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This will. be a somewhat lengthy post to show the city’s lack of properly administering the tax dollars they have already taken from us taxpayers, and why K should go down to defeat to prevent further mis-appropriations of our tax dollars. Stay with me on this. The gutter in front of my home has had a water leak caused by a city tree interfering with the water line. The gutter is constantly full of water even with the temperature over 100 degrees. as it was during this past summer for a record number of days. This condition has gone on for several years. This is a dangerous mosquito breeding area that the city has refused to address for many years. In addition, it is in violation of the numerous warnings the city distributed to the citizens threatening fines and water meters to those that did not comply. Since the leak is in front of my home albeit on city property, my neighbor, a physician approached me several times urging me to contact the city to get the leak stopped because of the constant threat of West Nile Virus during the summer months. He remarked that if the got the virus, he would own a large part of Modesto as a result of the negligent refusal of the city to correct this serious unhealthy condition. I would own the other half if I caught the virus. On about the first of August, 2006, I took the time to go to city hall with pictures of the slime growing in the “pond” in the gutter. I spoke with Wendy Corriea. I also had copies of the threatening information given to citizens regarding water wasting, allowing mosquito breeding areas and the penalties threatened. She viewed and returned the documentation I had. Ms. Corriea related that she would forward the information to the proper staff to correct the situation. I noted that the city had done nothing and on September 8, 2006 sent the following letter to the city: City of Modesto September 8, 2006 Public Works Department ATTN: Wendy Correia P.O. Box 642 Modesto, CA 95353 Dear Ms. Correia: Approximately three weeks ago, I came to your office and contacted you. I showed you the enclosed pictures of a water leak in the street that forms a stagnant pond in which mosquitoes can easily breed in front of my home. You saw the growth in the pictures and were appalled. You said you would have someone look into the problem to eradicate the mosquito threat. My next door neighbor, Dr. Jack Names, is very upset by the lack of action to rid our street of the potential danger from possible exposure to the West Nile Virus that is very, very present here in Stanislaus County. I am also enclosing the “Wiser Water Miser” flyer from the city utilities bill. It states that “Water leaks, once identified, must be repaired within 24 hours”. This was reported three weeks ago and we here on Laurel Oak Drive do not feel that the city is exempt from its own regulations. An article in the Modesto Bee editorial column also advises that should a mosquito abatement officer suggests corrective actions to TAKE THEM as it will “save you money in fines” and perhaps save lives”. I will be out of the country until September 18th, 2006. If you have any questions you may contact Dr. Names at his residence. I will monitor the situation when I return. Thank you for the city’s anticipated action in resolving this egregious situation. We only want to protect our health and not make a “federal case” out of it but are prepared to do so if forced to. Respectfully Warren Yates CC: Dr. Jack Names Upon Upon my return home on September 18th, I noticed some white arrows had been painted on the sidewalk presumably by a city employee. Aha. Progress!! Right!. Oh “contraire Pierre”. The pretty arrows just sat there on the sidewalk looking beautiful, but alas, no work on the “city mosquito breeding pond”. Well, taxpaying citizens expecting action to be taken could stand no more “pigeon holing”. So on Friday, October 13, 2006, I sent the following letter to Wendy Corriea and emailed copies of both letters to the mayor and all of the council persons. City of Modesto October 13, 2006 Public Works Department ATTN: Wendy Correia P.O. Box 642 Modesto, CA 95353 Dear Ms. Correia: On September 8, 2006, sent a letter to the city in care of yourself as I had spoken to you in person quite a while ago. After mailing the letter, I went on an eight day cruise. In my letter I requested that the city comply with its own directives regarding both water leaks and abating mosquito breeding areas. The situation I reported involves both. I indicated in my prior letter that we did not want to make a federal case out of this, but that has now changed. Because this lack of action on the part of the city involves the health of our neighborhood, I am advising that if the situation is not corrected by 5:OO PM on October 20th, I will be going to the Modesto Bee with this story as our neighborhood's safety is being ignored. With all of the disparaging, malicious and defamatory political posturing by candidates for federal, state and local offices by the candidates, the fact that constituents needs must be met regardless. The time for action is now. Paint on the sidewalk is nice but the danger is still present. If necessary, I can easily fill a petition with all of the residents of our neighborhood. Hopefully, the city will take action without that necessity. Thank you for the second time for the city’s anticipated action in resolving this egregious situation. I am sending a copy of this letter to the mayor and councilpersons to present our situation. Well lo and behold, on MONDAY October 16th, a voice mail message was left on my answering machine by a Bill Dufrane (Not sure of spelling of last name, sorry Bill), to contact him. I called Bill and the first thing he did was apologize for the delay in addressing my concerns but things just got shuffled incorrectly. At this point I wish to say that Bill is a very courteous employee and I enjoyed speaking with him personally. It is what he had to say that I have a major problem with. He pulled my “file” and determined the first time I called the city to report this year round problem pond was in 2001. He stated that the city is behind on these types of complaints and some people have been waiting since 1994(?) for something to be done. I could not believe my ears. what the Sam Hill are they doing with our tax money. Probably gifitng the Gallo's by putting in sidewalks, streets and planters for the new hoity toity arts center downtown. Bill advised me that our street is scheduled for the necessary repairs after the first of the year, long past the current mosquito breeding and biting season. I advised Bill that this is a very serious health issue and felt that it should have a top priority. I advised him that I had been driving through the 600 or so block of East Rumble and saw six (6) city employees and three city truck working on what appeared to be a sidewalk resurface project and questioned what that could not wait and have this health related problem taken care of first. Bill related that it had been scheduled for that time. I tried to maintain the same courteous demeanor that Bill was exhibiting and believe I did even though inside I was very upset. Realizing that this health hazard situation was going nowhere, due to some city employee’s misguided priority scheduling abilities, I thanked Bill for his information and ended the call. Now the city is pressing for prop “K” for more money to spend. If this boondoggle prop K passes, I am very concerned that the “oversight committee”, whom ever they may be, will suffer the same inability to prioritize the spending of the taxpayers money and we will suffer the same lack of proper foresight that the “city mosquito pond” on our street has suffered with. “K” should not pass and the time to draft a proper proposition should be taken with the necessary safeguards in place to insure that the monies raised are spent here in this county and in it right priorities. Until a carefully drafted proposition, K must go down to defeat as we cannot take that mistake back.
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Opinion 
