Here’s the story I wrote on prayer for today’s paper. I figured I’d add some links if you want more information:
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is currently working on another lawsuit in California relating to tax code benefits for ministers.The foundation and 21 of its California members, including Karen Buchanan, filed suit Friday, and the news release describe the case as “nationally-significant.” Here’s the press release the foundation sent out on the case.
Also, click here if you want to hear Karen Buchanan talk about Lodi’s decision to continue prayer.
To read the proposed policy the council will consider, open the council agenda here. Click on item E-13.
I hope everyone had a good weekend. I know it was busy in Lodi with the School Street Stroll and the Roland Cheney statue revealing in front of the Chamber of Commerce.
This week some important decisions will be made in Lodi on some issues that I know our readers have been following closely.
• Prayer: Wednesday is the big night for the council to vote on what its policy will be on prayers before council meetings. The council voted on Sept. 30 to not censor anyone giving an invocation, so religious references will be allowed, including saying “Jesus Christ.” The council also added stipulations to make sure a wide variety of people are included.
• Transit: The city needs to cut $373,000 from its transit budget. This could result in a reduction or elimination of hours or services. Here’s the most recent story on forums the city held to discuss the proposed cuts.
• A senior community: The city will take the next step to move forward with purchasing property on Tienda Drive for an affordable senior housing project.
In Galt on Tuesday, the council will receive an update on the city budget, decide how to replace state cuts in property taxes and discuss park curfews.
Also, if you are out of a job or just want some financial information on staying afloat in this economy, Galt will be hosting a town hall meeting and career expo Wednesday. The meeting, organized by Councilman Andrew Meredith, will be called “When the Paycheck Stops.” It will focus on creating a post lay-off fianncial plan, dealing with creditors and advice on how to keep food on the table. There will also be information on the programs utility companies have to help residents.
Here’s a press release for more information. I will also have a small preview story in Tuesday or Wednesday’s paper.
Now I have some questions for you. I’d love to get some feedback on the story format I used this weekend. I did a main story on the possibility of rent stabilization for mobile home parks in Galt. Instead of one long story, I broke it into three other components. I had a mini-story on what proponents of a rent ordinance had to say, another on what opponents had to say and a story on Fairfield, where all the large mobile home parks are owned by the tenants. I did something similar with a Delta Greens story.
I know everyone out there is busy, so I thought this is a good way to break up a complex issue. Is it still too much information at once? Do you like this approach? Is there any other issues you think would benefit from this type of format?
Specifically, with rent stabilization, are there any questions that are unanswered? You can comment or send me an e-mail at maggiec@lodinews.com.
We have all hands on deck working to cover the storm!
But we need your help too. See limbs down? Is your power out? Having to take a detour to avoid an accident? Call us at 369-7035 or e-mail us at news@lodinews.com. You can also e-mail me at maggiec@lodinews.com.
Monday Moment of Happiness;
Today while checking police logs, I came across this item:
7:38 a.m. Sunday— A caller witnessed a male in his mid-30s in black shorts and a blue jacket take his neighbors paper in the 800 block of Lloyd Street. The caller yelled at him to put it back.
Some people really want to read the paper in the morning.
Hope everyone had a good weekend enjoying the weather before big storms come Tuesday.
So what is coming up this week, you eagerly ask?
• The General Plan! The Lodi Planning Commission will discuss the comprehensive document that will guide development decisions for the next 20 years.
Why should you care? It is one of the first steps in creating Lodi’s future. Want Lodi to have more mixed use neighborhoods? More bike paths? More industry east of 99? This is the document that will shape all of those decisions. Check out the paper Tuesday for information on how to get involved and let the city know what you think.
You can download a copy of the plan here.
Transit: There will be another meeting to hear from the public about possible transportation cuts because of a shortfall in state funding. City staff might also approach you on a bus to hear your opinions and fill out a survey. Here’s what happened at the last public input meeting.
Got any news? I’m always looking for new ideas! Leave a comment, call me at 369-7035 or e-mail me at maggiec@lodinews.com. If you prefer the challenge of 140-characters, you can tweet us: http://twitter.com/lodinews
Compared with the 700 people in Hutchins Street Square last week arguing about prayer, only about 30 people were at the Lodi City Council meeting tonight to hear the invocation.
