To the citizens of Merced – today I want to discuss a topic that many may not want to face; hear; deal with or talk about. This topic has created many a family disputes; broken marriages; civil wars and yes, even World Wars. The topic is Politics.
This year is a very important political year for our Nation, as we look to see who will fill the seat that will look out for the best interest of our Nation. We need someone who has our best interest in mind. Our Nation is hurting in ways that affect everyone; whether that be the price of commodities; gas prices; our safety; the Border(s); politics or foreign affairs – just to name a few. But the real reason I want to talk to you about the topic of politics – is closer to home.
As I drive around Merced, I see many signs posted by those looking to be elected or reelected to a seat on the Merced County Board of Supervisors. The topic before these individuals should center on our City, County and our Neighborhoods.
Let us take a look at how our tax dollars are being used and utilized. We should be concerned about our ever-increasing local taxes, and how about the price of gas locally? Because I can drive to the next community and find the price of gas lessor than I can in Merced. How about our streets? Not just in crime, but the safety of just driving on the roads. I have raised this topic at numerous Town Hall meetings – when will our streets be paved and repaired? I continue to receive no answer. I even brought up the gas tax we all pay at the pump – how this is supposed to be used to repair our roads.
I can still remember when I first moved back to Merced, there was a Measure “V” which raised taxes for the purpose of fixing our roads. Then followed Measure “M”, again this raised taxes for new road repairs and yet nothing has been done. How about City/County services? Every time I look at my City/County service bill the price continues to go up. I thought the recycle container that I fill up every week [by separating my recyclables] was supposed to help offset some of the cost, but it doesn’t. By the way…where does the money generated from the recycles go to? I have never seen any kind of report on what that money is being used for.
Now, do not get me started on crime and the homeless in our community – that is a long and difficult discussion for another day. Allow me to say one comment about affordable housing. This was once the ultimate dream for every new generation. Now, I see it as out of the hands of many young and even older generations looking to buy their first home. I believe the City and County should look at the real estate industry in Merced County and look into the methodology of home prices and the standard used to set the sale price. This is also another topic we can talk about for hours and hours...at another time.
Let us talk about the Merced County Board of Supervisors...Your tax dollars; state funding; federal funding and grants bring in lots of money to our county...but what is really happening with that money? This is also true for the city, but today we will stay focused on the county. I have in the past, attended a number of Merced County Board Meetings, and after looking over their agenda, I find waste and [if I was able to dig deep into the books] I believe I would also find fraud. I notice how tax dollars pay and play favorites to a certain segment of the population, or parts of the community, at the direction of the County Board of Supervisors. The high donors to the campaigns of those seeking election or reelection want their monies worth. So, what I want you to think about as a taxpayer is – by paying your taxes, you too are contributing to the campaigns of those elected officials in your County and District(s). Remember, your tax dollars pay the Merced County Board of Supervisors their salaries, so why can’t you get your monies worth also?
Do you remember the saying:
It is time to drain the swamp...? I say, it is time to dump the chump!
During this county election year, “You” need to ask the hard questions of these officials.
Remember they work for you, and you pay their salary. Did you know on average – your County Board of Supervisor makes over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) per year? I spent half my lifetime in the service of our country [in the Military], putting my life on the line, and never once came close to the kind of payday – your Merced County Board Member receives.
You should be asking the Board Members the hard questions, as to what they plan to do for your County and your District(s), and especially your neighborhood. You only need to look up the Merced County Board of Supervisor web page [online] in order to find their contact information and send them your questions via phone or email. I say do it by email, so you have a record of it. Go to their office and ask to speak to them one on one and take a friend(s) as a witness. Attend the Merced County Board Meetings and stand up to the podium and ask your questions and see how they [the Board Members] handle themselves. I can tell you from experience – they like compliments, but give them the hard questions, such as who, where, what and why, and they will cut your speaking time as soon as they can. By the way – did you know that in the City of Modesto, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisor Meetings will allow you ten minutes to speak? So, why are the Merced County Board of Supervisor Members afraid to let you speak? Are they afraid you will hold them accountable? Make them responsible for their actions, and to make them actually earn their salaries – being paid by you – the taxpayer?
I can recall as a kid living here in Merced, remembering how things were much nicer. The streets were paved and clean. We did not have streets that flood like we do now. Downtown was vibrant. The Merced Mall was flourishing, giving us an outlet for greater shopping, and now that I have moved back [to Merced] I feel like I came back to a dirty; trashing; lackluster community where our younger generations can’t wait to leave, and crime is being allowed to move in and our government officials are doing whatever they want – without accountability!
For me, it is those elected officials that we put into office who have the ultimate responsibility to take care of our community; our Districts and our neighborhoods – to do what you ask of them, because again, you are paying them and just like any good business – if your employee is not doing the job hired for – then it is time to replace [and fire] them. You have and hold the power on this upcoming election so, “Choose Smart and Choose Wisely."
Tell a friend what you read here, because your choices not only affect you, your family, friends and loved ones, but also the future generations to come.
I say this: Let us have a Good Life and share Good Will with each other – this election year and years to come.
Remember...What the Command Sergeant Major said!
