Seniors get “kicked to the curb” in controversial Turlock plan to house mentally ill | Opinion
Setting the record straight
“Turlock should support plans to house mentally ill folks,” (modbee.com, Feb. 25)
A recent letter to the editor concerning the proposed facility in Turlock to “house mentally ill individuals in a former senior care home” incorrectly stated that “those who have severe mental illnesses will not be placed in this facility.” The contract between Stanislaus County and A & A Health Services says otherwise.
According to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors’ November 7, 2023 agenda, Item 5.B.1, the contract between the county and A & A Health Services, states: “...the priority population for Behavioral Health Bridge Housing funding are individuals enrolled in Care Court and the secondary population are new individuals with Severe Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorder or Co-Occurring Disorder that are homeless and/or at imminent risk of homelessness.”
On page 10 of the same agenda item, it is stated: “The program is specifically directed toward adults with severe psychiatric conditions.” People should search out the facts before condemning an entire group of people.
I also find it disturbing that, in all of this, seniors who need care have been kicked to the curb and no one seems to care.
Ron Bridegroom
Turlock
Care for all neighbors
“Salvation Army asks Modesto to help fund its 180-bed shelter. How much does it need?” (modbee.com, Nov. 30, 2023)
Dear neighbors: Are you aware of the low funding for our neighbors in need of assisted housing? Struggling families are forced to leave homeless shelters due to a lack of shelter beds? Families at the shelter dread hearing the words, “I’m sorry, you have to leave tomorrow.”
These families try to keep their chins up, and keep their children calm. Wake up, Modesto. We must love all people, and care for our unhoused neighbors.
Lena Mae Shirley
Modesto
Opinion
Delayed safety check
“California is losing its monarch butterfly population,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 2, 2023)
Your health has been at the bottom of California’s to-do list for 13 years. In 2011, state scientists identified 82 pesticides as “high priority” for safety reevaluations. So far, they have reevaluated only nine.
California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation’s budget proposal neglects reevaluations in favor of faster pesticide approval. Tell your legislators to amend DPR’s budget to prioritize safety.
Californians are exposed to 1,052 pesticide chemicals in agriculture, buildings and parks. DPR’s budget proposal promises 3,500 “actions” each year to approve new pesticides. But DPR only commits to safety reevaluations of five pesticide chemicals per year. At that pace, it would take decades to reevaluate even a fraction of California’s pesticides.
We need state scientists working for us, not the pesticide industry.
Catherine Dodd, PhD, RN
Michael Zeiss, PhD
Suisun City
Working against consumers
“Proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger is a ‘rotten deal’ for California, argues AG Rob Bonta,” (sacbee.com, Feb 27)
Contrary to the Federal Trade Commission’s statements, blocking Kroger’s merger with Albertsons will actually harm the very people the FTC purports to serve: America’s consumers and workers.
The FTC’s decision makes it more likely that consumers will see higher food prices and fewer grocery stores at a time when communities across the country are already facing high inflation and food deserts. This decision only strengthens larger, unauthorized retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon by allowing them to further increase their overwhelming and growing dominance of the grocery industry.
Paul Bacon
Hallandale Beach, Fla.
