Badlands Journal
Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
8-1-09
Chowchilla News
20 Unknown Facts About Water...Water Damage Team...7-29-09
http://www.thechowchillanews.com/100/v-print/story/7383.html
Every human needs water to survive, however water can also cause flash flooding and cost thousands of dollars in water damage restoration fees. But how much do we really know about it?
Merced's Medical Assistance Program, which provides medical care to among the county's poorest residents, needs $500,000 or it will have to cut 400 patients off its eligibility list. The issue was heard at the July 21, 2009 Merced County Board of Supervisors meeting and board consideration of this issue will continue at the August 18, 2009 meeting.
Badlands Journal editorial board has several suggestions for the supervisors that would avoid cutting 400 patients off the MAP program, sending them to the far more expensive emergency room.
8-3-09
Badlands Journal
Medical Assistance Program emergency...Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-02/007348
8-4-09
Badlands Journal
Racism in Atwater City Hall...Bill Hatch
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-04/007350
The Merced Sun-Star recently reported on a number of pornographic racist emails being channeled through an Atwater City Hall computer server by Councilman Gary Frago. Last week, Atwater City Council held a hearing on the issue at the community center. About 300 people showed up.
The Merced Sun-Star recently reported on a number of pornographic racist emails being channeled through an Atwater City Hall computer server by Councilman Gary Frago. Last week, Atwater City Council held a hearing on the issue at the community center. About 300 people showed up.
To remove any suspense from this report, after hearing the testimony of 58 members of the public and oratory from four council members, the council voted unanimously (Frago not permitted to vote) 4-0, to direct staff to draft a letter of reprimand to Frago..
8-5-09
Stockton Record
The Legislature speaks...Alex Breitler's Blog
http://blogs.recordnet.com/sr-abreitler
Legislative leaders today released language for a series of Delta-related bills; advocates have been screaming for these details for months.
We invite you to join us in enjoying the fine journalism of the two best water writers in the state, Lloyd Carter and Dan Bacher, whose courageous writing is animated by the idea that people, wildlife and fish species, and natural resources matter and that California should not be ruled absolutely by finance, insurance and real estate special interests.
Badlands Journal editorial board
7-30-09
lloydgcarter.com
THIRSTY DOWN IN NOBAMA COUNTY
8-6-09
Badlands Journal
Latest in California water scams, shenanigans and boondoggles...Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-05/007353
8-7-09
Merced Sun-Star
Letter: Squelching speech...JOHN LUTZ, Atwater
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/180/v-print/story/990700.html
Editor: President Obama and the "left" have stooped to calling good American citizens right-wing radicals, extremist and fanatics who are organized angry mobs being planted at town hall meetings to oppose Obama's health care reform.
8-8-09
Merced Sun-Star
Cardoza won't hold town hall meetings...MICHAEL DOYLE and JOHN ELLIS, McClatchy Newspapers
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/992320.html
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, has opted not to schedule traditional town hall meetings during the congressional August recess, his press secretary said Friday.
8-9-09
Sacramento Bee
Amid drought, Sacramento water use climbed...Charles Piller
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/v-print/story/2094423.html
As the state entered a severe drought, many of the city of Sacramento's biggest water users increased their watering dramatically, including some familiar locations: the City Cemetery, Land Park and Curtis Park.
8-10-09
Fresno Bee
Assembly candidate given $2,900 after Wal-Mart OK...John Ellis
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/v-print/story/1587239.html
A development company seeking to build a controversial Wal-Mart Supercenter in Clovis donated $2,900 to Bob Whalen's state Assembly campaign the day after he cast a key City Council vote on the project.
Denny, the musician, speaks:
8-11-09
Badlands Journal
Cardoza refuses to hold town hall meetings on health-care reform...Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-10/007359
Denny, the musician, speaks:
8-12-09
Merced Sun-Star
City turns over hundreds of e-mails sent by Frago...JONAH OWEN LAMB
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/998044.html
8-13-09
Merced Sun-Star
Atwater City Council rebukes Frago
Councilman reprimanded in letter; Joe Rivero to be mayor pro tem...JONAH OWEN LAMB
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/999956.html
ATWATER -- The City Council reprimanded Councilman Gary Frago for sending racist e-mails in a letter on Wednesday night before more than 90 spectators in Atwater's community center.
The Unforgettable Commencement Address by Paul Hawken to the Class of 2009, University of Portland, May 3, 2009
8-14-09
Badlands Journal
The Unforgettable Commencement Address by Paul Hawken to the Class of 2009, University of Portland, May 3, 2009...Badlands Journal editorial board.http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-14/007363
The Unforgettable Commencement Address by Paul Hawken to the Class of 2009, University of Portland, May 3, 2009
8-15-09
Merced Sun-Star
Wal-Mart center process starts Wednesday
Planners get the proposal first and then will make a recommendation to the City Council...SCOTT JASON
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1003853.html
Wal-Mart's proposed distribution center will have its first round of public debate Wednesday.
8-13-09
Truthdig.com
Chris Hedges on Alex S. Jones’ ‘Losing the News’
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/20090813_chris_hedges_on_alex_s_jones_losing_the_news/
Posted on Aug 13, 2009
By Chris Hedges
8-16-09
UC Merced picked for solar energy project...DANIELLE GAINES...8-15-09
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1003839.html
UC Merced has been chosen as the lead campus on a new University of California program aimed at developing alternative renewable energy sources.
