In opting to become the nation's largest city to seek federal bankruptcy protection, the city of Stockton took a rare financial step of last resort after struggling with the economic downturn, soaring pension costs and contractual obligations.
Thirteen cities, counties and other government entities filed for bankruptcy protection last year — the highest annual level in nearly two decades. Stockton was the seventh U.S. municipality to file this year and the first California city since Vallejo, which sought protection in 2008, according to James Spiotto, a Chicago bankruptcy attorney who tracks municipal bankruptcies.
Subscription Required
An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.
Login
Online services
-
1
E-edition$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel but want to read the e-edition of the newspaper, please chhose this option.
-
2
Lodinews.com Subscription$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view more than 20 articles per month, please choose this option.
Current print subscribers
-
1
Businesses with Print SubscriptionsNo additional cost.
If you are a business with a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
-
2
Current Print SubscribersNo additional cost.
If you are a current print subscriber to the Lodi News-Sentinel (and are not subscribed as a business), please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
You must login to view the full content on this page.
Thank you for reading 20 free articles on our site. You can come back at the end of your 30-day period for another 20 free articles, or you can purchase a subscription at this time and continue to enjoy valuable local news and information. If you need help, please contact our office at 209-369-2761. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.
Login
Online services
-
1
E-edition$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel but want to read the e-edition of the newspaper, please chhose this option.
-
2
Lodinews.com Subscription$9.75 for 30 days$28.50 for 91 days$52.50 for 182 days$99.00 for 365 days
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view more than 20 articles per month, please choose this option.
Current print subscribers
-
1
Businesses with Print SubscriptionsNo additional cost.
If you are a business with a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
-
2
Current Print SubscribersNo additional cost.
If you are a current print subscriber to the Lodi News-Sentinel (and are not subscribed as a business), please choose this option for FREE online access. You will need to know your account number to finalize accessing this service. If you do not know your account number, please contact us at 209-333-1400.
Ronald Brown posted at 11:01 am on Fri, Jun 29, 2012.
“I’m a first-generation American. I’m grounded in my family’s small business, which is where I learned the value of a dollar.” — Ricky Gill
Really? I am still perplexed how someone who only made $10,000 in income last year can loan their campaign $143,000. In order to help join the discussion of job creation, it is of utmost importance to have or had a full time job. Ricky Gill has never had or has a full time job (San Francisco Chronicle 10/17/2011).
I guess with Ricky's "extensive" involvement in the family business he speaks for farmer's everywhere!! ROFL!! I know the fall is busy for most agribusinesses, but I am still trying to comprehend how Ricky managed to commute between Berkeley and Princeton over the last seven years to aid his family's enterprise. Can someone explain this to me?
I am confused by Ricky's "evolving" business experience. I need to reflect upon it with a nice King 888. LOL!!
Stuart Klein posted at 1:08 pm on Wed, Jun 27, 2012.
The people in our district have been long forgotten by our national government. The tax dollars we send to them have a hard time finding their way back when the man that was supposed to be representing OUR interests, Jerry McNerney, has totally failed to do so. He never fails to vote along party lines, siding with Pelosi 98% of the time. He has only ever lived in the bay area, and had to rent a house in Stockton to get residency to even run. You can bet he will not actually be spending time here though as his wife is still living in Pleasanton, with no plans of moving. She can't even vote for him in November! He has voted time and again on legislation that hurts farmers, even though agriculture is the heart and soul of our district. It accounts for about 50% of local GDP. How can you expect Stockton or any other local city to prosper when its congressional "representation" is actively working against it? It will simply be impossible for jobs or wealth to grow in Stockton while McNerney is the only voice we have. Without growth the viscous cycle that Stockton is trapped in will never end.
His challenger Gill was born and raised in San Joaquin county. His family grows grapes and cherries so he understands the issues that plague our local farmers. He knows the people that live here and the hardships they have had to endure, so he will be able to ACTUALLY represent their interests on the national level. And unlike McNerney (who has raised all his money from special interests and Pelosi) he has been able to fund his campaign from local donations. Without the voice that he could give out district in Congress, district 9 will continue to stagnate and Stockton's bankruptcy will only be the start of the pain.