209 Business Journal August 2018 by 209 Multimedia Publications

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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AUGUST 2018

VOLUME 3 ■ ISSUE 8

IN PROFILE

New owners turn page on Turlock bookstore. PAGE 3

IN PROFILE

WATER WARS

Summer fun ramps up at Lake McSwain. PAGE 4

Farmers, state board clash over usage BY ANGELINA MARTIN

209 Business Journal

he final draft proposal of a state plan to increase water flows through the Tuolumne River for the benefit of fish and wildlife was released in July with little changes, despite vehement opposition from a broad coalition of local governments and organizations. In an effort to prevent an “ecological crisis,” the State Water Resources Control Board released its third and final draft of the BayDelta Water Quality Control Plan update, which calls for allocation of 40 percent of unimpaired flows along the lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries — the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers — to help rehabilitate the area’s native fish species. The result of a nine-year process during which the Board studied and analyzed different options, met with local stakeholders and reviewed more than 1,400 comment letters, State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus said that the plan’s challenge is to “balance multiple valuable uses of water — for fish and wildlife, agriculture, urban, recreation and other uses.”

“Californians want a healthy environment, healthy agriculture and healthy communities, not one at the expanse of the others,” Marcus said. “That requires the water wars to yield to collective efforts to help fish and wildlife through voluntary action, which the proposed plan seeks to reward.” Many farmers and local water agencies feel as if the State Water Board has indeed waged a water war on the San Joaquin Valley. The first draft of the plan, which also included 40 percent unimpaired flows, was released in September 2016, and in December 2016, hundreds of locally-elected officials, water and agricultural leaders, agency representatives and community members addressed the Board in Modesto, sharing the potential impacts the water grab could have on the farming community. “I would offer up to you today that no one in this room thinks 40 or 50 percent unimpaired flows is a balanced approach,” Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa told the Board at the 2016 public hearing. “People are scared. They really are with what this can do to them, what this can do to the Val-

ley. Please listen to the people.” As detailed in the final draft proposal, the State Water Board proposes increasing flows to provide habitats for fish and wildlife upstream of the Delta from February to June, which are the critical

months for protecting migrating fish on the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers. A 40 percent unimpaired flow requirement, within a range of 30 to 50 percent, is proposed because “it can SEE WATER, PAGE 10

The Worth Your Fight campaign over water usage has been reinvigorated since the State Water Board released their final plans for the area’s rivers.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2018

OPINION

An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Vol. 3 No. 8 ■ August 2018 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

NEWSROOM Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Angelina Martin Candy Padilla Vince Rembulat Paul Roupe Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

—Jack Welch

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Chuck Higgs

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Maddy Hayes Colette Robison Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber Jennifer Webber

DIGITAL Frankie Tovar Rich Matheson

To advertise in 209 Business Journal, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Business Journal is published monthly 122 S. Third Ave • Oakdale, CA 95361 Information: dsavage@209businessjournal.com 209businessjournal.com The Oakdale Leader USPS No 178-680 Is published weekly by Morris Newspaper Corporation, 122 S. Third Ave. Oakdale, Ca 95361 ©Copyright 2018. 209 Business Journal All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Business Journal is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Business Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Business Journal management or owner. 209 Business Journal assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

209MAG A Z I N E.CO M

Turn your emails into cash As frequent readers of this column know, I am not the biggest fan of email. Each day, I find myself answering at least 30 to 40 emails on matters related to my law practice, the books I’ve written, upcoming speaking engagements and messages from old college friends who are preparing to attend our 45-year reunion this year, to say nothing of (ahem) this column. Last year, I made a resolution to only check emails twice a day — once in the late morning and again in the late afternoon. During those times, I do nothing but answer emails. I try not to respond to emails between my two timeslots. And any email that comes in after working hours doesn’t get a response until the following morning. (If you think that’s crazy, last year, the French government passed a law that prohibits employers from terminating employees for not responding to work-related emails after office hours. In between these time slots, I only respond to emails in emergency situations: when I’m in the middle of doing a rush deal for a law client, a reporter is on deadline and needs to interview me in the next 10 minutes or a meeting planner needs to book a keynote speaker fast and has sent identical messages to 10 of my competitors. For a more detailed description of how I do this, see my YouTube

CLIFF ENNICO CREATORS SYNDICATE

video “Time Management for Business People With No Time to Manage Their Time” (www. youtube.com/watch?v=1SloLZi5ys). Lately I’ve been trying another tactic to keep my email traffic under control, at least as much as I can. Since I often having trouble managing it with dedicated time slots alone, I’m going to charge my law clients for reading and responding to certain emails. Yes, that’s right. Since it takes me at least six minutes (one-tenth of an hour) to read and respond to most emails, I am billing my law clients one-tenth of my hourly rate for each email exchange on their particular matter. When I send a retainer agreement out to new clients, I now include a statement that says: “A minimum charge of $X (one-tenth of an hour) will be applied for each email or IM text response relating to your matter.” It’s written in boldface type so the clients can’t claim they never saw it. Similarly, when I send out my monthly invoice to clients, the last line item reads, “email exchanges w/ client during month — $XXX (13 email ex-

changes at $Y each).” Needless to say, some of my law clients aren’t too happy about this. They seem to have the idea that anything happening on the internet is free of charge, even if their email is a request for legal advice that runs 10 or more paragraphs. But they are paying the fee, however reluctantly, and I am finally being compensated fairly for an activity that takes a good chunk out of every workday. Even better, I am receiving fewer emails each day. More often, my clients call me with their thorny, complex legal questions, which is what I prefer them to do. They get a better quality answer that way, and I’m not committing something to writing that could get posted all over the internet. (“Hey, everybody. See what Cliff Ennico thought of this!”) Now, of course there are some rules about when I do and do not charge for email responses. Here are some I’ve come up with: —I only charge my law clients. I never charge editors, meeting planners, speaker bureaus, journalists, friends, relatives or any readers of this column who want to ask a question (although, with my long-winded old college chums, it’s tempting). —I only charge law clients who are paying me by the hour. If I am charging a flat fee for a

