The man is obviously out of answers, sounds like its time we lend him a hand for our own benefit.

Hello crimeriddendump
I was quite frankly appalled at the Mayor's statements, but it's not unusual for him to put the blame elsewhere, as Sovereign said "the man's obviously out of answers "
To blame our community for all these shootings, stabbings, past and present shows that he is clueless as to what's wrong in our City.
e need a Mayor, and a Council that cares about

Sorry I clicked post accidentally before finishing
as I said we need leader's to take responsible actions not sit there and "cry it wasn't My fault"
The Mayor has a history of shirking responsibility I have on more then one occasion conversed with him regarding negligent Landlords and gang problems in my neighborhood,how its not just one neighborhoods problem but a Citys as well his response was " the neighborhood should Sue the Landlords or just move "
A community can only do so much, the real issue is where this Mayor and Council has repeatedly failed it's citizens. They seem to only be interested in putting up more buildings to stay empty, spending money on projects the people have consistently spoke out against.
We had a dedicated gang unit, we had more police on the streets and we had fewer incidents. I'm not saying our problem went to zero but it was being dealt with because we had more Officers. Then there were less! And we see the results.
The people of Manteca voted to keep this Mayor and council on which is baffling considerating there track record.
It's time to clean house this City deserves better!
Sincerely,
rozemist

We sometimes have too high of expectations from those we call leaders. Willie and our council, like many in our cities like Stockton and Lathop to name a few, are from the Sim City mind set, where you are playing a game where you can turn on and turn off challenges that can and will arise.

It's more of an analogy than a fact, but if you have ever played Sim City, it's a game that allows you to build a city through constant growth. There are natural challenges that come about like the need to raise or lower taxes, adjusting to crime and to potential fire hazards through installing police and fire departments, but extreme issues like natural disasters and economic down turns can be turned off giving the player a sense that the issues are easier to solve through growth. You can see this type of attitude in the polititians from the examples I gave.

These "leaders" are just our neighbors trying to do good. We don't have a Bell Ca situation of corruption here, just a mayor who was a former cop, and a council of business people who are trying to serve their neighborhoods and their town. They have limited abilities, and it is wrong for us to think we can sit back and rest assured that these people know what to do when the going gets tough. They obviously don't.

More cops on the streets is not necessarily the right answer, but rather how we are using those cops is. As we see the argument on the national stage, throwing more of something at the issue just grows government, and really doesnt address the cause of the issue. The one thing that we need to be throwing more of at the issues is ideas, and that should be coming from us. If we leave the problem solving to the few, it will typically degenerate to limited ideas that will violate our laws and infringe on our liberties.

For the sake of our town and our communities, we need to assist the mayor, the council, the police because they are our neighbors, and they need our help. There are many people in town with good ideas, they just need to present them, and our "leaders" need to be willing to try them.

I think that has been done for many years now... maybe it is time to CHANGE the leadership to some who would listen and DO

I believe we are experiencing here what alcoholics refer to as a "moment of clarity."

Politics are not about reality. Politics are about selling a perception of reality. Reality is a unifying, not a diving force. It is easy for a group of people to look at a community and plainly see that things are not as good as they seem the the people we have elected and appointed to lead do not deserve the positions they have been given.

Politics in general have lost that unifying humanistic approach that used to guide good people to make the decisions not for their own personal financial or social benefit, but, because it was the right thing to do. I think the post here show that maybe, just maybe, we all yearn for that unity again. The days were we all might initially disagree as to what exactly is the best path of life, but, at the end of that same day look at each other with respect and reverence of knowing we are all strive to better not only our own lives but also, the overall human condition.

While these might be big dreams, big dreams start as small ones. I think we can all start small and make the community that we live in the BEST it can possibly be. From there, maybe, we can make this county the best. Maybe that would catch on in the state, and then maybe even the whole country ...

With all that in mind, is Willie Weatherford blaming YOU for his lacking leadership and inability to properly lead a city to better tomorrow the type of person who can make a better Manteca? Or, is Weatherford the personification of failure, disappointments, and broken promises?

