As part of a larger mock election unit he’s conducting at Pitman High School in Turlock, teacher Isaac W. Farhadian had his students in AP U.S. government and politics, U.S. government and economics write letters to the editor.
Because of the volume of letters, we are breaking them up by ballot proposition. We will run batches of letters, edited primarily for length, in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election. This is the second bunch of letters. The first was on Proposition 2 .
Opinion
The following letters regard Proposition 4 , which would authorize $10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands.
California must protect its environment
Dear Editor,
What would you do if you went to the forest to hike but instead were met with city buildings instead of trees? One would presumably be upset to see something that had once been beautiful now ruined. I believe that you should vote yes on Proposition 4 to preserve the nature of California. I believe that we should preserve the beauty of California and not let it become unsightly. Yes, it may cost a fortune, but it’s more than worth it when you get to see the results in action. It would not be safe to have your children go off into a world that is incredibly polluted, with constant wildfires that cause the deterioration of the air quality and environment.
The state of California needs to take the steps necessary to improve its environment for the sake of its citizens. This proposition helps bring together safer drinking water, the prevention of wildfires and the preservation of natural landscapes. If you want your family to grow together in a healthy environment, you should vote yes on Proposition 4.
Madison Liles, Turlock
We need to better fight pollution and climate change
Dear Editor,
To die from the climate crisis is only the second worst thing that could ever happen to our community besides going extinct because of a meteor. Proposition 4 discusses whether or not to fund environmental and water programs, which in turn really asks if we as a society actually care about our protection from pollution and climate change. We need to start adapting to the changes that are happening right now as harm is being done to our cities and our people due to these extreme heats, floods and wildfires destroying our infrastructure and lives. You may know people as I do who live in danger zones for fires or may have already experienced having to evacuate from them. Vote yes on Proposition 4 to ensure that an effort is made towards programs with our best interest in mind to save not only our nature but ourselves as well.
Annabelle Thao, Keyes
Protect environment now or face the consequences
Dear Editor,
How many more disasters need to occur in order for everyone to realize that climate change is affecting the weather and communities around the world? Proposition 4 brings to light problems that affect everybody, which is climate change, protecting the environment from wildfires, needing cleaner water and helping communities affected by disasters. Why are we not prioritizing trying to fund projects that help improve the environment? If we continue to stay ignorant to the idea that climate change is influencing disasters, then in the future, everybody is going to be facing the consequences of their actions. We can choose to stay blind to all the problems that are occurring because of climate change, or we can say yes to Proposition 4, which funds projects that help the environment. We need to act now before it’s too late to consider helping the environment. We also need to help the communities that have been affected by disasters because the people most likely don’t have the money to repair their homes. We all need to consider how people are living after a disaster has occurred.
Alma Fuentes, Keyes
Don’t leave fixing the planet to future generations
Dear Editor,
How many more fires do we need to have to finally see the impact it is leaving us? Why does our community ignore our health and our planet? Proposition 4 would allow us to use $10 billion to get water, wildfire prevention/protection for our community, and be able to have a chance to fix climate change. It’ll allow us to finally get the safe drinking water and air we deserve. California already has among the worst air quality. We need to change and start caring about our planet, whose health is at risk if we ignore this opportunity. With the money, we can have good drinking water, recycling, flood restrictions, fire prevention and fix forests. In a few years, we will have a short supply of water, an increase in fires will happen and it will affect us all. Instead of being forced to stay inside due to orange smoke caused by wildfires, we should fix this so we don’t have to continue. If we don’t, sea levels will rise, droughts will increase, floods will rise, and heat will be more extreme. Future generations should live in a better environment, they shouldn’t have to fix this.
Ashley Rodriguez, Keyes
There are more pressing needs for taxpayer money
Dear Editor,
It makes me livid to talk about how the state wants to authorize $10 billion in bonds to fund various environmental efforts on drought, flood, water supply, forest health and wildfire prevention. Why do we spend so much money on these things? I feel like most of California does not need it ... because it does not flood everywhere in California. The only types of flood we would get are just rain floods after raining for days. There are a lot more things we should be funding instead of these, like more housing or more building.
Dustin K. Vang, Turlock
Let’s keep history from repeating itself
Dear Editor,
Do you want clean drinking water, clean air and not have to worry about wildfires? By voting yes on Proposition 4, you will be guaranteed all of these adjustments to everyday life. This proposition would also help during drought season by storing water to be used in later droughts. During 2020, we experienced the worst year for wildfires yet. The amount of fires at the time created a ghastly cloud of smoke over many cities. This was not only harmful to the people but also to the environment. Would we want to experience this devastation again, but this time it could’ve been prevented? Proposition 4 would help prevent wildfires by increasing the availability of water, thinning overgrown forests and clearing vegetation near houses. If we had these preparations and resources in 2020, fewer wildfires would have broken out. By supporting Proposition 4, we are taking key steps to securing sustainable water and keeping our forests green for years to come.