particular matter, the fee includes email responses up to a certain point (usually one to two hours’ worth). —I only charge for substantive email responses. Confirming a lunch date by email or merely forwarding a message to a client without comment will not be charged. —I make sure (by keeping timesheets) that I am not charging more than 24 hours a day for email responses. This approach to emails is a work in progress, and it may go the way of last year’s New Year’s resolutions. But so far it seems to be working — I haven’t lost any clients because of it — and it may work for your service-oriented business as well. Give it some thought. And if it works really well, I will consider applying the same approach to my telephone calls, daily trips to the UPS store and household chores (although sending my spouse that monthly invoice might be a bit tricky). Cliff Ennico (crennico@ gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist, author and former host of the PBS television series “Money Hunt.” This column is no substitute for legal, tax or financial advice, which can be furnished only by a qualified professional licensed in your state.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

IN PROFILE

Bookworms turned bookstore owners

Lightly Used Books under new management BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

When David Wisniewski and Marisa Pish first moved to Turlock, they immediately fell in love with the city’s downtown bookstore, Lightly Used Books. Less than a year later, the two are now proud owners of the shop and hope to make it a welcoming place for the community. Valerie and Tim Brown first opened Lightly Used Books in July 2010, and after eight years of business decided to sell their first business endeavor this year— right around the same time that Wisniewski and Pish made the move from Merced to Turlock. Following a health scare that involved his heart failing him, Wisniewski and Pish moved to Turlock to be closer to family, Wisniewski said. Immediately, the pair of book lovers were drawn to Lightly Used Books and its “massive” Science Fiction section, Wisniewski said. Inspired, he asked then-owner Tim Brown if he had any advice for

Pawtastic Thrift Boutique benefits area animal shelter BY VINCE REMBULAT 209 Business Journal

It was about a year ago that Debbie Freitas received the surprise call of her life. She was ready to renew her lease with the Delta Humane Society’s Thrift and Gift store — a tucked away space at 6830 N. Pacific Ave. in Stockton — when a choice spot on the Miracle Mile suddenly became available. “I couldn’t believe it,” said Freitas, who took over

the Miracle Mile Bookstore at 2210 Pacific Ave., renaming it to Pawtastic. “We were eight hours away from re-upping on the lease (on the Gift and Thrift store) when we received a call from the owner’s sister.” She officially took over the space July 31 2017, spending the next two months remodeling and re-organizing the thrift boutique store that’s now in the middle of the pedestrian-friendly area of SEE PAW, PAGE 5

ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

New Turlock residents David Wisniewski and Marisa Pish had already fallen in love with Lightly Used Books before they became its new owners in May.

someone who wanted to open up a used bookstore of their own. “He told me, ‘It’s expensive to start a used bookstore. It’s a lot cheaper to buy one, and this one’s for sale,’” Wisniewski said. “After he said that, everything in my heart was bent towards buying it.” The Browns lowered

Lightly Used Books Name of business: Used bookstore Type of business: 141 N. Center St. Location: 809 141 N. Center St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; Noon to 6 p.m., Sunday Contact information: 209-656-7700

SEE BOOK, PAGE 5

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2018

IN PROFILE

Aqua park brings new fun to the 209 BY PAUL ROUPE 209 Business Journal

It all started with a milk jug and a brick. That’s what General Manager of Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park Mary GathmanKent says as she sits on a weathered wooden bench and looks at seventy-plus pieces of floating yellow and green inflatable slides, platforms, and bridges, all secured by 56 900-pound concrete anchors resting on the bottom of Lake McSwain. Initially she and her crew took a brick, put a line on it, attached it to a milk jug, and then dropped it where they wanted the center of the park to be. In reality, it all started with a video she saw on Facebook three years ago. It was of a park in Australia that took the inflatable course on water concept to the extreme, and it was something she had never seen before. “It didn’t register in my brain right away,” she recalls of seeing it for the first time. “I took it to my husband and I said, ‘Babe, we

Splash-n-Dash Address: Lake McSwain Recreation Area, 9090 Lake McClure Rd., Snelling, CA 95369…must pay $8.00 vehicle charge to get in the lake (not charged by Splash N Dash) Must be 7 years old, at least 45” tall, and a capable swimmer to use the Big Splash course. Under 7 years old must use the Lil’ Splash area. All persons must wear aqua shoes while in the water – no exceptions. You can bring them with you or purchase them at the park. Prices: Prices range from $20 for 50 – 55 minutes to $75 for a full day. Children under 7 years have lower prices. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Sunday. For more information visit http://mysplashndash.com.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Splash-N-Dash is offering some cool summer fun with a gauntlet of floating platforms at Lake McSwain.

gotta go to Australia and take the kids!’” But still, the idea remained just that. With a background in business management and accounting and a lifetime of work in both the construction and hospitality industries, the addition of years had brought with them only increasing restlessness for her own business venture. She was tired of her skills,

her knowledge, her hard work, helping other people to get ahead. Then last summer she came across the same video again. Now the pieces were starting to come together. “It clicked,” she says. From there she spurred things into motion, and it wasn’t long before she got in touch with Wibit, the company who spe-

cializes in inflatable water park equipment, and made a contact with one of their distributors at an Orlando trade show. The next step was to secure a location, but that came after the first two had fallen through. She had been approved for Shaver Lake, which is closer to her home in Fresno, but there wasn’t enough parking. Then she petitioned to

the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California State Department of Parks and Recreation and got approved at Millerton Lake, but they allotted the space

for cabins instead. It was probably for the best because the fluctuating water levels and unfriendly terSEE SPLASH, PAGE 5

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com Bill Loretelli Jr., Veronica Loretelli, and Bill Loretelli Sr., with Oak Valley’s Sylvia Orozco, Modesto-McHenry Branch Manager, 579.3365

Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy

“We’re treated so well at Oak Valley, everyone is friendly and happy to see you – it’s like family. If you look at our customers, you see local people who support us and we naturally try to support other local businesses too. We only wish we switched sooner.” -Bill Loretelli Sr., Loretelli Farms

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

IN PROFILE

Under the California Sun Dried fruit venture prospers in Patterson BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

When Joe and Maria Traina first began drying and selling fruit after immigrating to California from Italy in 1926, they likely didn’t dream that the combination of sun, soil and spirit found in the San Joaquin Valley would catapult their business into one of the largest sundried fruit suppliers in the nation. Today, from the family’s original ranch and headquarters in Patterson, Traina Foods is overseen by Joe and Maria’s grandchildren, serving as a pioneer in the 209 for natural farming techniques, the production of organic dried fruit and sustainable farming practices that have led the business to success — just as their grandparents would have wanted. It all started with apricots, Traina Foods marketing director Vickie Traina said. Her brothers Willie and Joe Traina own the sun dried fruit operation, which first

SPLASH

FROM PAGE 4

rain wouldn’t have made for much of an accessible, family friendly environment. But that is exactly what Splash-n-Dash is, and Gathman-Kent wants you to know it. The aqua park (which opened June 30th of this year) beckons from the shore of Lake McSwain, and your inner child will definitely come alive at the sight of it. “American Ninja War-

PAW

FROM PAGE 3 Stockton featuring shopping, dining, entertainment and the arts. After the overhead, Freitas noted that 100 percent of her proceeds benefit the Delta Humane Society and SPCA. This a no-kill animal shelter located at 4590 S. Highway 99 Frontage Road and home to several hundred animals. This non-profit organization servicing the greater San Joaquin area since 1966 is supported by fundraising events along with the generosity of others. Included is Pawtastic, a place featuring new and gently used collectibles,

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Traina Foods success in the dried fruit arena all began with the apricots grown by the founders — Joe and Maria Traina.

began in the “Apricot Capital of the World” after their grandfather brought the Southern Italian tradition of sun drying fruits to give them a rich, intense flavor to California. “We’re proud that we produce the finest sundried apricots, and it all started with my grandad,” Vickie Traina said.

By 1976, the company expanded from a local farming and sun drying operation and began supplying customers throughout North America with a variety of sun dried fruits. Today Traina Foods is known for its sun-dried plums, nectarines, peaches, pears, tomatoes, cherries, cranberries, blueber-

ries and apricots, of course, to name a few. The tasty fruits have now even made their way into retail stores, served in convenient six-ounce packages known as “fruitons.” Traina Foods has also recently expanded to create ketchup and barbecue sauces made from their tomatoes, apricots and plums that have

rior meets Wipeout,” says Mary. She also wants to encourage people to stay for a while. “I tell people all the time, plan for a day at the lake. Don’t plan to come see us for an hour, come for a day. Oh, and by the way, they have a hundred campsites here, they just built six new cabins, there’s a marina store and a boat launch (the 10-mph speed limit makes it perfect for this environment).” She doesn’t mind if you bring your own toys for

the kids, or beach chairs, or stuff for a picnic or barbeque. There are two fixed-site grills but those usually go quick, so plan accordingly. Just don’t plan on plopping yourself under an umbrella and checking your Twitter feed. That’s right, folks. It’s exactly what you think it means. So unless your body doubles as a cell tower, you’re out of luck. Gathman-Kent explains it like this: “It’s a blessing and a curse to not have (Wi-fi) service at this lake. It’s a bless-

ing because it allows you to spend time with the people that you’re with, which people are lacking nowadays, but it’s a curse because people can’t Snapchat here. They can’t Facebook live right here. They have to literally take the pictures and video then wait until they get service, but sometimes people forget.” She got tired of going out and seeing families disconnected from each other (even her own), so she saw this as an added bonus to get people to put down their devices

antiques, jewelry, accessories, books, household goods, pet products, and vintage and designer clothing, to name a few. Freitas, who is both owner and operator, said the boutique also has hard-to-find items such as Disney, Precious Moments, and Llardo Porcelain collectibles. Everything in the store is donated. Pawtastic has a drop-off area in the rear parking lot, between Adams and Pine streets. Click on to www.deltahumanesociety.com for donation information. What’s sold here helps improve the lives of the cats and dogs at the shelter. On Saturdays, Pawtastic brings awareness to the Delta Humane Society by

serving as an off-site for shelter pets — dogs and cats are brought in from there and available for adoption. Freitas, who began her career in law enforcement, has used her business to branch out into the community. For college students, she offers Kitchen in a Box consisting of dishes, glasses, etc. for those starting up at nearby University of the Pacific. She’s partnered with Delta College, in particular, the Fashion & Merchandising Department, bringing in students from there to help out with the presentation of the store. And then there’s the countless volunteers. The husband and wife

realtors of Grace and Rob Quaschinck took time to do the current window display at Pawtastic. Freitas welcomes high school students who are looking to do their community service projects along with those in work programs. Getting back to the business, Pawtastic provides personal attention to each customer, according to Freitas. “We want to make it welcoming experience,” she added. Pawtastic is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call Pawtastic at 209-9522023 or the Delta Humane Society at 209-466-0339.

been dried underneath the California sun. “We’re trying to launch our retail brand because over the years, people have asked, ‘How can I get your product?’” Vicki Traina said. “The fruitons are great because it’s convenient. It makes it easier for people to eat fruit when it’s dried and diced, which is good because they should.” It’s not lost on the Traina family that though some may want to incorporate more servings of fruit into their daily lives, they might not know where to start. The company shares recipes on the “The Porch Life” section of its website, meant as a callback to Traina Ranch’s front porch where the family often gathers to share stories, food and wisdom. With recipe ideas for light meals on hot summer days, inspiring ways to use the company’s barbecue sauces and craft appetizer ideas, the Trainas hope that sun dried fruit can become an essential part of any diet. “What’s great about dried fruit is that it stays fresh longer,” Vicki Traina said. “It’s a great way to get your nutrition in an easy way.”

