 The Struggles Of Advocacy |
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These pages are compiled of a series of articles that I have written in an attempt to promote understanding and solicit empathy for the plight of those that are less fortunate than we are.
In my attempts of changing my community for the better, I have had to learn the hard way - that it is true - some of the "old guard" that comprise what is loosely called the "leadership" of our local community maintain a strong hold on the prevention of positive growth and the nourishment of positive change. The old guard continues, as those that have gone before have set an example that this is the path to success in local politics and social action. I disagree.
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Election 2009 17 Day Countdown - District 4 Budget Plans
by
Modesto Bee
Posted on Sun, Oct. 18, 2009
Modesto City Council hopefuls weigh in on budgeting, city services
By Leslie Albrecht
lalbrecht@modbee.com
last updated: October 18, 2009 05:04:31 AM
With jobs disappearing, retirement savings shrinking and home values plunging, voters will bring a full plate of worries with them to the ballot box Nov. 3.
In Modesto's three City Council races, voters are watching candidates closely for signs of how they'll handle tight budgets while continuing to provide city services. "People are saying, how do you think we got here and what should we do to get out?" said Modesto-based political consultant Mike Lynch. "All the legs on the tripod are significantly weaker than they were before. In the past you might have an employment worry, you might have had a home value worry, you might have had a pension worry. Now you have all three.
"It's a quantum leap in the intensity of concern." With that in mind, The Bee asked City Council candidates the following questions
Given that the city budget isn't likely to improve next year, what would you do with existing resources to improve public safety? Where would you cut next in the city budget? If the budget improves, what would you fund?
District 4
Joe Muratore
To shore up public safety, Muratore suggested using the neighborhood-based model that's worked well in La Loma. The La Loma Neighborhood Association runs a private security patrol and organizes residents for community cleanups. He said that can be replicated in other parts of Modesto. "It goes beyond just police and fire; it's about neighborhoods that are well-lit, that Neighborhood Watch is happening, and that neighbors are keeping an eye out for each other," Muratore said.
When it's time to consider budget cuts, Muratore said, the council must "go line by line through the budget" to decide where to make painful cuts. If more funds become available, Muratore said he'd put the money toward public safety and neighborhood programs that promote it.
Jeff Perine
Perine said crime will go up as the economy worsens, so he'll make sure that police and fire are the last to be cut if more budget-tightening happens. He'd seek alternative sources of funding for public safety. "We've got to make our case loud and clear to the federal and state government to get grants," Perine said.
As for future budget cuts, Perine said, he'd want to look closely at cuts that the council has made before making new ones. "I want to work with the existing council to see the reason for the cuts they made, and to see if they're going to allow us to have efficiencies, or if they're going to set us up for liabilities," Perine said. If the city sees an increase in revenues, Perine said, the the first thing he would do is get the Police Department back to full staffing.
Robert Stanford
To address public safety, Stanford wants to see an overhaul at the Police Department. Stanford said he wants to ensure that the Police Department doesn't have too many managers for its front-line officers. He'd track how the department prioritizes its calls to make certain minor offenses like jaywalking don't draw resources from serious crimes. He'd promote closer ties between the Police Department and Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.
"Before I make cuts, I would be trying to cut waste first, and see if there's any way work could be performed more efficiently," Stanford said.
He suggested taking a hard look at code enforcement, parks and public works spending in particular.
Funding police, fire and parks would be at the top of Stanford's list when finances stabilize.
QUESTION: There probably won’t be any more money in the Modesto city budget for police and fire next year. What will you do with existing resources to improve public safety?
District 4
Joe Muratore
In making the most of existing resources, we have to use alternative methods for making our city safer. For example, with the La Loma Neighborhood Association neighborhood ownership model and private security patrol, we have an opportunity. It goes beyond just police and fire, it’s that neighborhoods are well lit, that Neighborhood Watch is happening, and that neighbors are keeping an eye out for each other. We have an effective model for this in the La Loma neighborhood that we’ve applied for several years now that’s perfect for times like these.
Jeff Perine
Until I get a full grasp and understanding of the budget, it’s premature to determine what can be done. We’ve got to make our case loud and clear to the federal and state government to get grants. As the economy continues to worsen, I believe that crime will go up. I’ll do all that I can to make sure that police and fire are the last to be cut.
Robert Stanford
The very first thing I would do is, I think The Police Department needs an overhaul. I believe their methods and their management is out of control. I’d probably start with chain of command. I don’t like to see a sergeant or lieutenant for every three street officers. That seems like overkill.
I would look at how they prioritize calls, how many squad cars they send to each call. They send three cars for a jaywalker, I see it all the time. Something’s wrong there. I’d take a real good look at the gang task force and the Modesto Police Department’s relationship with the sheriff’s department and see what I could do to promote that relationship becoming a little more productive.
QUESTION: The city has already cut almost 10 percent of its work force this year, and the budget isn’t likely to improve in the year ahead. Where would you cut next? If the budget improves, what would you fund?
District 4
Joe Muratore
The answer to this is we’re just going to go have to go line by line through the budget. We’ve cut in the easy places, and the cuts we’re going to have to make now are harder and more painful. It’s a matter of going through the budgets line by line and finding those cuts.
If there are additional funds, they need to be applied in public safety. Our number one priority is keeping the city safe and that’s where I’ll apply the funds first. It’s not simply about funding more positions, although that may well be a part of it. It’s also about funding initiatives and neighborhood programs that increase public safety.
Jeff Perine
This question has come up several times with voters. It really is on everybody’s mind. My answer is, Modesto has never gone through cuts like we’ve been through. I want to make sure the cuts we’ve made aren’t going to set us up for further liability down the road. With your family budget, you can put off some expenses for a while, like not getting your car’s oil changed, but if you do that for too long, you’re setting yourself up for liabilities. I want to work with the existing council to see the reason for the cuts they made, and to see if they’re going to allow us to have efficiencies, or if they’re going to set us up for liabilities.
If things do improve, the first thing I want to do is get the Police Department back to its full staffing.
Robert Stanford
(I would considers cuts in) code enforcement. Not big cuts, but I would be looking very strongly at code enforcement. I would really look at some of the duties these departments perform and try to shore up their duties. Going around all day and looking at dogs to see if they have tags? That’s a good example. I see a lot of waste in how money is spent. I would look at Parks and Recreation and see what they’re doing and see if they’re really doing what they say they’re doing. I would look at public works and see if we’re getting our money’s worth.
But before I make cuts I would be trying to cut waste first - and see if there’s any way work could be performed more efficiently. And of course I would get consensus from other council members before making cuts. I believe there’s a way to free up other money. That bus maintenance facility, that’s a good example. There’s money, especially (on the consent agenda). If I had the time I would add up previous consent calendars and show where we’ve spent millions of dollars that we don’t even know about.
(If funding become available) I would fund public safety number one, fire number two, then I would fund parks and recreation and code enforcement. But before I funded anything, I would make sure that efficiencies were in place. I would be able to show the general public so that they could understand, “Look, this is how your tax dollars are spent.” If we get flush with cash, I’m not going to say, OK time for a new strategy. I’m going to shore up parks and rec and the police department to see how they spend their money and how they respond to calls, because it effects more than money, it affects quality of life.
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