Nathan Vasquez, Turlock
Demand accountability before approving more borrowing
Dear Editor,
Do we really need to borrow more money? Borrowing more money will put a burden on taxpayers and future taxpayers for a long time. We need to see where all the money is going. The state is always asking for more money. It is hard to say yes on Proposition 4 when past propositions that total $9.7 billion were approved. Where is this money? How much is already paid off? The state is money hungry and always looking for more. The governor declared that the state budget was billions of dollars in debt because the spending was outpacing the revenue. If this continues, major services will see cuts, such as education, and other essential public services. Please do your research before voting on any proposition. It is very important, as we have seen in past propositions. The state does not need to be spending more money at this time just because the Legislative Analyst’s Office says we are authorized to sell an additional $35 billion.
Marcus Garcia, Turlock
Poor choices are destroying the state’s environment
Dear Editor,
What are the chances of increasing the amount and quality of water available for people to use and reduce the risk of flooding? How about improving the health of forests and protecting communities from wildfires? Maybe even reducing the risks from sea-level rise, restoring coastal areas, and protecting our precious remarkable aquatic vertebrates?
It’s a shame we are living our everyday lives while our environment is being DESTROYED because of the poor choices our community has created.
The $10 billion money bond will be put into the infrastructure, creating a whole new better system for us. Opposers may beg to differ, considering the increase in debt that taxpayers would be “adding” to the $10 billion bond debt with interest to pay for climate programs that are just too “ambiguous” and would be “short-term” (cue the eyeroll…). Will you vote for Prop. 4? The choice is yours.
Suzanne Navarette, Turlock
Help ensure the safety of yourself and others
Dear Editor,
$10 BILLION for your state … only if you vote yes to Proposition 4. Residents in California face Mother Nature in unpredictable ways, whether it be from scorching heat or the chilly winters. But that’s not the only obstacle they have to cross: Over 700,000 people still don’t meet the state requirements for safe drinking water. If we agree to pass this proposition, many of your families, friends and even your pets would be granted clean and safe water. This proposition would also ensure our protection against wildfires and extreme droughts that California faces almost every year. Many lives are being lost year-round due to not being as prepared for these disasters. With this bond we can cover many costs of projects that could help support us in times of wildfires and droughts. This proposition will not just take care of the bigger issues but will also ensure 40% of the bond revenue to the lower-served communities. The money will help with any local projects the community is set forth to do or need. So vote yes to Proposition 4 to help protect and ensure the safety of the residents around you in California.
Gurleen Mander, Turlock
Improving infrastructure will pay off
Dear editor
I am worried about Turlock’s residents and environment. Through Proposition 4, we can have a good outcome for the environment and the people who need the funds for local parks, environmental protection projects, water projects, energy projects, and flood protection projects. One argument against passing this proposition is it will increase taxes. Another con is the state going into debt, which will have long-term financial implications. Even though taxes will go up, there will be long-term benefits. For example, improved facilities can boost economic production and efficiency, while increased education can result in workers with higher levels of skill. Making investments in energy-efficient infrastructure can result in savings in the future by lowering energy expenses and dependence on energy sources that are not renewable. Proposition 4 is important. Significant financial advantages are provided by the long-term energy cost savings and creation of jobs. It ensures California natural resources for future generations.
Anjeel Merza, Turlock
Protecting the environment protects public health
Dear Editor,
How would you feel if future generations never saw a real forest? All they see are buildings and houses everywhere. They never experience nature’s beauty. Not only that, but the environment would be so harmed if we didn’t focus on it now. You would undoubtedly regret your previous decisions about environmental preservation. Proposition 4 will raise $10 billion for the state solely to protect the environment, provide safe and clean drinking water, prevent wildfires, and protect forests, beaches, rivers, streams, and wildlife. It will also protect public health by reducing pollution and improving air quality for people because, due to wildfires, the air quality in California is very poor. This proposition’s money will allow and give firefighters more tools and resources to stop fires from starting. So, vote YES on Proposition 4 if you want to protect the environment for the future of your children and this generation.
Tania Policy, Turlock
If you are a high school teacher in Stanislaus County who would like to have your students write letters to The Modesto Bee on issues or races on the Nov. 5 ballot, please reach out to civics and democracy reporter Kathleen Quinn at
kquinn@modbee.com .
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