and interact. Before you can get in the water, you must go through a brief safety orientation and be fitted for one of their vests (you can’t bring your own). Then after you pay for your wristband (discounts and deals are available on their website) and an adult scribbles the obligatory liability signature, you’re ready. There are trained lifeguards on duty to monitor the guests (Gathman-Kent doesn’t like the word cus-

BOOK

FROM PAGE 3 their asking price so that Wisniewski and Pish could afford to purchase the bookstore, Wisniewski said, even though there was another buyer who had offered to pay the full price. Wisniewski and Pish received the Browns’ blessing because they promised to keep much of the shop the same. “Those other people would’ve turned it into a more profitable venture, for sure, but the bookstore would’ve lost its spirit,” Wisniewski said. The two took over the store in May, and while Wisniewski and Pish plan on changing little inside of Lightly Used Books — the $30,000 that Tim Brown once spent on lumber for

The fruit drying process can take anywhere from seven to 10 days, she added, but ultimately, it comes down to one very important factor. “It really just depends on the sun,” she said. “We rely completely on the sun; it’s our partner.” While being a sun-dependent company does have some drawbacks — rainy weather, for example — one benefit that comes from Traina Foods’ solar-savvy ways is in the form of its energy bill, not to mention its impact on the environment. “We’re all solar powered, from drying the fruit to the facility we operate out of,” Vicki Traina said. “That makes us extremely energy efficient.” Through forward-thinking energy and a new way of looking at fruit, Traina Foods hopes to continue their expansion, going from a small company that produced sun dried apricots to a nationalknown brand that can be found in any kitchen. “What we’ve been doing is introducing people to ‘new,’” Vicki Traina said. “And, it’s good for you.” To learn more about Traina Foods, visit www. trainafoods.com, tomers because it feels cold and impersonal) at all times to ensure safety. Splash-n-Dash is more than just a place for kids to have fun, it’s a place where adults can let loose right alongside them. “I know people have an option in the Central Valley of where to spend their money and take their kids to do fun stuff,” says GathmanKent, “but I wanted to bring something unique and different.” the store’s shelving will definitely remain — the store will see a few new developments, including expanded hours, a kid’s corner and kid’s reading nights, and even an open mic night featuring music, comedy and poetry. The store’s thousands of books will be arranged more specifically, Pish added, from broad genres like Fiction to more specific categories like Thriller, Mystery, Romance and more. All of the new additions are meant to make the community feel as if they can spend as much time in the shop as they’d like, she said. “We’re trying to make it more welcoming,” Pish said. “It’s a really large bookstore, but we’re still a small business.”

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2018

NEWS

Multimillion-dollar grant brings nicotine and cannabis policy center to UC Merced

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

The state’s almond production is forecast at 2.45 billion meat pounds for 2018.

Record year for almond crops expected

Farmers hit hard by China tariffs BY KRISTINA HACKER 209 Business Journal

California’s almond crop is forecast to have a bumper year, but it’s unclear if farmers will be able to find buyers for their bounty of nuts. The state’s almond production is forecast at 2.45 billion meat pounds for 2018, up 6.5 percent from May’s subjective forecast and up 7.9 percent from last year’s crop, reported the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The forecast is based on 1.07 million bearing acres. Production for the Nonpareil variety is forecast at 910 million meat pounds, down .8 percent from last year’s deliveries. The Nonpareil variety represents 37 percent of California’s total almond production. The 2018 California almond bloom began a few days earlier than normal. The bloom period was extended, due to cold temperatures, and lasted a few weeks. Frosts during bloom hit orchards hard, especially on the east side of the valley. Younger trees were impacted more severely than older trees. Weather during the spring was variable, leading many growers to be unsure about their 2018 crop. As temperatures warmed up in May, nuts were sizing well. Hull split sprays have just began and are expected to pick up soon. Mites have not been reported as an issue so far this year. Report of disease pressure in almonds also remains light. The average nut set per tree is 5,677, down .6 percent from 2017. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,924 is down 13.9 percent from last year’s set of 5,717. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled

was 1.54 grams, down 1.9 percent from the 2017 average weight of 1.57 grams. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.70, unchanged from last year. A total of 98.8 percent of all nuts sized were sound. Despite holding the number one spot as Stanislaus County’s top crop in 2016, almonds posted the largest value decrease, dropping $366 million from 2015 to 2016. Almonds were ranked as the top crop in 2015 as well, but with a total value of $1.3 billion. The crop dropped below the $1 billion mark with $931 million in total value in 2016, the last recorded crop value. Agricultural Inspector Richard Homer, who helped compile statistical data for the 2016 report, said that despite a recordbreaking number of almond acres in Stanislaus County in 2016, reduced prices for almond meats (a drop of $2,460 per ton), hulls (dropped from $130 to $60 per ton) and shells (dropped from $25 to $5 per ton) resulted in a drop in value for the crop. “Some companies were giving away their shells to clear their inventory,” said Homer in 2017. California farmers are also feeling the effects of new tariffs announced by China on April 2. On March 8, the Trump administration announced global steel and aluminum tariffs to protect U.S. producers, exempting many nations – but not China. The country fired back at America by levying 12 to 25 percent tariffs on $3 billion worth of American goods. The crops that will be hit the hardest include almonds, which could face an additional $28 million in duties.