This is a democracy, and the choice is ours. What will YOU tell Mayor Weatherford about his arrogant and leaderless comments? I know what I am telling him: NO THANK YOU!

http://www.mantecabulletin.com/sectio...

Figures that Wyatt would agree 100% with his writing partner Mayor Weatherford. Slick Willie should have just saved us all the trouble and slapped his name on top of the editorial. But, guess he needs to scratch Dennis' back from time to time to ...

The actual people of Manteca need to step up to Weatherford and demand he take personal responsibility or get out. The people of Manteca RE responsable for the gang problem, we allowed this idiot to run Manteca into the ground and smile about it the whole way.

Interesting how so many so-called "conservatives" who advocate so passionately for more local control and smaller federal government are so dispassionate about the actual affairs of their local government.

The whole idea seems to solidify that these people are just completely disingenuous with their beliefs and are nothing more than brainwashed TV addicts just repeating what they have been spoon feed by the pretty blonde's (and Sean Hannity) on the magic talking picture box.

Maybe Weatherford is right; Manteca is just too stupid to do anything about its own problems.

Crimeriddendump could be right... OH sorry CORRECT as the majority of people in Manteca seem to be Liberals>>.

from
kos.com
California Republicans fear that the new Senate lines would give Democrats a two-thirds majority in that chamber; this is a huge deal, as it would allow Democrats to raise taxes and bypass various procedures.

"the majority of people in Manteca seem to be Liberals"

That is probably the single most ignorant and false statement I have EVER heard. Manteca is SOOO liberal that the Mayor holds "town hall" meetings sponsored by the TeaParty ...

Oh, and how many right wing political organizations are there in Manteca? Now, how many left wing ones? Go ahead, name them since to you there is such an overwhelming liberalism in Manteca. How about this, just name ONE liberal organization in Manteca, just ONE!

The opposite of what you are saying is true, Manteca might jus very well be the prime example of right-wing politics in the region. Manteca clearly favors corporate welfare over public safety and education.

Honestly canative62, do you live in the same reality as the rest of us?

I guess you can't OR won't read "unauthorized" comments it was not me that said it
BUT kos.com....

can't help the failure of liberals to organize.... Get out look around once in a while in stead of being buried in the Parties propaganda mailings...

See all the OBAMA stickers???? see all of the Democratic Party Supporters...???
Yes Manteca is more conservative than the BAY AREA BUT it is still full of liberals and youo are the one who said the residents in Manteca are too stupid... that seems to fit a lot of those on this blog...

It is quite clear that canative62 does not believe anything he writes and has zero personal integrity. He only believes what his church tells him to believe.

Sad to see people be turned into mindless tools.

I have pictures I took of a recruitment rally held on the steps of City Hall by the KLAN. Enough said....

Sounds like Hoffman all overe again.. with his aide de kamp

The screen name changes but the distorted stench remains the same.

I thought the TeaParty wanted more local control and less Federal government. Odd then that it would seem none of these type of people care to discuss actual local issues but instead choose put forward pointless and idiotic commentary.

I am trying to have a real discussion about local issues. Clearly canative62 and Friendo do not care about the community at all and it is because of selfish, intellectually dishonest people like these that Manteca is in trouble.

canative62 commented on Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 21:26 PM

I think that has been done for many years now... maybe it is time to CHANGE the leadership to some who would listen and DO

yeah those of us on the right don't do anything for the neighborhood!!!

from another string on this blog regarding drugs and crime
"While some seem to believe a utopian dream that drugs don't harm anyone but the fact is Law breaking is law breaking.. While it is difficult for the police to be everywhere it is not impossible to start a Neighborhood Watch program by just getting residents together . Someone must take the step to besure everyone klnows the number to call and to tell everyone that there is a program and people are involved which leads to more people becoming willing to CALL
They have advised me that the
239-8410 number is changed to 456-8100 little details like that need to be shared with everyone.

