Here’s an interesting coincidence.

Two of the three new members of the Manteca City Council — Mayor Ben Cantu and David Breitenbucher — can claim to have lived in the same house.

The home on Yolo Street in Powers Tract — Manteca’s first bonafide subdivision built in the 1950s that’s sandwiched between Manteca High and Spreckels Park — is where Breitenbucher now lives after recently purchasing it.

It was the childhood home of Cantu and his younger brother Richard whose parents Benjamin and Elvira originally bought the home from the late Antone Raymus.

Speaking of where council members live, the incoming council will be the most geographically diverse in years.

The current council has four members that live south of the 120 Bypass near Woodward Park. Mayor Steve DeBrum is the only member who doesn’t as he resides along Manteca’s eastern city limits.

The new council will have two members south of the 120 Bypass — incumbents Debby Moorhead and Gary Singh. Incoming councilman Jose Nuno lives north of Lathrop Road in Union Ranch.

Cantu resides in the northern part of Manteca’s “core” as defined by the area bounded by Lathrop Road on the north, Airport Way on the west, the 120 Bypass on the south and Highway 99 on the east. Breitenbucher resides in the southern part of the “core.”

Such a geographical spread means the council as a whole as they go about their daily lives will drive thru a wider expanse of Manteca.

The new council members and mayor will take the oath of office during a special City Council meeting set for Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 5 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.

New councilman well

aware of Manteca’s

homeless concerns

Incoming Councilman David Breitenbucher could have a slightly different take on the homeless than his colleagues.

On Thursday several homeless were virtually in his backyard setting up make shift shelters with piles of their belongings just over his fence in a City of Manteca park.

Early Christmas gift

for downtown Manteca

It looks as if downtown merchants have gotten an early Christmas.

Six months ago it looked as if work on upgrading Main Street from Yosemite Avenue to Atherton Drive would begin by November right at the start of the busiest time of the year for retailers.

The city was prepared with a plan that would have had either minimal work done in the downtown area in November or December or would have started the work in that area first.

Although the contract has been awarded, it is now unlikely work will start until after the holidays.

A dozen seeking

four seats on

planning body

There appears to be a near record number of applicants for the three vacancies and the alternate position on the Manteca Planning Commission.

City Clerk Lisa Blackmon said there are 12 applicants. Staff is in the process of verifying if they are eligible to serve which means basically if they are a resident within the city limits of Manteca. The decision to select new planning commissioners will be made at the Dec. 18 council meeting.

Among the applicants is 27-year-old David Cushman.

Cushman was the campaign manager for Ben Cantu in the race for mayor when he defeated incumbent Steve DeBrum.

Cushman two years earlier was the youngest person ever to run for the Manteca City Council.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com