Special from UC Merced UC Merced has been awarded a $3.8 million grant to establish the UC Nicotine and Cannabis Policy Center, positioning UC Merced and the San Joaquin Valley region as a leading center for the study of public health and policy matters related to tobacco and marijuana. “Awarding of this center grant to UC Merced and its partners is a clear sign of the commitment, expertise and leadership of our faculty in addressing issues critical to both the Valley and the world,” Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Sam Traina said. The NCPC is the first tobacco policy center to receive funding from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program , an initiative created through tobacco taxes and administered by the Research Grants Program Office at the University of California Office of the President. TRDRP fosters research that enhances our “understanding of tobacco use, prevention and cessation, the social, economic and policy-related aspects of tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases in California.” NCPC Director Anna Song, a health psychology professor and expert in adolescent smoking behavior, said researchers know little about the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with tobacco use in the

Valley; the ways tobacco is obtained and consumed; the frequency of use and cessation; and why efforts aimed at prevention and control have been unsuccessful. Even less data exists on cannabis habits and how they may have changed after its recent legalization for recreational use. “The Valley has been largely underserved and, as a result, limited health and health-policy data about the region exists,” Song said. “We know that Valley residents are much more likely to use tobacco

cludes researchers from the region. Professor Mariaelena Gonzalez, one of the center’s lead researchers, grew up in Calaveras County, and postdoctoral fellow Anna Epperson is a long-time Stanislaus County resident and one of the first recipients of a UC Merced Ph.D. NCPC researchers will work in Valley communities with regional partners — including the American Heart Association (AHA), Healthy House Merced and local public health departments — to study issues such as smoking

I applaud UC Merced’s efforts to bring much-needed resources to our area and a deeper focus on how we can improve health outcomes in the Central Valley. —California Assemblyman Adam Gray and other drugs and suffer from tobacco- and drugrelated illnesses than residents of other parts of the state. However, there’s very little information on the extent to which Valley residents are aware of and support existing tobacco- and cannabis-control policies.” The center is designed to serve the Valley and in-

bans, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping and marijuana use to produce empirical research that informs tobacco and cannabis policy and accurately reflects real issues facing Valley residents. “The American Heart Association works for everyone to live longer, healthier lives,” said Lisa Jones Barker, AHA senior

Wolf plan protects nature Sale of habitat easement will help pay for Daniels Street to access Great Wolf BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal

Manteca is working on a plan that will partially fund the $8 million extension of Daniels Street to access the 500-room Great Wolf indoor water park resort, establish a habitat conservation easement, and keep bringing $100,000 a year in farmland lease revenue to help offset costs associated with the city’s wastewater treatment operations. The endeavor involves establishing the first habitat conservation easement in San Joaquin County on 417 acres the city bought in 2010 at 2300 Hays Road. Manteca’s Economic Specialist Don Smail noted the proposal is a “winwin all the way around.” Smail is handling the

city’s negotiations with the San Joaquin Council of Governments to sell a habitat conservation easement for the 417 acres that also includes riparian land on the San Joaquin River side of the levee. The price would not exceed $5,000 an acre or $2,085,000. The selling of the easement would restrict the use of the land in perpetuity for farming that also serves as habitat for birds and other animals. The funds to purchase such as easement come from developers required to pay fees to preserve habitat and/or farmland elsewhere when they go to convert existing agricultural and habitat lands to houses, commercial, or industrial uses. The city would retain

ownership. Currently fees paid for habitat conservation in San Joaquin County now go out of county to expand habitat easements elsewhere such as along the Cosumnes River in Southern Sacramento County. Smail noted that farmers in the general area of the Hays Road have sold easement rights for their property to secure continued use of it for agriculture and/or habitat conservation. The game plan is to use the projected $2,085,000 in proceeds from the sale of the easement to help cover the $8 million tab for extending Daniels Street and installing infrastructure such as sewer and water lines beneath it to serve the Great Wolf

vice president for Health Strategies. “As part of this amazing project, we are here to listen to the community and find out what obstacles exist to either quitting tobacco and vaping products, or never picking them up in the first place. If, through this project, the community can share thoughts and ideas on how to prevent the harm caused by tobacco, it will mean more years of wellness for those throughout the Valley.” Extra emphasis will be placed on understanding the factors that influence tobacco and cannabis habits among the Valley’s ethnically diverse teens and young adults. The center will also engage youth to serve as advocates for tobacco and cannabis control, communicating the center’s findings to peers and policymakers. “I applaud UC Merced’s efforts to bring much-needed resources to our area and a deeper focus on how we can improve health outcomes in the Central Valley,” said California Assemblyman Adam Gray, who represents Merced and Stanislaus counties. “I have every confidence that the NCPC will forge key community partnerships to successfully engage participants in a way that reflects the unique and diverse needs of those who live in our region.” resort as well as the envisioned family entertainment zone being pursued on city-owned land. Smail is also working on a federal Economic Development Administration infrastructure grant to assist with the road project. Manteca qualifies to apply due to the loss of jobs countywide in various sectors. Great Wolf will provide a combination of 500 permanent full-time and part-time when it is targeted to open in early 2020. The city, as a fallback position, can tap into remaining proceeds from the sale of the final Redevelopment Agency bonds. By using other funding sources, it allows the RDA funds to be used for other projects that were listed as benefactors of the bonds when they were sold to investors. Manteca bought the land near the San Joaquin SEE WOLF, PAGE 10

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Modesto receives 2018 City of the Year Award

On June 20, 2018 the Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County presented the City of Modesto with the 2018 City of the Year Award in recognition of its significant accomplishments benefitting the veteran community. The Stanislaus Veterans Center of Modesto, a joint project involving Stanislaus County, the City of Modesto, US Veterans Affairs and local veterans groups, opened just over one year ago. This new facility provides a one-stop service center to an estimated 27,000 local veterans in our community. The Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County is committed to bringing people, organizations and resources together in time, space, and effort to effectively improve the well-being of all Stanislaus County veterans of the United States Armed Forces. For more information on the Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County visit: www.vetsfoundation.org

Newman resident earns judgeship

Carrie M. Stephens, 54, of Newman, has been named to an interim appointment for a judgeship in the Stanislaus County Superior Court. Stephens has served as a deputy county counsel at the Stanislaus County Counsel’s Office since 1999. She has been a member of the U. S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps since Carrie Stephens 1991, serving as an appellate judge at the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals since 2017 and as a military trial judge at the Navy and Marine Corps Trial Judiciary from 2010 to 2015. Stephens served as a deputy public defender at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office from 1996 to 1999. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the Pacific. Stephens was elected in June, 2018 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Loretta M. Begen. Effective Aug. 3, 2018, the Governor’s appointment will allow her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January, 2019.

