In the Calling a Spade a Spade Department, the Tracy Press Inc. — which publishes the Tracy Press newspaper — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
What this means is that the company has a chance to reorganize its financial house and plan a path back to a stronger financial position.
What it doesn't mean is that the Tracy Press is shutting down.
The Tracy Press will continue publishing in print every Friday and on the Web at www.tracypress.com every day. We're still going to be here in the newsroom tracking down the stories that matter to this community.
As we said when we went to a once-a-week print publishing schedule: We're part of this city, and we're not going anywhere.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tracy councilman endorses McNerney
Sometimes, local politics makes for alliances that transcend petty party affiliation.
Such was the case this week when Republican Councilman Steve Abercrombie gave his endorsement to Democrat Rep. Jerry McNerney.
Such thumbs ups don't happen much on the national stage, where blind partisanship and staying on the party message often take precedence. But locally, this kind of thing happens all the time, with Democrats endorsing effective Republicans and GOP-ers giving the high sign to worthy Dems.
Because when you talk local politics, it's about getting things done. Being available and active. Oh, and bringing money to the district. (That means earmarks, and it's something we'll get into later when we discuss the ongoing local congressional race.)
After all, red and blue don't really matter when you're talking green.
Such was the case this week when Republican Councilman Steve Abercrombie gave his endorsement to Democrat Rep. Jerry McNerney.
Such thumbs ups don't happen much on the national stage, where blind partisanship and staying on the party message often take precedence. But locally, this kind of thing happens all the time, with Democrats endorsing effective Republicans and GOP-ers giving the high sign to worthy Dems.
Because when you talk local politics, it's about getting things done. Being available and active. Oh, and bringing money to the district. (That means earmarks, and it's something we'll get into later when we discuss the ongoing local congressional race.)
After all, red and blue don't really matter when you're talking green.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy fiscal new year!
Today is the true beginning of the year, as far as government, schools and other such agencies are concerned. But there's not a lot of reason to break out the bubbly and confetti.
There's still no state budget in Sacramento — and while that might not exactly be new for our dysfunctional Legislature, it's still news. And another Fail.
Whatever compromise eventually comes together and is signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it will likely mean more pain for school districts such as Tracy Unified, which have already had to lay off teachers, cut community favorite programs and increase class sizes.
The outlook is gloomy for cities, too. Tracy projects a deficit next year, unless there's some miraculous economic turnaround that no one expects.
In fact, things are likely to get worse before they get better. Not only is the economy not likely to turn around, but federal stimulus money that has been pouring into state, city and school coffers isn't going to run forever.
Yup. It looks like a bleak new year.
There's still no state budget in Sacramento — and while that might not exactly be new for our dysfunctional Legislature, it's still news. And another Fail.
Whatever compromise eventually comes together and is signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it will likely mean more pain for school districts such as Tracy Unified, which have already had to lay off teachers, cut community favorite programs and increase class sizes.
The outlook is gloomy for cities, too. Tracy projects a deficit next year, unless there's some miraculous economic turnaround that no one expects.
In fact, things are likely to get worse before they get better. Not only is the economy not likely to turn around, but federal stimulus money that has been pouring into state, city and school coffers isn't going to run forever.
Yup. It looks like a bleak new year.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Doing the civic duty
Yesterday, I performed my civic duty by standing in line, waiting in a room, and explaning to a judge why I couldn't perform my civic duty.
Yes, I was called to Stockton for jury duty today, and it was a fail. On my part.
Judge William Morris gave a stirring speech in Department 14 of the superior court house in downtown Stockton, invoking patriotism, civil responsibility and the guarding of our democracy to encourage prospective jurors not to offer phony claims of "hardship" to get out of jury duty.
So it was with trepidation that I stood up and told the judge that I couldn't afford going without pay for the two weeks the trial was scheduled for.
It was the truth, but it didn't make me feel any better.
Serving on a jury and supporting the criminal justice system is one of the most basic requirements of citizenship in the United States, and the more people who shirk that duty, the worse the system is.