We still have to deal with dispatchers that seem to be unwilling to send out units. But stand firm and DEMAND police protection.. I have been told at least four times that it was not against the law to gather after dark , even after I insisted the area was known for gangs. I stayed firm and insisted a patrol be sent out.. The one time they didn't, gang graffiti was all over the fence in the alley by the Southside Park.
We put notices around the neighborhood that suspicious activity will be reported.. and we do it. It is too bad the dispatcher did not send out a unit during the above call, with the dog barking. BUT we will keep calling and keep watching."

My neighborhood knows what I have done for them...

UPDATE:
I have called the police as suggested , regarding Neighborhood Watch and was told by the Capt. I was in touch with that it was not his job and he wouold give my name and number to the man who was in chargrge of such things... That was two weeks ago... Looks like my informal Neighborhood Watch is Better because it actually works..for 5 years...
Yeah your right CRime conservatives don't care... You are so blinded by your hate for the conservatives you can't see anything but what your left wing propaganda shows you.
The left just goes on believing there is no harm done until they are affected by crime.

just keep on believing your utopian agenda and watch while Conservatives actually fix the problem....

canative when I choose to walk home from work because gas prices are high I walk by at least four conservative bumper stickers on one street. One that says "Obama: One Big A#! Mistake America" another about how God loves all children, even the unborn, and a few more like that. Does this mean Manteca is conservative? No. But in my experience Manteca is a more conservative area than most of California. So what you're saying, that because in California Democrats might get a 2/3 majority in state government therefore Manteca is liberal, is just false and completely illogical as saying Manteca is lib because you have seen a few Obama stickers around.

Anyways throwing people in jail for hanging out at a park is not going to actually help the problem. We need programs that try and keep kids out of gangs and aware of the gang lifestyle and what it actually means. The gang awareness programs that we have now are a joke(take that from somebody who has gone through this process before). We also need jobs in Manteca that don't consist of working minimum wage part-time with little hope of advancement in a big corporation. Of course conservatives never want to look at the root of problems and try to come to conclusions based on that, the answer always seems to be to just throw everybody in jail.

I don't see anywhere a statement to the fact that conservatives just want to throw people in jail, ANYWHERE....
Your hatred for the Capitalists conservatives is clouding your thinking... JUST the same as you WANT to believe the GOP wants to cut off welfare.... THere is nothing to say such a thing except in your mind and it is JUST unjustified hate because you want to destroy capitalism...THATS THE PLAIN TRUTH...

canative62, you seem to have a real easy time painting broad strokes and wrongly labeling people. See, your OPINION is not TRUTH, especially not PLAIN TRUTH as you call it. Honestly, try and learn the difference between FACTS and OPINIONS.

Now, I disagree with the assertion of Capitalists_Nightmare that JAIL was the ultimate goal of this call from canative62. With the whole George Zimmerman thing, I applaud canative62 for calling the Police when he feels suspicious activity is around. What is disappointing is the lack of response from the Police. It does not take a genius to figure out that when Police don't or can't respond to calls, the criminal element ill get more brazen.

I wish the MPD had more professional leadership and organization. It is quite clear that they are way over their head. I advocate change NOW before things get out of hand lie in Stockton.

fact
your comments from above..
I am trying to have a real discussion about local issues. Clearly canative62 and Friendo do not care about the community at all and it is because of selfish, intellectually dishonest people like these that Manteca is in trouble.

Fact I am a Conservative and I DO things for my community

Fact due to the above that equals = you know nothing about me OR other Conservatives as your mistaken concepts prove...
fact the Neighborhood Watch in the Southside Park area has worked for 5 years and it is now back on track . Police do get called. FAct we do not want innocent people put in jail HOWEVER we would like to stop the violence.
Fact the criminal element KNOWS we call the police and we don't mind serving notice with postings and window signs all over as a reminder.
Fact the police do seem to have a low regard for the area. It could be because as one rumor has it the area is used by city leaders as a blighted area to recieve Federal Funds then re-route those funds. So they do not want to clean up the area and destroy the fatted calf that brings in the money. I don't know if that is truth or not but I live here and I will WORK in my community to help it..
Fact I actually agree with you that the MPD IS WAY OVER THEIR HEADS AND WE COULD BE HEADED FOR STOCKTON LIKE PROBLEMS as you say, and I have heard some of the gang problems come from Stockton and Modesto.
One final fact your concept of Conservatives is a lie born out of your hate for thoise who oppose you because as I have proven you DO NOT KNOW US.
Just like C N you believe what you want to about Conservatives because you hate their opposition..
WHAT have you done know it all...