Stockton lawyer named to Who’s Who

John Cammack, Esq. is recognized by

Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in the field of Law in recognition of his role as an Attorney at Michael & Cammack. Having served the Stockton area for decades, Michael & Cammack is a wellknown law firm that has become a frontrunner in the legal industry. Cammack has attained over 43 years of experience in the field of law under his belt and has become well informed in the areas of commercial litigation. In addition, Cammack has had extensive experience in handling international clients from France, England, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Cammack attained his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University and his Juris Doctor degree from U.C Hastings College of law. In an effort to further advance his professional career, Cammack is a distinguished fellow of several organizations including the founding member of many nonprofit organizations in the area of law enforcement including the Bacon Bash, Inc. and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Foundation. President of the Stockton Police Foundation, Cammack has also served in the Stockton Civic Theater, the Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Delicato CEO named chairman of wine board

Chris Indelicato, President and CEO of Delicato Family Vineyards, has been elected Wine Institute Board Chairman for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The election was held at Wine Institute’s 84th Annual Meeting of Members in Santa Barbara. Other board officers elected are Hank Wetzel of Alexander Valley Vineyards in Healdsburg, first vice chairman; John Sutton of The Chris Delicato Wine Group in Livermore, second vice chairman; Suzanne Groth of Groth Vineyards & Winery in Oakville, treasurer; and Rick Tigner of Jackson Family Wines in Santa Rosa, secretary. Bobby Koch is President and CEO of Wine Institute. “I am honored to serve as Board Chairman and continue Wine Institute’s work advocating on behalf of the California wine industry. As a third-generation vintner, Wine Institute’s commitment to sustainable winegrowing aligns with our dedication to quality, innovation and environmental stewardship. Wine Institute supports key public policy initiatives, such as extending the Craft Beverage Modernization & Tax Reform Act beyond 2019

so wineries can continue to invest in the future, expanding export opportunities through the removal of trade barriers, and stopping excise tax increases in state legislatures around the country,” said Indelicato. Indelicato was born and raised in Manteca, where his grandfather, Gaspare Indelicato, planted the family’s first vineyards in 1924, and founded the Sam Jasper winery — which would eventually become Delicato Family Vineyards. He grew up in the wine business working alongside his father and uncles harvesting, crushing, bottling and even pouring behind the counter of the family’s tasting room, which is located at the company headquarters in Manteca. After graduating from the University of Southern California, he started his career as a licensed Certified Public Accountant. He joined Delicato Family Vineyards in 1994 working with his brother, Jay, on the viticulture and winery operations side, eventually serving as National Accounts Manager and, later, as Chief Financial Officer. He has held the position of President and CEO since 2004. Jay, who was the 2007-2008 Wine Institute Board Chairman, serves as Chief Operating Officer. Under their leadership, Delicato Family Vineyards is now a fourth-generation family-owned company and has grown to rank among the top 10 wineries in the U.S. with high-performing brands such as Bota Box, Gnarly Head, Noble Vines, Z. Alexander Brown and Black Stallion Estate Winery on the Silverado Trail. Recently, Delicato formed a strategic partnership with V2 Wine Group and was named the exclusive U.S. importer of Chilean wine Viña Santa Rita. Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses, which works at the state, national and international levels to support California wineries, whose retail sales in the U.S. reached $35.2 billion in value last year. Based in San Francisco, with offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C., six regions across the U.S. and 15 foreign countries, Wine Institute is guided by 80 vintners who are members and alternates on an active board of directors. The board elects the chairman and officers on an annual basis.

Merced County prosecutor selected for award

Matthew Serratto, a supervising deputy district attorney in the Merced County District Attorney’s office, has been named 2018 Prosecutor of the Year (Small and Medium Size Counties) by the California District Attorneys Association Board of Directors. “Matt is an exceptionally talented and dedicated prosecutor. His work in and out

of the courtroom in 2017 was simply incredible and he is most deserving of this highest honor for a prosecutor. We are hugely proud of Matt and his continuing contributions to public safety in Merced County,” said District Attorney Larry D. Morse II, noting that Serratto is the first Merced County prosecutor to be recognized as CDAA Prosecutor of the Year. Serratto, 37, was selected, in part, for his trial work in 2017, which included securing guilty verdicts in three murder cases, two of them involving multiple defendants, and a guilty verdict in an attempted homicide case. All of the cases were driven by gang activity, and two included special circumstance allegations which resulted in life sentences, according to Morse. Serratto was also the lead prosecutor in Operation Scrapbook, a 2017 multi-agency investigation directed by the District Attorney’s office that targeted Sureno gang members operating in Merced County and the Central Valley, Morse said. Operation Scrapbook led to the arrest of 74 gang members and their associates. Forty of the gang members prosecuted by the Merced County DA’s office have already been convicted, the others are awaiting trial. Fourteen of those arrested are being prosecuted federally, Morse noted. “It is an honor to be recognized by CDAA,” Serratto said. “Every case we handle and every trial we put in front of a jury is truly a team effort – from the officers spending days on nights on surveillance in order to keep our streets safe from violent gang members to all of our colleagues in the DA’s office who send the subpoenas, get witnesses to court and ensure we are prepared for trial to our attorneys and management who help talk us through cases, share ideas and put us in the best position to achieve justice.” Since joining the District Attorney’s office in 2007 Serratto has tried 57 cases to verdict, including seven murder cases, six attempted murder cases and 17 cases with a life sentence exposure. He was promoted to supervising deputy district attorney earlier this year. Serratto also serves as a member of the Merced City Council, having been elected in 2016. Born and raised the Bay Area, Serratto graduated from St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from UC Davis in 2002, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States. Following graduation he taught English in Belgium and Argentina through 2003 before returning to California to study law at UCLA where he also served as editor in chief of the Pacific Basin Law Journal, graduating in 2006.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

AUGUST 2018

BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS EMPLOYEE PERKS: Attract and Retain Workers for Your Small Business

