Good morning, Stockton.
👋 Hi readers,
We’re now less than two weeks away from the final day to vote in the 2024 elections on Nov. 5. Have you cast your ballot yet? Will you be voting in person on Election Day? We’d love to hear about your plans.
Today, we have Mike Fitzgerald’s latest opinion column on City Council candidate Mariela Ponce, a so-called “ghost” candidate who has been avoiding public scrutiny.
We also bring you a story on the significant drop in crime in San Joaquin County this year, along with news of a $500,000 grant for bike lanes and crosswalks at Harrison Elementary.
Plus, Walmart is set to pay $7.5 million to settle a hazardous waste lawsuit affecting 12 California counties, including San Joaquin.
Finally, Stocktonia is hiring spring interns. Learn more below.
As always, we look forward to your feedback.
Mike Fitzgerald’s latest commentary
Mike Fitzgerald: ‘Ghost’ candidate deserves defeat
By Michael Fitzgerald • Stocktonia
If ever a campaign smelled fishy, it is the campaign of Mariela Ponce for the District 2 seat on Stockton’s City Council. Ponce is running what may be the darkest campaign in the history of Stockton.
She has made no public appearances of which I am aware. She’s given minimum interviews. She has no campaign page. She has not detailed her position on any issue. It’s not even clear who is running her campaign.
Ponce, “did not appear at forums, didn’t have a candidate page, and not much information could be found online about her,” a baffled Bay City News reported after the primary.
“No one I know has caught a glimpse of her,” her opponent, Wakar Rizvi, says in a telephone ad.
3 stories you may have missed
Stockton crime down in 2024, police data shows
Overall reported crimes dropped 11.6% in the first three-quarters of the year compared to the same span last year, according to Stockton Police Department statistics.
Safer streets: $500,000 grant for bike lane, crosswalks at Stockton elementary school
The funds, part of $3.8 billion federal investment, will also include news sidewalks, curb ramps and intersection lighting at Harrison Elementary.
McNerney vs. Shoemaker: An unusual Democrat-vs.-Republican race in state Senate District 5
The race for state Senate District 5 has Jerry McNerney facing off against Jim Shoemaker to replace state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, who is terming […]
Top California news
Walmart to pay $7.5 million to settle California lawsuit over disposal of hazardous waste
The suit, filed by California officials in 12 counties — including San Joaquin — alleged the retail giant illegally dumped batteries, aerosol cans of insect killer, toxic cleaning supplies, electronic waste, latex paints and other hazardous waste in municipal landfills throughout the state.
Stocktonia is hiring spring interns
Are you a journalism student or recent grad interested in honing your skills?
Come work for Stocktonia this spring and gain valuable experience covering Stockton and the surrounding area.
Our team is dedicated to rigorous, ethical and factual journalism.
Learn more about our spring internship and apply at the button below.