Yes, I was called to Stockton for jury duty today, and it was a fail. On my part.
Judge William Morris gave a stirring speech in Department 14 of the superior court house in downtown Stockton, invoking patriotism, civil responsibility and the guarding of our democracy to encourage prospective jurors not to offer phony claims of "hardship" to get out of jury duty.
So it was with trepidation that I stood up and told the judge that I couldn't afford going without pay for the two weeks the trial was scheduled for.
It was the truth, but it didn't make me feel any better.
Serving on a jury and supporting the criminal justice system is one of the most basic requirements of citizenship in the United States, and the more people who shirk that duty, the worse the system is.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Signs of life in downtown
Good Start Nutrition is set to open soon in downtown Tracy at 917 N. Central Ave.
While Second Thoughts doesn't know exactly what GSN is (we're making an educated guess that it has to do with food for young'uns) it's a good sign that a business is opening its doors in downtown.
However, we question whether the location is the best fit. The venerable and tastefully expanded 12 Monkeys — in this space's opinion, far and away the best house of ink Tracy has to offer — is right next door.
Although there could be countless tie-ins waiting to happen.
• Baby portraits for your back
• "Hot Mama" discounts
• Matching tats for Mom and Dad specials
OK ... so maybe not.
While Second Thoughts doesn't know exactly what GSN is (we're making an educated guess that it has to do with food for young'uns) it's a good sign that a business is opening its doors in downtown.
However, we question whether the location is the best fit. The venerable and tastefully expanded 12 Monkeys — in this space's opinion, far and away the best house of ink Tracy has to offer — is right next door.
Although there could be countless tie-ins waiting to happen.
• Baby portraits for your back
• "Hot Mama" discounts
• Matching tats for Mom and Dad specials
OK ... so maybe not.
The Press' Hester Prynne
I swear, walking around downtown Tracy trying to get a quote is near impossible. At least when you're wearing this thing:
It's like my very own scarlet letter.
It's like my very own scarlet letter.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thwarting Walmart for Dummies
According to the Wall Street Journal, a consulting firm has made its own cottage industry out of preventing Walmart from moving into communities, working on behalf of other large grocery chains and passing off the opposition as a grassroots movement.
Says the Journal:
"For the typical anti-Wal-Mart assignment, a (Saint Consulting Group) manager will drop into town using an assumed name to create or take control of local opposition, according to former Saint employees. They flood local politicians with calls, using multiple phones to make it appear that the calls are coming from different people, the former employees say."
...
"Safeway, a national chain based in Pleasanton, Calif., retained Saint to thwart Wal-Mart Supercenters in more than 30 towns in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in recent years, according to a Saint project list and interviews with former employees. Former Saint employees say much of the work consisted of training Safeway's unionized workers to fight land-use battles, including how to speak at public hearings."
It's worth noting that Tracy's Walmart project will move ahead after a lawsuit aimed at the to-be-expanded giant was dropped for lack of follow-through on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Keep in mind, this kind of thing is typically totally legal. It's just further proof that while citizen-based movements sometimes really are citizen-based, they can also be used as tools by vested interests with deep pockets.
Says the Journal:
"For the typical anti-Wal-Mart assignment, a (Saint Consulting Group) manager will drop into town using an assumed name to create or take control of local opposition, according to former Saint employees. They flood local politicians with calls, using multiple phones to make it appear that the calls are coming from different people, the former employees say."
...
"Safeway, a national chain based in Pleasanton, Calif., retained Saint to thwart Wal-Mart Supercenters in more than 30 towns in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in recent years, according to a Saint project list and interviews with former employees. Former Saint employees say much of the work consisted of training Safeway's unionized workers to fight land-use battles, including how to speak at public hearings."
It's worth noting that Tracy's Walmart project will move ahead after a lawsuit aimed at the to-be-expanded giant was dropped for lack of follow-through on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Keep in mind, this kind of thing is typically totally legal. It's just further proof that while citizen-based movements sometimes really are citizen-based, they can also be used as tools by vested interests with deep pockets.
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