Council pays $10,900 for “sensitivity training”

Council pays $10,900 for “sensitivity training”

Commentary by Carmen Sabatino

Thanks to George Russell’s request that the city of Modesto repair the flagless flagpole at the King Kennedy center and the column of Jeff Jardine on March 8 it appears the city will have to do the right thing.

Jardine reports that a few thousand dollars would repair the flagpole while the city of Modesto makes spending $75,000 to feed and house Amgen bicyclists a priority.

The vote by the Council led by former Mayor Garrad Marsh was not wise and the flagpole issue enabled  Jardine. to make the contrast.

Jardine reports that new Mayor Ted Brandvold promises to fix the problem.

Given the facts, it is a “slamdunk” for the Mayor to replace the flagpole that has needed to be replaced for 2 ½ years.

The more difficult task is for the Mayor to investigate how the deal with Amgen can be reversed and save the $75,000.

Jardine gives well-earned praise to councilmembers Kristi Ah You, Bill Zoslocki,and Manny Grewaal for their no vote on the gift to Amgen

Kristi Ah You another good grade by her opposition to spending $10,900 on a consultant to conduct a planning session.

“We pay the city manager and 2  deputy city manager’s more than a half  million dollars a year combined and they can’t lead a four-hour meeting.” Ah You said”

I attended the planning session in a more apt description would be that it was “sensitivity training” which is available at no cost.

The true figure is that the city lost $250,000 on the go kart races. Jardine sCOUNCIL,FLAGPOLE,ays the city had $8000 in payouts to restaurants for sales they lost, and $29,000 in police overtime. I am sure they were most grateful.