It is real sad seeing how you seem to get defensive and attack even when I agree with you. Seriously, you have some MAJOR personality issues to work out.

Also, half of the "facts" you assert are actually just your OPINIONS. Again, there is a difference between fact and opinion that just seems to complete elude you.

Fact due to the above that equals = you know nothing about me OR other Conservatives as your mistaken concepts prove...
Yep FAct
fact the Neighborhood Watch in the Southside Park area has worked for 5 years and it is now back on track . Police do get called. FAct we do not want innocent people put in jail HOWEVER we would like to stop the violence.
Yep FACT

Fact the criminal element KNOWS we call the police and we don't mind serving notice with postings and window signs all over as a reminder.
Yep FACT

Fact the police do seem to have a low regard for the area. (many in the area believe this so the POLICE DO SEEM TO HAVE A LOW REGARD FOR THE AREA)
yep FACT

One final fact your concept of Conservatives is a lie born out of your hate for those who oppose you because as I have proven you DO NOT KNOW US.
Just like C N you believe what you want to about Conservatives because you hate their opposition..
Yep FACT

HOW sad you cannot accept the fact you are, according to the dictionary a bigot, because you base your rejections on the fact that someone thinks differently (Conservative) than you....

Even more funny stuff from Native...thnks..'
Tell us about the iceberg thing again...

"Fact the [BLANK] do seem"

Do you even understand that statement is completely backward?

The phrase [do seem] would be a statement of opinion. While it might be a fact that this is your opinion, but, your opinion does not make it a fact.

You have a major problem with understanding that opinions are not facts.

So how are things going in your Utopia known as Santa Rosa CA?

These blogs require fumigation once again.

Fredo, did you hear about the iceberg thing?
Native, tell Fredo about the Iceberg thing..

Again, so odd how "limited federal government more local control" GOP types seem to not care AT ALL about actual local issues.

I think it proves even further that these types of people when they say they are "Conservatives" really have no idea what they are talking about and are just repeating what they have been told.

A real conservative cares about their local government. As I said, it is clear that cantive62 and Friendo do not care about Manteca at all and instead care far more about their own egos.

Pathetic.

Someone should ask Weatherford if the three shootings in the past two days are still our fault?

Chewbaca, Tell Hoffman about your recent scalp burns and your new tiny tin foil hat. Maybe you can share it with Hoff.

Wish I knew WTF you are talking about there Fredo, last I heard about a tin foil hat it was the Sov applying it to Native, I think....I don't think Hoffman has to be told anything by me or you that he doesn't already know.

Friendo:

Just to be clear, this is the THIRD time I have tried to directly engage you in conversation relevant to the topic of this blog. Three times now you have instead made the choie to ignore any topic and make this about you and your baseless, stupid vendetta.

If there where actual rules in this forum, I would say you are very much in violation trying to completely attack out of context of the blog topic.

I am now formally asking you to either respond to the blog topic, or, do not write anything at all. I will not respond to baseless antagonism from you. Now please, either respond to the topic or take your childish and pointless commentary elsewhere.

crdump, Why do you respond with anger when I reminisce about Mhoffman with Chewbaca? Kind of perplexing to say the least. Why would a comment concerning Mhoffman make YOU angry? You seem to be an advocate for robust enforcement of forum rules and a champion for blog decorum...But if memory serves me well, I do remember voluminous unbridled forum contention that resulted in the most unfavorable of forum consequences for a dear old friend. Thats all. So you see, my commentary is relevant, accurate and truly resonates with you for some obscure reason. Good day Sir.

Crimeriddendump, I am only pointing out the obvious, but your expectations are not in line with reality. Some people have the thought process to engage in relevant conversation, and then there are those with limited capacity only allowing them to blurt out insults in a turrets like manner. I am sure you can figure out which one you are dealing with here.