8-17-09
Merced Sun-Star
Mercedian researching Pacific's 'garbage patch'...JONAH OWEN LAMB
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1006344.html
In the late hours of Aug. 3, Darcy Taniguchi was trawling for plankton from a research vessel somewhere off the coast of San Diego.
On August 12, the Atwater City Council held its second meeting on how to avoid dealing with the rampant racism within its city hall and within the town. The two agenda items that were supposed to smooth this over were:
3.1 Consideration of a Letter Expressing the City Council’s Disapproval of Former Mayor Pro Tempore Frago’s Actions in Forwarding Inappropriate Emails to City Staff
4.1 Selection of a City Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore (i.e. instead of Frago, the present mayor pro tempore)
8-18-09
Badlands Journal
Frago, round two...
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-17/007369
On August 12, the Atwater City Council held its second meeting on how to avoid dealing with the rampant racism within its city hall and within the town. The two agenda items that were supposed to smooth this over were:
8-19-09
Merced Sun-Star
Wal-Mart sides sharpen their battle plans
City Planning Commission hearing today takes a look at proposal...SCOTT JASON
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1009943.html
A full-page color ad touting jobs, benefits and business.
A television ad decrying road congestion, pollution and noise.
8-20-09
Merced Sun-Star
Jobs in forefront as Merced planners consider Wal-Mart distribution center...SCOTT JASON
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1012021.html
A stream of residents, many wearing pins emblazoned with the word "jobs," marched to the microphone Wednesday to urge the Merced Planning Commission to support the proposed Wal-Mart distribution center.
On June 6, 2008, Badlands Journal editors wrote an article comparing the 1974 movie classic, "Chinatown," with the campaign against the ecology of the Delta and for a peripheral canal and more dams fomented by Westlands Water District, finance, insurance and real estate interests and the Hun, our governor. At the time we were taking a measure of the rhetoric being used to frighten residents of the state already made anxious by the collapse of the speculative real estate bubble.
8-21-09
Badlands Journal
"Chinatown" all over again...Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-20/007374
8-22-09
Merced Sun-Star
Wal-Mart project back before planners...Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1016220.html
The Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Monday to continue the public hearing on the Wal-Mart distribution center.
Water Resources, the Public Trust doctrine and Racanelli
by
Felix E. Smith *
Abstract
8-23-09
Badlands Journal
Water Resources, the Public Trust doctrine and Racanelli…Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-23/007377
Water Resources, the Public Trust doctrine and Racanelli by Felix E. Smith *
Abstract
8-24-09
Merced Sun-Star
Sounds of hammering is music to Livingston...JONAH OWEN LAMB
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1018242.html
LIVINGSTON -- While much of the county's once-frenzied building has come to a standstill, some hammering can be heard in Livingston.
It's not exactly a turnaround, but city officials are taking what they can get from the weak economy.
8-25-09
Merced Sun-Star
Planning commission recommends approval for Wal-Mart distribution center...SCOTT JASON
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1020067.html
Support for the proposed Wal-Mart distribution center gained more momentum Monday with the Merced Planning Commission unanimously recommending its approval.
8-26-09
Badlands Journal
Cardoza, gutless wonder...Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-26/007382
Planning and Conservation League
August 26, 2009
Court Supports Claims that the High Speed Rail Authority's Environmental Review is Faulty
The visit from Hoyer highlights Cardoza's pull in Washington at a time when he's facing vocal critics at home. It's also notable that he didn't invite San Francisco-based Pelosi, who could have tarnished his reputation as a Blue Dog -- fiscally conservative -- Democrat. -- Merced Sun-Star, Aug. 26, 2009
8-27-09
Badlands Journal
High-speed rail EIR inadequate… Badlands Journal editorial board
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2009-08-27/007384
Planning and Conservation League
August 26, 2009
Court Supports Claims that the High Speed Rail Authority's Environmental Review is Faulty
8-28-09
Merced Sun-Star
Merced car parts supplier may feel impacts of Toyota plant closure...Ken Thomas, The Associated Press. Sun-Star reporter Danielle Gaines and Modesto Bee reports contributed to this article.
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/275/v-print/story/1025609.html
8-29-09
Merced Sun-Star
Merced's Arvin Sango will keep going for now
Company is going to assess NUMMI closing's impact...DANIELLE GAINES
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1027937.html
For now, workers at Arvin Sango will continue business as usual, Executive Vice President Dan Baughman said Friday.
8-30-09
Modesto Bee
Just show us the money: The ball is in Cardoza's court...Mark Vasché
http://www.modbee.com/2397/v-print/story/835020.html
Steny Hoyer said he came to the San Joaquin Valley this week to get a firsthand look at one of the hardest hit areas in the nation.
8-31-09
Merced Sun-Star
EPA to grant delay in Central Valley ozone cleanup
Local air districts will now have until 2024 to meet requirements of campaign...MARK GROSSI, The Fresno Bee
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/1030115.html
FRESNO -- Ending years of debate, federal officials are about to grant an 11-year delay for the San Joaquin Valley's ozone cleanup campaign.
Let's make a deal