The city’s policy requiring all prayers are “non-sectarian, non-denominational” was still in place on Wednesday night. Pastor Mark Price of St. Paul Lutheran Church delivered a short prayer and did not mention Jesus Christ.
“Let us pray. Loving creator, who is known by many names, let your ways of creative love be known among the leaders of our city and those that they serve,” Price said.
The council will vote on a revised policy allowing uncensored prayers at an upcoming meeting.
Usually I don’t pass along comments on our stories, but I found this today on the blessing of the animal story. The prayer debate continues…
weezer wrote on Oct 5, 2009 12:43 PM:
“In related news, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is threatening to sue the animals.”
Lodian wrote on Oct 5, 2009 1:02 PM:
“Nope, the animals had already voted not to have an invocation at this event.”
Upcoming this week:
• The Lodi City Council will get their first look at possible cuts to the transit system Tuesday morning.
• Walker Park in Galt will take its first steps with a ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday. I plan to take a look at what the first stages of the project will be for a story Wednesday.
• And finally, the Lodi City Council will be considering a couple different things:
— Consider increasing rates for solid waste collection.
— Consider awarding a $2.8 million contract to a consultant for water meter planning, design and program management. I should have more on this for Thursday’s paper.
After last nights Lodi City Council decision, Lodi United founder David Diskin says he wishes the city would have eliminated prayers before the meeting and gone to a moment of silence, but he will respect the council’s decision.
However, as the policy gets approved by the council at a future meeting and goes into practice, Lodi United will still be watching.
He hopes the invocations still remain non-denominational, non-sectarian and that the city reaches out to more faiths. He would like to give the other option of “A Call to Civic Responsibility.” But if religious leaders start proselytizing, the group will consider legal action.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, is a little more blunt about it. She said her Madison, Wis.-based organization will sue either Lodi, Tracy, Turlock or Tehachapi but has not decided which city. She said the foundation will need to sue because all of the cities are disrespecting the law and previous court decisions.
Read more in Friday’s Sentinel.
I sleepily went to the Lodi City Council shirtsleeve at 7 a.m. this morning to hear about how the city is planning to handle swine flu. The vaccines for that swine flu strand will not be available until middle or late October. More on that in Wednesday’s paper.
But now is the time to get a seasonal flu shot to protect against the usual flu strand that goes around every winter. San Joaquin Public Health Services will be offering it to some people for free Wednesday.
If you are in one of the following groups, you can get one for free between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday.
• Pregnant
• A child between the ages of 3-years-old and 18-years-old.
• Uninsured or underinsured
• A person aged 50 or older
• A health care worker
• A person with long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
The locations given the vaccines include:
Lodi Health Center
300 W. Oak St.
Lodi, CA 95240
331-7303
Stockton Health Center
1601 E. Hazelton Ave.
Stockton, CA 95205
468-3830
Manteca Health Center
124 Sycamore Ave.
Manteca, CA 95336
823-7104
Tracy Health Center
205 W. Ninth St.
Tracy, CA 95376
831-5930
September 29th, 2009 in
General by
Maggie |
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Happy Tuesday!
In today’s paper, I wrote a story about a group threatening to display on billboards how Lodi City Council members vote on prayers before meetings.
Here’s the Klingenschmitt_Letter if you want to take a look. The council will have a special meeting to decide on whether to change its policy regarding prayers before meetings. If you are catching up on this issue, here’s a story from this weekend on what could happen Wednesday.
September 29th, 2009 in
General by
Maggie |
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Why is California broke? I have heard many thoughts thrown around about why California has continuously had boom-to-bust cycles. The Bee did a comprehensive three-day series exploring reasons why the state is in a budget crisis.
Here are links to the stories:
‘Going Broke’ is a historical look at how California reached today’s state of fiscal distress
SUNDAY California’s tax system makes it vulnerable to economic conditions.
MONDAY At the Capitol, “a penny saved” is an unknown concept.
TUESDAY When it comes to budgeting, California voters like to do it themselves.
Also, the Bee did a live chat today inviting readers to ask questions about the stories. When you click on the link, scroll down and click on the tab for “Completed Events” to see a transcript of the discussion.
September 22nd, 2009 in
General by
Maggie |
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