Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

The Manteca City Council meeting on July 21 had one important subject – the rehabilitation of alleys.

This issue was brought to the attention of city staff, our good old boy council, and “Easy Money” Mark Houghton, director of public works.

Lou Varni approached City Council with a petition concerning the alley in his neighborhood that badly needed attention. He had a petition signed by three dozen homeowners with concerns about this one alley with no improvement considering the dust problem of over 35 years.

After walking this alley, Mayor Steve DeBrum and his ‘left-hand man’ Councilman Vince Hernandez both agreed that something needs to be done.

What needs to be done and what will be done are two different issues.

But since this is not a priority project, there’s a chance nothing will be done. Hernandez and Kevin Fant (Parks and Recreation Director) are experts at getting the priority projects so maybe something will be done.

Several things were said on what to do with this alley, including laying down gravel which would lead to nothing but a Band-Aid fix.

The proper thing to do with this alley would be to black top this alley and be done with it. Do it and do it right.

The homeowners in this area deserve the right thing to be done. Don’t worry about the money, city staff, city council, and Houghton.

The city has plenty of money to do things right. Since Mayor DeBrum and Councilman Vince Hernandez did show some concern about this alley, maybe they should both become alley inspectors for the city.

Fred Millner

Manteca