AT WORK

Her attitude brings the office down BY LINDSEY NOVAK

Creators Syndicate

I recently started working at a small firm made up of sales and construction professionals. Only the president has an office; everyone else works in an open room. We don’t even have movable wall panels for privacy, but I think all employees should know better than to hang around others’ desks, listening to their conversations. The owner of the company stopped by my desk to discuss the work done on a project, so when he spoke to me, I spontaneously expressed some of my thoughts on it. The conversation should have taken place in his private office, but I had to respond on the spot to his comments. His secretary/administrative assistant whose desk is not anywhere near my workspace had passed by and stopped about 5 feet behind me, proceeding to stare and eavesdrop on our conversation. When I asked her a necessary question, she refused to answer and instead commented that things are difficult because “Mercury is in retrograde.” Most recently she nastily referred to me as “him” when talking to the boss while standing near me. Her openly rude responses everyday suggest to me she has a serious personality problem. She has never been friendly, not even in our introduction, she goes out of her way to not be helpful, she is always sarcastic when she does speak and she often flat out ignores any comment or request. Her permanent mood is dour. She seems to be in her late forties, but I don’t know anything about her education, personal life or background. What I do know is that she is always openly rude, inappropriate and unprofessional for a business setting. She would never survive in a large company where etiquette and professionalism matters. Unfortunately, she has worked for the president for several years and he has let her get away with her behavior without criticism

LINDSEY NOVAK CREATORS SYNDICATE

or comment. I don’t know how I might broach a conversation to him regarding her attitude, but it is unacceptable. If the office environment rates a five, she brings it down to a two.

You’re in a precarious situation since you have very little information on his assistant or their relationship. He may employ her for a variety of reasons, whether business, personal or a combination of both. Any negative mention of her may upset him, even if he agrees with your conclusion of her lack of professionalism. Unless he initiates a conversation with you on her low performance level or a comment showing his lack of respect for her, it would be best to not to address the problem. His reasons for keeping an employee so far below professional standards could range from him feeling a sympathetic connection to her, or experiencing an extremely high turnover of employees in that position before she took the job, or knowing he is difficult to work for, all the way to having hired her as a deep-rooted favor to a family member or close friend. Your first concern is to protect yourself from her foul personality, since you don’t know the depth of her mental problems. Someone who has no concern for displaying conventional politeness may also have a vindictive side with no remorse. Since she was rude from your initial meeting, refrain from talking to her unless your work requires it. Dour individuals often approach life with a negative and angry attitude, so be assured her open rudeness and sarcasm will continue, and likely escalate the more she feels annoyed with you. The reason for her foul personality is irrelevant since you can’t change it. But it’s most odd your SEE AT

WORK,

Small businesses and the benefits of conscious capitalism What are employee perks?

BY BRANDPOINT CONTENT

What drives someone to take the risk and start their own business? In many cases, it’s the knowledge that they can offer a great product or introduce new solutions to old problems. Passion and determination put entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation. What’s remarkable about so many small and medium-sized businesses today is that it’s not just the bottom line they’re after. Businesses are more focused than ever on socially and environmentally conscious causes. Take, for example, small business Bayou with Love, who partnered with Dell to create a jewelry line using recycled gold from old computer motherboards. The jewelry line is just one example of a small business prioritizing doing good for the planet.

Privileges granted to employees in addition to their salaries and beneﬁts. They have little to no cash value.

Perks can attract new employees over higher pay

PERKS

Percentage who said the perk would be taken into consideration when choosing a job

88%

80%

48%

Flexible hours

More vacation time

Work-fromhome option

Student loan assistance

Cuvee Coffee, founded by Mike McKim, partners with non-profits like Livestrong and &amp;lsquo;Austin Food &amp;amp; Wine Alliance.&amp;rsquo; McKim is also actively involved in Bunker Labs, an organization to help military and their 42% 39% 32% veterans 24% Free gym Free Weekly free spouses start and grow businesses.Paid

Cuvee Coffee practices direct trade, a model that considers environmental, financial and social sustainability as well as

EMPLOYEE PERKS: Attract and Retain Workers for Your Small Business

maternity/ membership paternity leave relationships. It personal

snacks

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and are often leaders in builds partnerships with their communities. Cuvee farmers who are good then pays well above marstewards of the land, pay ket prices for their coffee Perks contribute fair wages to their workers SEEto CUVEE, PAGE 10 employee satisfaction Better quality of life

53%

Employees feel valued

49%

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44%

4 in 5 Employees Want Beneﬁts or Perks More Than a Pay Raise

What are employee perks? Privileges granted to employees in addition to their salaries and beneﬁts. They have little to no cash value.

Perks can attract new employees over higher pay

Most Common Employee Perks 32% 28%

PERKS

19%

Percentage who said the perk would be taken into consideration when choosing a job

88%

80%

48%

Flexible hours

More vacation time

Work-fromhome option

Student loan assistance

14%

Flexible working hours

Professional development

Fitness/ health perks

Food/ snacks

But 42% of full-time employees have no employee perks at all.

42%

39%

32%

24%

Paid maternity/ paternity leave

Free gym membership

Free snacks

Weekly free outings

Perks contribute to employee satisfaction

Working from home

NO PERKS

A SCORE mentor can help you determine what employee perks your small business can provide.

www.score.org Sources: h t t p : //www. b u s i n e ss d i c t i o n a r y.co m /d e ﬁ n i t i o n /p e r ks . h t m l h t t p s : // h b r.o rg /2 01 7/02 /t h e - m o st - d e s i ra b l e - e m p l oye e - b e n e ﬁ t s h t t p s : //c l u tc h .co / h r/re s o u rce s /w hy- e m p l oye e - p e r ks - co m p a ny- c u l t u re - m at te r

