Get Priorities Straight

Dear Editor,

Regarding your headline: “Council Eyes Park Rehab, Construction”.

Spring may be in the air for some parks, all on the west side of town, Bridle Ridge sports park will have a new gymnasium, for what? Will those at Bridle Ridge be responsible and will pay for gym, or is it for a select few.

It seems Manager Bryan Whitemyer feels when there is extra money to play with, why not spend it.

The Gilbert Park and the Brennan Park have been neglected for a long time. It behooves me to see these parks neglected.

The Gilbert Family donated this land for a park, so the children wouldn’t have to cross the main highway. It’s sad that the Gilbert Park has one picnic table, no benches, no new equipment. One little sand box, and the city has neglected this for years. I wonder if the restrooms are clean? A basketball court and a tennis court which needs a master plan also, someone who knows what a tennis court and a basketball court should look like.

When City Manager thinks spending $10,500 for plans that will benefits a very few instead of all parks, that’s sad, because you know where his priorities lies.

This reminds me of the old days when the westside were not to cross the railroad tracks, because it’s the poor side of town and many nationality live there.

If it wasn’t for Terers subdivision this side of town wouldn’t have started to grow. More children started Cloverland School, instead of going across town.

So my best advice to this council and City Manager look before you leap, look around neighborhoods to see what is needed.

Instead of staying in your own little world.

Alice M. Garcia

Successful Rodeo Week

Dear Editor,

Another rodeo week has come and gone in our great city. I would like to thank the Oakdale Saddle Club for all their hard work. I know this week could not happen if it was not for all the wonderful club members and volunteers. So much time and hard work go into making this one of the greatest rodeos in the country. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

I would also like to thank the Oakdale City Police Department and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department for their services this last week here in Oakdale. We have one of the finest police departments in the area. We are fortunate to have the leadership and the skills of our police officers to maintain a safe and successful week here in Oakdale.

Congratulations to all the winners. It amazes me every time I watch all of you cowboys and cowgirls participate in the rodeo events.

I look forward to next year’s rodeo coming back to the city of Oakdale, “Cowboy Capital of the World” on the second weekend of April 2019.

J.R. McCarty,

Oakdale City Council Member