Hello Friendo, Perhaps I can help clear up your "perplexity" about crimeriddendump's supposed "anger" (which comes across more like exasperation, to me) in response to your alleged "reminisce" about Mhoffman. When canative62 accuses crimeriddendump of sounding like hoffman and you respond with, "The screen name changes but the distorted stench remains the same" can you actually be confused or "perplexed" by crimeriddendump's negative reaction? Such blatant insults and taunting on your part and then feigned innocent confusion really seems disingenuous, in my opinion. Your tactics and language sound eerily similar to those of YouCanDoIt (another banned poster), but what a waste of time to accuse you of being him. Your true identity does not really matter to me. Frankly, I would rather focus on the CONTENT of someone's postings and commentary rather than engage in endless speculation as to the identity of the contributor and obsessively attempt to ferret out who is actually who. You seem more than capable of offering intelligent rebuttals (judging from your past postings) to posts you disagree with, yet recently you are content to merely drop in a gratuitous insult and vanish, with nary a thought-provoking response to ponder. That is under-utilizing your capabilities. Sincerely, Karen

Hello Karen, I regret the disappointment that my questions may have caused you. Allow me to perhaps correct an inaccuracy. My take is that Blog posters are not banned here. Blog screen names are banned here. My sincere questions for crimeriddendump were intended to uncover and perhaps reveal a shrewed blogger who currently requests adherence to blog topic, use of non antagonistic comments while possibly never providing any of the same, while in the past posting under several different screen names. Why would one ask for that which one very possibly would not provide others? This blog appears very hypocritical to me. You seem compelled to fervently rehabilitate possibly a most egregious blog/forum offender. CONTENT is important but why would you gloss over the vile nature and hypocritical postings that were formulated under several different screen names along with a seemingly disingenuous plea for blog decorum? You questioned the motivation for my questions directed to crimeriddendump, thats fine. Under the circumstances I sincerely question your motivation to prematurely rush in and ardently come to this blogger's defense in support of any postings. Why not wait for the clarity that the truth will provide? Sincerely Friendo

Hello Friendo, Rest assured that your comments, questions, or attitude do not "disappoint" me. You speak of "sincere questions", is asking "How are things going in your Utopia known as Santa Rosa CA? These blogs require fumigation once again" really an example of your "sincerity"? There was much to disagree with in tone, language, and sometimes position in Mhoffman's past postings. But you are assuming that because YOU see a similarity between crimeriddendump's style and that of Mhoffman, that they are in fact the same poster. You have no proof of that. Even if your assumption was true, under the screen name crimeriddendump, this contributor has not violated any of this forum's rules and has asked to stay on topic, which is a reasonable request. You seem to ANTICIPATE forum violations which have not, so far, occurred under this screen name. You theorize that he asks for things which he "very possibly would not provide others" when, in fact, he has pretty much stuck to the topics at hand or their tangents. Why are you so obsessed with making this correlation between the two posters and only looking for the worst? I doubt it is in my power to "rehabilitate" anyone, much less "possibly a most egregious blog/forum offender". But where you and I differ is I look at what is currently being posted, what strengths and weaknesses an argument presents, while you seem fixated at trying to make an identity connection between a current poster and your past "sparring partner". Did you miss him that much? I have been relishing the relative lack of drama on this forum and don't wish to see a return to paranoia and accusations which only distract and detract from a discussion of interesting topics at hand. If you see that as a "premature" or "ardent" defense of crimeriddendump, you are, of course, welcome to your own interpretation. I will restate again that I don't care about a poster's identity, now or in the past, whether crimeriddendump is mhoffman or you are YouCanDoIt. This revamped forum is a fresh start for all. I want to read people's thoughts and ideas on important topics. I don't always agree with crimeriddendump's opinions, but he offers intriguing commentary. I am choosing to focus on thought-provoking posts. You are free to spend your energies in another direction. I just don't think it is the most productive use of time or this forum. Sincerely, Karen

Hello Karen, Above you posted in part,
" Even if your assumption was true, under the screen name crimeriddendump, this contributor has not violated any of this forum's rules" I disagree.

