• Letters -- Published Oct. 1, 2012

  • I simply cannot believe that Mayor Ann Johnston's eligibility to run for/hold the office of mayor is still a matter of question.
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    To Ralph Lee White and his supporters I would say that many elected officials have served multiple terms in various elected local or federal offices and have gone on to be eligible to run for, run for, and/or serve term(s) in other offices in their political careers.
    The phrase "either/or", when used in reference to two items, serves to distinguish them as separate autonomous entities. The two-term-maximum position of City Council member (out of which Mayor Johnston has termed) is one. The two-term-maximum mayoralty (out of which she has not been termed) is another.
    I know our city might need different people at the helm to get it back on track, but selective interpretation of the rules isn't the way to go about getting this realized.
    Harry Kalb
    California's medical marijuana laws have been exposed as a scam. Under existing laws, no one is held accountable, while California is known as the marijuana trafficking capital of the United States. All this, made possible mostly through recommendations by California doctors and City Councils hoping to balance their budget on the backs of an illegal state law. How is that working out for you?
    California is not a sovereign nation. It was foolish to think any state, city or county could legalize the production, distribution and sale of marijuana without inviting the wrath of the federal government. So, here is the latest medical use of marijuana "candy weed."
    "Candy weed" is formed by grinding marijuana into a fine powder, heating it in vegetable oil then passing it through cheesecloth. The extract is then mixed with sugar, water and corn syrup, add food coloring (entices young people because it looks like sugar candy) then it's cooked. The finished product is then broken down into bite sized pieces which can be smoked, but is usually eaten.
    California is so famous for "candy weed" that individuals are driving from as far as Missouri to buy the drug for $10 apiece. So, why is the City Council still allowing illegal store fronts to operate in Stockton? How much tax has been collected? How does the city know the stores are reporting all the sales?
    All the city is doing is allowing the individuals that have investments in the illegal store front to recoup their investment. Doesn't Stockton have enough issues? What's next doctors issuing "medical marijuana cards" for a sweet tooth?
    Gary Armstrong
    Past President of the California Narcotic Officer's Association
    I was surprised to see the comment in the Sept. 20 Record of Manteca Unified school district superintendent Jason Messer that he is not concerned about the new charter school opening on the Dell'Oso farm property that will take large numbers of students - and the revenue they generate - away from his schools.
    These are tough times for schools with heavy budget cuts and forced teacher layoffs. At last count this county had 35 charter schools. When is enough, enough?
    As pointed out in a recent Associated Press story, charter schools are public, taxpayer-funded schools that are independently operated but loosely overseen by the local school district. Lodi Unified has rejected petitions by three charter organizations in two years. The same day the River Islands Charter School at Dell'Oso was announced on the front page, VISTA Charter School was closing after just 10 days. We need good educational facilities for the following generations.
    Our 20th president, James A. Garfield, himself an educator, said " ... without an education you will forever be a slave to poverty ..."
    Mike Hamiel
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