors see it, the cannabis retailers and related businesses will cause home buyers to look "elsewhere" for new homes, thus causing their property values to plummet rapidly.  

Modesto's starving homeless speak at the City Council meeting: One disgraceful tragedy

This observer attended the Modesto City Council meeting on Tuesday, 11/14/17. What unfolded before my eyes was a human tragedy in progress and getting worse. During the public comment period, a homeless mother of 12 children came with her children to speak to the City Council. She stated that she is distraught over the lack of services for herself, her family and other homeless people in Modesto.

Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvoid asked one of the City staff personnel to talk with the woman and get her information. He also asked the staff member to inform the woman of the services that are available for her and her family. The outcome of her meeting with the City staffer is unknown.

Another woman came up to the lectern with a female companion. She talked about a particular apartment complex in the West part of the city where the managers have become very predatory towards senior citizens. She said that the managers have raised the rent drastically, and have begun evicting very elderly seniors who have lived there in excess of 10 to 15 years or more. She stated that the residents, some of whom are disabled and in wheelchairs, have become homeless and have nowhere to go. Councilwoman Kristi Ah You asked the woman to give her contact information to the City Clerk so that she can contact her after looking into the matter. This observer will be watching over the next few weeks to see if the woman's requests for help are addressed.

Another citizen, Sebastian Jones, made an impressive and impassioned plea for assistance for about five or six disabled and elderly individuals who also have been thrown out of the same apartment complex. Jones, who is a public-spirited citizen who often speaks to the City Council, got emotional and with a choked up voice, he begged the Council to help those people. Jones stated emphatically, "Please help these people!!!"

Jones got not response from the Council whatsoever, except a rejection from Mayor Brandvoid of his plea for an additional two minutes to speak because he is disabled himself. Mr. Jones left the lectern and not one council member said anything in response to his helpless plea for help from a stone-silent City Council. Their silence was deafening but it said it all.

One disgraceful tragedy: Whose fault is it?

 

The tragedy of homelessness in Modesto did not happen accidentally. It is the result of a number of factors, some of which emanate from other places besides Modesto. On the federal level, it is the result of decades of a bad economy in the United States, coupled with outsourcing by major employers who once paid good wages. When those companies left town, so did their jobs. The Hershey Plant in nearby Oakdale, which outsourced its jobs to Mexico, is a good example of that.

Also a number jobs that people used to do for the major employers have been replaced by automation. People were laid off and they did not have the skills for the remaining jobs at the places where they had worked previously.

On a state level, the biggest cause of unemployment in California was the closure of the State Hospitals. This led to a conglomeration of mentally ill people on the streets, people who would have been helped and returned to the job market before Governor Ronald Reagan closed all but a handful of State Hospitals in the 1960's.

On a local level, the major reason for the widespread homelessness has been Modesto's widespread history of "turning things down" over the last 50 to 60 years. Beginning with a huge amusement park that applied to come to Modesto and ended up going to Santa Clara after the City Council turned it down, Modesto has enacted more than its share of "turn downs" of major employers who could have boosted the City's economy ten-fold or more. Other things that could have been built in Modesto but went elsewhere because of "turn downs" and/or unrealistic demands for sidewalks, street lights and other things that the City is supposed to provide, include the Shriner's Hospital, which went to Sacramento, the Western United States Department of Forestry, which went to Sonora, and the Cancer Research Center, which ended up going to Sonora as well. Modesto also was in the running for the University of California campus that ended up going to Merced after Modesto pulled out.

Also, about 50 years ago, there was a proposal to build a major airport that would serve as a Regional Airport for both Modesto and Stockton. The airport would have accommodated the large airliners and would have been dubbed a "Metropolitan Airport" or perhaps even an "International Airport." Stockton was all for it but the Modesto City Council turned it down.

UC Med Center in Modesto? 

 

Right now there is talk about building a major university hospital in Modesto which would be part of the UC Merced. Let's only hope that if it comes before the City Council for a vote, that they won't turn it down.

 Preserving farmland and jobs 

 

While we do have to limit new construction to protect the farmland, we must not use farmland preservation as an excuse for turning everything down and keeping Modesto in its current state of total economic misery. The City already has laws requiring that new construction take place on city infill; so there is no need for the City Council to "turn down" any additional employers who wish to come to this town and bring us jobs, including the University of California.

And for crying out loud, Council, don't just sit there in stone-cold silence when public-spirited citizens like Sebastian Jones come to speak to you about the human tragedy of homelessness. Show some concern and tell us what you are going to do about the situation. And for crying out loud, don't turn down the UC Med Center!

Endoso: Tony Madrigal para el Consejo de la Ciudad de Modesto.

Este observador, quisiera aprovechar esta oportunidad para refrendar Tony Madrigal para un segundo término como concejal de la Ciudad de Modesto Consejo. Como estudiante de políticas y un graduado de la Escuela Secundaria Hughson y modesto Junior College, Tony's credenciales como un modesto ciudadano de la zona están bien establecidos. Tony también se graduó de la Universidad de California, Santa Cruz, donde obtuvo una licenciatura en economía.

Tony también trabajó en el Consejo de la ciudad de Santa Cruz antes de regresar a la zona de Modesto. Tony's experiencia en Santa Cruz, además de su mandato en el Consejo de la Ciudad de Modesto, le han proporcionado un buen conocimiento básico de política municipal. Él es muy consciente de las necesidades presupuestarias de las ciudades, la necesidad de prestar servicios, además de ser frugal, y la necesidad de ciudades a trabajar con otras entidades del gobierno, tales como el condado, agencias estatales y federales. El Sr. Madrigal es muy consciente de la necesidad de contratar, bien financiados, los departamentos de policía y bomberos, y al mismo tiempo mantenerse fuera de la deuda.