On Monday July 9th 2012 in his response to TheSovereign, crimriddendump posted the following comment about canative62 in clear violation of MB blog rules.

"I honestly pity him. It must be difficult to be scared, stupid and alone".

So it's OK with you if a poster violates blog rules just as long as the poster offers intriguing commentary? I alway thought that you expected more from bloggers. Pehaps you should remind crimeriddendump about rule violations. Let's distance crimeriddendump from mhoffman yet try to connect friendo to youcandoit?

Hmmm. Just like the difficulty we encounter when trying to conceal an online identity we find it as equally difficult when we try to conceal our online bias found within our reproach of some posters juxtaposed to our championing of others. Karen, with respect, your online bias is as transparent as my aversion to mhoffman. Sincerely friendo

Hello Friendo, If saying that one honestly pities someone because it "must be difficult to be scared, stupid, and alone" (obviously an insulting remark, but, unfortunately, in keeping with the general tenor of many other posts in this forum) is a "clear violation", in your opinion, of the MB blog rules, wouldn't you say, to be consistent with the standards you are upholding, that YOUR comments about "distorted stench" and "fumigation" equally violate the MB forum rules? It is interesting that you are so quick to cry foul with other posters when you are guilty of the same behavior (or worse) yourself, that you condemn in others. It is apparent that we will not see eye to eye on this issue and must be content to respectfully "agree to disagree". Sincerely, Karen

Hello Karen, Please be open towards a new posting style that offers correction that is unbiased and timely in it's reproach and equal in fervor in it's application. Adherence to commitment towards blog etiquette expected from all posters and equal reproach for blog/forum transgressors would be optimal. There is general blog tenor and there are also blog facts that with a little research will leave you with a better understanding about what is taking place in these forums. Sincerely, friendo

No my strong comments about "distorted stench" and "fumigation" are based in fact and not an equal violation of blog rules. Strong comments based in fact. If you do your homework with the MB you will understand why I say this.

Thank you KarenPearsall for trying, but it is quite clear that Friendo here does not want to discuss the topic of this blog, crime in the central valley, local politics in general, or anything of substance. All users are perfectly capable of creating his or her own blogs in this forum. Why Friendo chooses to hijack my simple blog about an is a disappointing display to say the least.

If anyone would like to actually discuss how the Mayor completely sold out Manteca, please, let me know.

Hello crimeriddendump, The quote from the Mayor bothered me, but in all fairness, I could see that he could have been taken out of context or simply not expressed himself in an effective manner. While I do agree with him that there are other factors, besides the number of police officers, that affect the emergence and proliferation of gangs, one can not "blame" it on lack of community involvement or failures of the citizens. While families, friends, churches, and schools definitely can have an impact on behavior or gang involvement at the local level, how are Manteca citizens or Manteca churches or Manteca schools responsible for crimes committed in Manteca perpetrated by gang members who originate outside the city, such as Stockton or San Jose? Many times the Bulletin will note that the accused are from outside cities. In those cases, if Manteca had a larger police force, these officers could be in more areas of the city (or a greater show of force in problem-prone sections) and perhaps prevent the assaults or at least cut down on response time. One of the most disturbing things that I read was how the city had an $8 million reserve fund for public safety, but until recently only used the INTEREST on this money to pay for much needed police officers. Unbelievable!!! Sincerely, Karen

You bring up two very important points KarenPearsall.

1) The $8 Million in public safety dollars. Why did the Bulletin and the City act two years ago as if there was no money to pay for any police? Again, it would seem as if the city and Bulletin were deliberately trying to misinform the public to sell the idea of the police layoff without having to touch their "slush fund."

2) Have you ever seen ANY Manteca leader take ANY responsibility for city shortcomings or failures? I know that if we all listed to this mayor talk , and this paper report, Weatherford has never doen wrong in his life. It is ALWAYS someone else's fault with him. Given his record, why even have a mayor at all? Save a pile of money each year and just replace ce the Manteca mayor with a poster of Bart Simpson saying "I didn't do it."

