ANOTHER ELECTION SCANDAL

Another election scandal

The City of Modesto and Stanislaus County are involved in another election scandal.

Working with New City America Incorporated, Josh Bridegroom at the city of Modesto has brought the Council the idea of creating a Downtown  Modesto Community Benefit District. (CBD)

The idea is to force all downtown property owners within the created district to pay additional taxes called fees in order to beautify and market downtown Modesto.

In order to put the new ordinance into effect the property owners within the district must vote to have it created.

The opponents of the plan must gather 51% of the vote to stop the process.

Ballots have been sent out and voting has started in advance of the public hearing on Tuesday, August 11.

The fees are based on a weighted value of the property assessments, which includes public buildings.

That gives the city15% head start in the vote. In addition, they possess a 30% endorsement by petition.

Ballot instructions to property owners said the ballots were to be turned in by August 11, the same night, the city will hold a public hearing.

Now more of the scandal

On July 9 a revised ballot was mailed to the property owners telling them to throw away the first ballot, vote the new ballot and return it to the city before the revised date of September 1 for the public meeting.

Since Mayor Marsh has no comment, the city attorney should advise as to whether or not allowing the city to vote on taxing public property for the first time to make extra money for the city.

DO YOU THINK THE ELECTION IS "RIGGED"?