By GREG WELLMAN
Given levels of animosity between political parties at the federal level, one wonders whether a sense of right or wrong still exists in the minds and hearts of those calling the shots. In other words, do government officials at all levels, including local and regional, still subscribe to a code of ethics?
Ethics can be defined as “a set of moral principles governing our behavior. That is pretty high-minded stuff. But it starts at the local level.
I like to think that the real glue and fiber binding our communities together is the large number of cities, counties, schools, special districts, tribal governments, and on and on.
It is likely we feel more connected at this level as our friends, neighbors, and associates are more likely to serve on their councils and boards.
Recently I noted Mountain House had become the 486th new California city, and the first new city in over a decade. I also read recently that a gentleman reported he had personally visited all 3,143 counties in the U. S., a huge undertaking; he should write a book!
Speaking of counties, I got to thinking about Merced County and its District 2 supervisor from many years ago, Ann Klinger. She was elected president of the National Association of Counties and brought great value to our entire county by her constant and considerable efforts.
She fought for county hospital support, public protection, agriculture, Castle Air Base and so many other services vital to all of us.
Today, our state and local governments are struggling mightily on many fronts: just follow the news during the past couple years on the Eastside of the county up Highway 99: Merced, Atwater, Livingston, Delhi, Ceres, Turlock and many others.
On the Westside, the cities of Dos Palos, Los Banos and Gustine, not to mention Santa Nella, have also had their share of struggles.
Recently, Merced County and virtually all six cities within the county are having problems recruiting qualified law enforcement officers, not to mention firefighters and some emergency responders.
Merced County currently offers a $10,000 signing bonus to persons who law enforcement officers in the sheriff’s department, plus another $2,000 if you have a veteran’s certificate. By contrast, the city of Alameda offers $75,000 to police officers meeting a list of criteria. The bidding war has apparently just begun. We are up against formidable competition!
Also on the Westside, Los Banos has a recall election scheduled in November for two councilmen. These same two are blaming the recall on a local developer, notwithstanding both had over 2,000 voters in each district sign to get the recall on the ballot in November.
Some residents of Los Banos know I served in 2022 and 2023 as the city’s interim city manager. As always, the mayor and council give policy direction, while city staff carry the water in getting things done — to a point anyway.
Two councilmen were adamant in telling me that annual evaluations be completed ASAP even though I had been aboard less than a month. Hardly worth defending if you’re challenged, but they kept pressing.
So I politely advised those councilmen they did not have three strikes, but only one, and that had been called. Now, not to be unreasonable I offered to put evaluations on the open public agenda, and we could debate things in front of the camera and viewing audience. Funny thing, the demands evaporated.
I had not talked to developer Greg Hostetler for months, so I called him a few days ago just to make sure he still was still alive. Yes, he said, and excitedly told me of building projects in Merced, Corcoran and Winters, California as well as Los Banos.
These communities, certainly not wealthy, might just be able to improve living standards for everyone. But cooperation is needed, just as in any successful venture. I get the impression that Greg could delegate more, but he knows his business.
In church a couple of weeks ago I heard that if we wanted to strengthen our country we should go home and love and support our children and spouses, if we have been so blessed.
Well, I thought that admonition was a little strange, but looking at the turmoil in the city and country now, it might be exactly what the doctor ordered: One family at a time.