I don't think "Unbelievable" is the right word. Dennis Wyatt and the City Council have a long history of deceiving the public. It is just more disappointing that the mayor is actually right. If the people of Manteca actually cared, people like Weatherford would not be Mayor and people like Dennis Wyatt would not be able to lie to the public without consequence.

Its much easier to complain than it is to fix something. I am not a fan of our mayor, but addressing gangs or just crime, especially during hard economic times is a challenge. You either chase the problem, or you impose dictatorial power, which just makes everyone a criminal, or a prisoner in their own home.

One quick question, how much is the interest on the $8 million fund? If you were to spend the $8 million, what would you be spending it on?

I was running a distribution center back in the midwest, and I needed to ramp up my labor force quickly. I had a young lady working in my office who told me that her boyfriend and some of his friends were looking for work, so I hired them. They were good kids who showed up everyday, and worked hard. Then one day one of them didn't show up, or call, and when pressed for answers, the boyfriend told me that the missing employee had been shot and killed the night before. I came to find out that I had hired a street gang, and this person had been killed due to that fact. I asked the boyfriend why they were in a gang, and not taking advantage of the money they were making to start new. He stated that they did not see themselves as having that long of a future, and that they did not want to end up beaten down and broken like their parents.

Since growing up during the Vietnam era, and seeing young people used to further someone else's political causes, I have been anti-military service, but if we had politicians who used the military responsibly, I would say that implementing a draft for ALL 18 year olds, it would be a wise step to changing the future for many young people. It would take young people with a lot of idle time, and give them discipline, and a sense of belonging. It would also give them a big "gang" to belong to, and to understand fellowship.

This is a practice in many countries, such as Israel, where the young are required to serve two years active duty, and then 4 years reserves. That is a country that is really under the threat of attack at any given time, and needs a unified citizenship. We could follow their example, and give our youth direction so they can get a better start, and not be distractive due to what they perceive as a limited future. If every 18 year old had to serve regardless of class status, the Congress and the President might be less inclined to use the military so freely since they may have family at stake. Once a kid finishes his two years, he is free to go to work or to school if that is their intent.

Our mayor isn't going to solve a problem so big, he will only be able to chase the issue until people can go back to work and/or living lives with a future. I am sure there are more thinks he can do, he just isn't sure what they are. Its much easier to be mayor when times are good.

Hello TheSovereign, According to the Bulletin article printed on 6-28-12, (I think it was headlined "Take back Manteca") the highest interest earned was $430,788 in 2009-2010 while the interest dropped to $126,215 in 2010-2011. The interest was used to fund two police positions. The shift to accessing the safety funds brings the new additional spending to $591,000 per year for 3 gang detectives and one supervising sergeant (for a total of 4 police positions). This does not include the 2 officers funded by just the interest amount, nor does it include the money going to firefighters and the new fire station. So I figure the amount spent on the interest-only 2 officers is probably around $295,000 per year. If I had a reserve fund of EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS specially designated for public safety, I would spend at least half of that over a period of 5 years to beef up police and firefighters in the areas where there was the most need. In other words, I wouldn't do a 50/50 split if our city was bombarded by gang shootings and criminal activity. Instead I would put the most resources to police, if that is what the situation demanded. I understand the Mayor has a difficult job and can not come up with solutions single handed. But he SHOULD be a galvanizing source for change. Too often it feels like he or city management provides rosy press releases to the Bulletin or city staff supplies Dennis Wyatt with questionable figures. It feels like that very crude saying, "Don't "pee" on my leg and then tell me it is raining".
Having been a teenager during the Vietnam war, I remember thinking how scary the draft was, how powerless it made us feel, the dread that my friends' lottery numbers might get picked and the sheer terror that if the war dragged on long enough, my brother could face being drafted, sent to Vietnam, and possibly be killed. I respect the men and women in our Armed Services and the difficult jobs that they do, but such service should remain a choice. I am completely against a military draft. However, 1 or 2 years of public service (in the local community, statewide, nationally, or globally) expected of citizens could be a good idea. Sincerely, Karen