Tony lema de la campaña es el empleo, la seguridad, la Comunidad.

Trabajos: Tony está trabajando duro como concejal para atraer industrias a modesto que brindan buenos trabajos bien remunerados, con beneficios médicos. Modesto ha perdido un importante número de empleadores en las últimas décadas, incluyendo Campbell Soup, Procter and Gamble y Del Monte. El concejal Madrigal está trabajando duro para atraer nuevas industrias a Modesto, así como ampliar las actuales industrias manufactureras, para resolver el desempleo Modesto números. Como Tony lo ve, no hay ninguna razón para tener cualquier modesto menos empleadores y empleos decentes que cualquier otra área metropolitana, incluyendo el área de la bahía. Tony tiene por objetivo realizar modesto como próspera y vibrante lugar para vivir como el área de la Bahía, Los Ángeles o cualquier otra área metropolitana.

Seguridad: Tony está trabajando duro para hacer Modesto, un lugar seguro para vivir. Él no sólo está buscando fondos adicionales para los departamentos de policía y de bomberos en Modesto, pero también está buscando maneras de proporcionar a las personas sin hogar y los jóvenes de Modesto. Tony es consciente del hecho de que cuando las personas tienen empleo, y sienten que están haciendo la diferencia, de que hay menos delincuencia en y alrededor de la ciudad. Y Tony siempre está buscando formas de hacer participar a un mayor número de personas en una variedad de actividades que llenan esa necesidad. Él está activamente involucrado en el centro y el King-Kennedy Maddux Youth Center y participa con frecuencia en las actividades de la juventud en ambos lugares.

Comunidad: Tony participa activamente en roles de liderazgo en una variedad de agencias comunitarias, actividades y organizaciones destinadas a mejorar la calidad de vida en Modesto, incluyendo la comunidad latina Roundtable, el sur modesto negocio, el Grupo unido/Manos Unidas Manos Unidas la organización comunitaria y la Estanislao Asian American Community Resource agencia sin fines de lucro. Además, Tony está activamente involucrado en un programa que anualmente se ofrecen asientos de seguridad para los padres, el tronco anual o tratar y Car Show, evento que ofrece a los niños un lugar seguro para la tradición del truco o trato durante la temporada de Halloween en el centro de la ciudad de Modesto. El hecho del asunto es que si hay un evento en curso para el enriquecimiento de la calidad de vida en Modesto, Tony está ahí, colaborando activamente con los demás.


En conclusión: un voto para Tony Madrigal de la Ciudad de Modesto consejo, Distrito 2 es un voto para modesto del futuro. Votar por el candidato con una visión y con la experiencia y el know-how para alcanzar esa visión. Tony puede y debe hacerlo!

Tony Madrigal de la Ciudad de Modesto Consejo Distrito 2.

Trabajos Comunitarios de Seguridad.

Endorsement: Tony Madrigal for Modesto City Council

This observer would like to take advantage of this opportunity to endorse Tony Madrigal for a second term as a Councilman of the Modesto City Council. As a student of politics and a graduate of Hughson High School and Modesto Junior College, Tony's credentials as a citizen of the Modesto area are well-established. Tony also graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned a degree in Economics.

Tony also served on the Santa Cruz City Council before returning to the Modesto area. Tony's experience in Santa Cruz, plus his one term on the Modesto City Council, have provided him a good, basic knowledge of municipal politics. He is keenly aware of the budgetary needs of cities, the need to provide services while  also being frugal, and the need for cities to work with other government entities, such as county, state and federal agencies. Mr. Madrigal is keenly aware of the need to hire competent, well-funded police and fire departments, while at the same time staying out of debt.

Tony's campaign slogan is Jobs, Safety, Community.

Jobs: Tony is working hard as a Councilman to attract industries to Modesto that provide good, high-paying jobs with medical benefits. Modesto has lost a number of important employers over the last few decades, including Campbell Soup, Proctor and Gamble and Del Monte. Councilman Madrigal is working hard to attract new industries to Modesto,  as well as expand existing manufacturing industries, to resolve Modesto's unemployment numbers. As Tony sees it, there is no reason for Modesto to have any fewer employers and decent jobs than any other metropolitan area, including the Bay Area. Tony is aiming to make Modesto as vibrant and prosperous place to live as the Bay Area, Los Angeles or any other metropolitan area.

Safety: Tony is working hard to make Modesto a safe place to live. He not only is seeking additional funding for the police and fire departments in Modesto, but also is seeking ways to provide for the homeless and young people of Modesto. Tony is aware of the fact that when people have jobs, and feel that they are making a difference, that there is less crime in and around the City. And Tony is always seeking ways to involve greater numbers of people in a variety of activities that fill that need. He is actively involved in the King-Kennedy Center and the Maddux Youth Center and frequently participates in youth activities at both places.

Community: Tony is actively involved in leadership roles in a variety of community agencies,  activities and organizations aimed at boosting the quality of life in Modesto, including the Latino Community Roundtable, the South Modesto Business United Group, the Manos Unidas/United Hands community organization, and the Stanislaus Asian American Community Resource nonprofit agency. In addition, Tony is actively involved in a program that annually provide safety seats to parents, the Annual Trunk or Treat and Car Show Event that offers kids a safe venue for Trick or Treating during Halloween season in downtown Modesto. The fact of the matter is that if there is an event going on for the enrichment of the quality of life in Modesto, Tony is there, actively engaged with others.

In Conclusion: A vote for Tony Madrigal for Modesto City Council, District 2 is a vote for Modesto's future. Vote for the candidate with a vision and with the experience and know-how to attain that vision. Tony can and will get it done!

Tony Madrigal for Modesto City Council District 2.

 Jobs Safety Community.