Marc Medefind: Composing a wish list for Merced

As a kid, I recall poring through the amazing and huge toy section of the Sears & Roebuck catalog that arrived at our house in November. Finding precisely the right choices for my letter to Santa was the goal. On Christmas morning I would learn if my writing prowess was up to the task.

My “wish list” this year is for our city. What gifts would I like to find beneath trees of this Tree City? Here are 10 I think we all deserve:

▪ Progressive water policies – In the midst of this historic worst drought, we need policies and incentives that change how we handle this precious commodity. Homeowners should get rebates for taking out lawns and putting in water-wise gardens; all homes should have water meters. New businesses and construction should be required to xeriscape, using plants that are drought resistant and that conserve water. City and county sprinklers should be under a microscope; water wasters should be warned and, if necessary, ticketed then fined.

▪ Conscientious drivers – The number of ditsy drivers has increased with their rolling “California stops,” tailgating and misunderstanding of how four-way stops work. You must stop. Perhaps they’re preoccupied with their cellphones. Drivers, please, please use turn signals before you start braking.

▪ No more balloon releases – This should have ended years ago (many jurisdictions specifically outlaw them). Still, some area schools and organizations insist on releasing balloons each year as a celebration. This puts more litter in our environment – litter that is particularly devastating to wildlife. During a hike in Yosemite a few years back, I came across four such balloons in one day. Let’s exercise some caring over this poor but still beautiful Earth.

▪ Finish Highway 99 bridge over 16th Street – The Central Yosemite Highway northbound onramp has been closed for three years (even though the sign says it would be closed only through December 2013). Word is, this half-mile section won’t be finished until 2016. Why does it take five years to complete? I know it’s a ticklish job getting funding, but it would be nice to see the Campus Parkway to UC Merced completed sooner rather than later.

▪ Homeless policy – The D Street homeless shelter should be open during the day to allow Merced’s homeless to use computers, wash clothes, shower and have a midday meal. A “Housing First” program, with the business community leading the charge, would provide solutions and support to “the least of these” among us. We shouldn’t be so inhospitable a community that we remove park benches because homeless people might use them.

▪ Cleanup efforts – I applaud the Love Merced effort and the volunteer cleanup of the Merced River near Snelling. Maybe we should do this four times a year.

▪ Who let the dogs out? – Is Merced going to the dogs? You shouldn’t have to worry about your safety because of unleashed dogs running through the city. First, we need more responsible pet owners; second, we need more animal control officers.

▪ New crosswalks – The pedestrian crosswalks at 23rd and G and on Parsons in front of Golden Valley High School are tragedies waiting to happen (I’ve seen close calls at both sites). We need stoplights pedestrians can activate at both spots. Drivers just don’t pay attention to blinking yellow lights.

▪ Encourage new businesses – We need a vision for welcoming new business entrepreneurs that is both positive and immediate. A “can-do” attitude, rather than an “Eeyore attitude,” should be in place to encourage new businesses in town.

▪ Peace and goodwill – A must for every Christmas list. As Dickens wrote 171 years ago, we should honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it throughout the year. Merry Christmas!

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Marc Medefind: Composing a wish list for Merced."