‘Tis the season for Merced’s annual Christmas wish list by Marc Medefind | Opinion
This is the tenth year I’ve penned my Christmas wish list for Merced. Each year, I’ve listed 10 items that I think would help improve this wonderful city where I was born and have called home for most of my 67 years. If you do the math, that makes 100 items I’ve listed since 2014.
As a child, I had both big wishes and small, including everything from bicycles to candy canes. I’ve likewise had big wishes and small on my annual lists for Merced. Some have come to fruition and some I’m still waiting on.
Of the items I’ve requested since 2014, 22.5 per cent have been accomplished, 45 per cent have enjoyed partial fulfillment, and 32.5 per cent I’m still waiting for.
In the hope that these percentages improve this year, welcome to my tenth Christmas wish list for Merced!
1. Expedite freeway construction: I think most of us thought the construction on Highway 99 would add another lane to match the three lanes on the south side of the city. It’s my understanding, however, that after all the construction is complete, 99 through Merced will still have just two lanes in each direction. This will ensure a huge traffic slowdown for all traffic moving through Merced. And did we really need to close all the on-ramps downtown just to repave those two N/S lanes? As the old Doo Doo Wah song so very slowly goes, “We’re C-a-a-a-l Tra-a-a-a-ans, f-i-i-i-i-xin’ up the ro-o-o-a-ad.” Please, just finish the job!
2. Fix traffic boondoggles: Other than simply avoiding these areas, can’t something be done about the traffic messes on V Street between 16th and 13th Streets, Highway 59 between Santa Fe and 16th Street, and at Childs and 99?
3. Entrepreneurs wanted: Merced has 48 tire stores and 80 Mexican restaurants. I’d love to see some young entrepreneurs bring more diverse businesses that cater to our burgeoning UC community, like a French bakery, Italian deli, or a seafood restaurant (much like Fresno’s La Boulangerie, Sam’s Deli and Pismo’s, respectively.)
4. Sports bar: Speaking of new businesses, how about a sports bar? We have enough vacancies in downtown Merced to accommodate several.
5. Thoughtful drivers: Please drive on our streets as if your precious family members are in every other car! Remember, red lights mean “Stop!”
6. Courthouse parking: More often than not as I pass by our gorgeous old Courthouse, there are cars parked on the sidewalk in front of the beautiful marble steps. Why is this OK? I don’t know of anywhere else in town where parking on the sidewalk is allowed. I know it also ticks off photographers who don’t want vehicles uglifying their efforts.
7. The Merced Mall: Can someone mow the lawn or pull the weeds at the Merced Mall? Whatever happened to plans that were announced years ago to renovate the place? Gottschalks, our only major department store, closed 14 years ago. It would be nice to entice a Nordstrom’s Rack or a Macy’s to put down roots in Merced.
8. Code enforcement: It’s against Merced city ordinances to park on the lawn or leave RVs, trailers, boats, etc. parked indefinitely on city streets. Let’s get serious about enforcing these ordinances.
9. Miniature golf course/bowling alley: When I was a kid, there were two of each in Merced. Now there are none. Again, entrepreneurs wanted!
10. Peace: With our world seemingly on the verge of collapse, it’s my great hope that we can all seek peace and reconciliation in the new year. Happy holidays to all!