A ‘Not my job’ attitude has no place at all on any Christmas wish list | Opinion
As I consider the items on my 2024 Christmas Wish List, the “ask” that seems most prominent involves effectively and efficiently doing one’s job. In other words, “Shirkers need not apply.”
Drunk Santas and lazy elves aren’t allowed either! No matter what your work might be, do it and do it well! Go the extra mile. Don’t make excuses and don’t ever say it’s “Not my job.”
With that introduction, welcome to my 11th Annual Christmas Wish List for Merced.
1. Sloth-like Voting Process: Unless you were able to vote by mail on Nov. 5, you were probably waiting, waiting and – oh, yeah – waiting. It used to be a communal experience to go to one’s polling place to vote. The wait was never long and it offered a chance to see neighbors and friends. This year, lines wound about 100 yards outside the new “Voting Centers.” This is simply unacceptable. Can we please go back to the efficient way things were run via VBM and polling places? Oh, and there should be no question that UC Merced have a polling site.
2. Public Golf Course: Merced once had Merced Hills Golf Club, a public golf course that served as a placeholder for what is now UC Merced. The golf course opened in 1995 and closed a mere seven years later. For a city of our size, a public course would seem standard (and while we’re at it, maybe we could get a bowling alley and a miniature golf course, too. Or even a Boomers franchise.) Merced used to have two bowling alleys and several miniature golf courses. Now there are none. Any entrepreneurs out there?
3. Re-open Restaurants: Speaking of entrepreneurs, it would sure be nice to have the Branding Iron and Pizza Villa back. These were two classic restaurants with “Blue Skies” galore and respective culinary histories that went back to my childhood some 60-plus years ago. It’s sad to see such great places run into the ground. It’s especially sad that Merced now has just three steakhouses in town.
4. Tree stumps: I’ve grumped about stumps before and had high hopes that with a full staff, the city could quickly and efficiently grind stumps and plant new trees when old trees are felled. I did a quick survey in my neighborhood of Spaghetti Acres and counted 78 stumps. This is unacceptable! It’s time the city got serious about our “Tree City, USA” designation!
5. Bear Creek: Our beloved waterway could be as fetching as the San Antonio River Walk. It’s a shame, then, that we aren’t doing a good enough job with it. I’m requesting several much-needed “gifts” regarding the creek: First, just to the west of the R Street Bridge, the bike path has collapsed. Since several agencies are responsible for various management aspects of the creek, there has been more finger-pointing than problem-solving. Someone just needs to step up! Second, if you head the other way toward the G Street Bridge, you can see where the railing was taken out after a tragic accident more than two years ago. This past month the city council finally approved a bid to get it repaired. Why can’t such hugely important safety-related fix-its be handled in a timely manner? Third, what has become of the $6 million effort to clean up the creek? It’s been four years since then-Assemblymember Adam Gray enabled this funding and there’s nothing to show for it. The Bear Creek Yacht Club, on the other hand, has done a terrific job of keeping our creek clean without a cent from the state! Why does it take so long to simply fix things that need fixing?
6. Public Safety:Closures and cutbacks seem to be the rule where the Sheriff’s Dept., Fire Dept. and District Attorney are concerned. It was hoped that Measure R on the November ballot would solve personnel shortages but it required a two-thirds vote and fell short, getting just 56 per cent. The Sheriff’s Department is short 25 deputies; the Merced County Fire Department will soon have four fewer stations than it had a year ago; and the DA’s office struggles to recruit and retain prosecutors. It seems long past time that the board of supervisors makes the tough decisions necessary to provide for at least adequate public safety.
7. Designated Campground: This wish is making another much-needed appearance on my annual list. Because a new state law has made camping illegal in parks and public places, we absolutely need a KOA-type place where these folks can lay their heads without fear of being fined and told to move on. There are far too many singular camps spread everywhere with no provision for basics like toilets and garbage. Unless the powers that be step up, it will only get worse.
8. Empty Eyesores: It’s a prime example of adding insult to injury: When once-bustling businesses go out of business, it’s injurious. When the new owners of those out-of-business sites let these lots become eyesores, it’s insulting. Irresponsible owners should face stringent fines when they don’t maintain their sites.
9. Art District: Merced has both a proclivity for the arts and a profusion of artists. With both in play, it would be hugely advantageous for the city to institute an arts district downtown. City art districts drive neighborhood revitalization, economic development and cultural enrichment, so why not develop such a district? It seems a no-brainer.
10. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: Yes, may your holidays be merry and bright and may such positive spirit last throughout the year!