I am fortunate that my readers continue to connect with this columnist, so here are some more comments and questions from them.
Dear John,
I loved your column on “the simple life.” I laughed so hard, and it was so true of me also.
Carol
Los Banos
Dear Carol,
Thank you for your kind words. If I can make my readers laugh, chuckle or smile, I feel I have succeeded (at least when I’ve written what I think is humorous).
Dear John,
Election Day is less than two months away, and I still am not sure what district I’m in for city council candidates or what area I’m in for school board candidates.
Sandy
Los Banos
Dear Sandy,
I understand your quandary. I think I’m current on local politics, but still I have to double check what district and area I live in and who is currently representing me.
In the “old days” Los Banos voters would vote for all city council members and all school board members. Ten years ago LB voters approved a plan to divide the city into districts and the school district into areas so that a candidate would represent a smaller number of people.
I supported that idea because it made local politics even more local. The person we voted for would live close to us. Every vote counted even more.
But even after ten years I still have to ask, “Now what district/area do I live in, and who am I voting for in this election?”
On the City of Los Banos’ website, you can find a map of the city divided into its four districts, but it’s hard to see the streets which form the boundaries between districts.
That’s why I appreciate that The Westside Express recently printed a large map of the city showing how Los Banos is divided into council districts (and will probably reprint it closer to Election Day).
The map printed in this newspaper shows more clearly than the map on the city’s website the names of the district boundary streets. The map is the work of TWE reporter Javier Powell, who also takes an interest in GPS and map creation. I have cut out his map and put it on my refrigerator so I can study it more closely.
In many cases the boundaries between city districts are not straight lines but zigzags, and the districts look like strange pieces on a giant jigsaw puzzle.
When Los Banos voters receive their ballots in the mail next month, they will know for sure who they’re voting for, because their ballots, different for each district/area, will show them who they are voting for or against in this election. The same is true for voters in other Westside cities.
I suggest that, rather than waiting for a ballot which will arrive in the mail in early October, voters start familiarizing themselves now with their specific city district and who their district candidates are.
Here is one example of how tricky district boundaries are in Los Banos, as they are in all cities divided into districts. If you stand in the middle of the intersection of Overland Road and Rockport Drive (figuratively, not literally), when you walk a few steps northwest, you are in District 1. If you walk a few steps northeast, you are in District 2. If you walk a few steps due south, you’re in District 3.
Throughout Los Banos, if you live on a boundary street, you are in one district and your neighbor across the street is in another district. (I’m writing this not to criticize the district boundaries as they were drawn up, but to call attention to the voters’ challenge of knowing what district they’re in.)
The Los Banos Unified School District, which encompasses a much larger geographical terrain, is divided into seven areas. Voters can find a map of the district divided into areas (or districts) on the LBUSD website. It is also a challenge to see there exactly where the boundary streets are between areas.
In this November’s election, only one LBUSD district has two candidates running, Area 4, so I encourage voters especially in that area to check out the map.
So, Sandy, my parting words to you are “good luck” and “persevere” and you’ll eventually find what district/area you live in.
Dear John,
I read your column about Gene Vierra. You certainly told a beautiful story about a wonderful man and his bride, Carolyn. How blessed you have been to have them in your life.
Julie
Chicago, IL
Dear Julie,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, indeed, knowing Gene and Carolyn has been a tremendous blessing in my life.
Hi John,
I read your column about your conversation with Brijesh Sharma as part of the One Small Step project. That had to be a fascinating experience! I loved reading about it. Thank you for sharing it.
Sheila
Shabbona, IL
Dear Sheila,
Thank you for your kind words. I suggest you volunteer for the One Small Step project, as I did. It is indeed fascinating. And if you or anyone else would like to take 52 minutes to listen to the One Small Step conversation I had with Brijesh Sharma, here’s the link:
Finally, a big thank you to all in Los Banos, Dos Palos and Firebaugh who read my column in print and to those anywhere in the country who read my column online via The Westside Express website.
