Editor, Manteca Bulletin,

The former location for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post home was changed. I complained about isolating this building from the mainstream. That intent by the council was the first attempt to disrespect our veterans.

The second attempt is in placing a dog park on Moffat, in close proximity with the proposed veterans’ facility. I would like to recommend that the dog park be considered for the Spreckels/Moffat location where the VFW was once going to be built. I assume this property is owned by the city.

The Moffat location next to the VFW building will definitely interfere with the plan to beautify this area of the city. People don’t pick up after their dogs in the park and a percentage of the dog park users won’t either. Who is going to monitor this facility to screen out vicious dogs? Most of the dog parks I have seen, including the Modesto facility, are nothing but a dirt plot. 

I see a facility with just a fence and small shelter and benches secured in cement, as significant for a dog park. If security is an issue, then erect it next to the BMX facility that isn’t used in the flood basin. Remember council, dog owners seldom stay over a few hours. Long term comfort shouldn’t be an issue.

A few years ago this council spent money drafting a master plan to renovate Moffat, this seems to have ground to a halt and the plan seems to be permanently shelved. I am sure a dog park was not in the plans for a Moffat beautification project. Remember council you don’t want to spend a large amount on the dog park, because the tab for basing Wolf in Manteca, will serve to drain off all reserves we have. Look out taxpayers, for deficits are about to resurface. 

Fleenor Richards

Manteca