PAGE 10

Better quality of life

h t t p s : //www.g l a ss d o o r.co m / b l o g /e c s - q 3 - 2 01 5/

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

WATER

FROM PAGE 1 improve conditions for fish and wildlife considerably without more challenging impacts on other water users,” according to the Board. The Board added that the local native fish population has declined dramatically, bringing some species to the brink of extinction. For example, approximately 70,000 fall-run Chinook Salmon adults returned to the San Joaquin Basin in 1984 but only 40,000 were counted in 2010. As of 2014, that number had fallen to 8,000. Last summer, Turlock Irrigation District endorsed an alternative plan, the Tuolumne River Management Plan, to help save the area’s native fish, which includes stream-bed gravel restoration, predator control and the strategic placement of rocks and trees along the river to provide a better habitat for fish migrating up the Tuolumne, rather than the increased flows proposed by the State Water Board, in addition to various other methods. In order to demonstrate the implications of the unimpaired flows, TID, along with Modesto Irrigation District, looked at data from 2015 to determine that the state’s plan would lead to $1.6 billion in economic output loss, $167 million in farm-gate revenue loss, $330 million in labor income loss and the loss of nearly 7,000 jobs. Through the Worth Your

CUVEE

FROM PAGE 8 and in return, the company gets the very best coffee and the farmers make substantial profits. By using ethical and altruistic principles to guide business practices, these entrepreneurs practice what many call “conscious capitalism,” and investors are taking notice. Investments from angel investors and venture capitalists have helped these businesses play their part in a national and global trend toward social betterment in business. Here are a few ways small businesses can benefit from conscious capitalism.

WOLF

FROM PAGE 6 River over a mile from the T-intersection of Airport Way and West Ripon Road in 2010 using fees collected on sewer connections. The city purchased it for $3.4

Fight campaign, TID and MID spread the word about when and how community members could voice their concerns to the State Water Board. In March 2017, MID and TID filed joint comments which addressed issues with the proposal and the $30 million worth of research the agencies put into the science behind their alternative plan, which was conducted through the relicensing of the Don Pedro Dam. The variability in the proposed flows allows the Board to annually review and make changes if necessary, Board staff said, such as in the event that non-flow measures implemented by water agencies do have positive impacts on the fish population. According to TID and MID, the Tuolumne River Management Plan is anticipated to increase fallrun Chinook salmon production over two and a half times the current production. “We are disappointed that State Water Board staff seemingly ignored the most recent, site-specific, peerreviewed studies performed on the Tuolumne River in favor of a flow-centric approach to managing the Delta and its tributaries,” TID General Manager Casey Hashimoto said. “We remain confident that TID and MID’s Tuolumne River Management Plan is the most sustainable option for the future of the Tuolumne and those who rely upon it.” The Worth Your Fight campaign alone submitted 6,589 It opens the door to more capital from investors When a company launches a humanitarian initiative or implements an ethical program, people pay attention. According to Fundivo, angel investments in altruistic businesses have been steadily growing since 2002 and roughly four jobs are created per investment. Moreover, a recent study from The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing reported that under sustainable and responsible investing guidelines, a total of $8.72 trillion was made in 2016, showing a 33 percent increase since 2014. Increased networking opportunities through crowdsourcing million or $7,529 an acre. It was purchased for possible use as future spray fields for land disposal of treated wastewater from Manteca’s wastewater treatment plant. Given the city purchased the property for $3.4 million and receive $2,085,000 for the easement if the sale

AUGUST 2018

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

(Pictured left to right) Turlock Irrigation District Assistant General Manager Steve Boyd accompanied Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Congressman Jeff Denham and Congressman Tom McClintock on a tour of Don Pedro Reservoir and New Melones Lake on July 20.

public comments to the Board in opposition of the proposal, and in a joint statement from the campaign, TID and MID expressed frustration at the fact that little has changed in the updated, final draft of the plan despite the public’s worry. “The State Water Board thinks this plan will have limited harmful effects,” the statement said. “But we know this water grab will have devastating impacts to our region, which is why thousands showed up and voiced frustrations when the State Water Board came to our communities.” Prior to Friday’s release of the final draft proposal, the State Water Board held its longest public comment period ever, which ended March 17, 2017. Since then, the Board has been working on the final draft and following its release is now asking for written comments on any changes until noon on July 27. By helping businesses reach like-minded changemakers, the tech industry has made it easier for small businesses to maintain a conscious mission statement along with a profitable bottom line. In particular, funding for socially-conscious businesses has become more easily achievable through crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Even Kickstarter owners Yancey Strickler and Perry Chen insisted that their crowdfunding platform become a Benefit Corporation, ensuring they remain focused on their mission to bring creative projects to life rather than simply increasing the size goes through, it would appear Manteca is losing almost $1.3 million on the deal. But that doesn’t factor in the $100,000 plus the city receives annually by leasing the 417 acres to farmers. They will be able to continue to farm the land via leasing the acreage out

“Apparently after a year of review and edits, the State Water Board feels it only needs to give our region 21 days to review and comment on the latest draft,” TID and MID’s joint statement said. The two districts joined other water agencies to petition the State Water Board to allow more time for commenting on a “proposal that will drastically impact our communities,” but their request was subsequently denied by the Board. Along with TID, local legislators and even the federal government have sent requests to the Board to extend the comment period and postpone their decision. In a July 19 letter addressed to State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus, Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon), Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced), Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), Senator Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) and Senator Tom Berryhill of their own profits. These crowdsourcing platforms are an efficient way for companies to find investors, but also to network and get their message out to a broader public.

A boost from tech At the center of many altruistic businesses is the robust use of technology, which has allowed many highly successful small businesses to support social and environmental causes. It’s not only that having dependable and easy-touse technology is critical for these businesses, but many tech giants have implemented programs to support conscious capitalism in small businesses. with the easement placed on it. So far $800,000 plus has gone back into the wastewater account. Ultimately the city’s wastewater enterprise fund will recoup the $3.4 million and then continue bringing in $100,000 plus a year in today’s dollars going forward to help

(R-Modesto) called on the board to extend the public comment period for the Bay-Delta Plan and to delay the board’s Aug. 21-22 hearing, where they will consider adopting the plan. The group of lawmakers believe the Bay-Delta Plan ignores stakeholder concerns and dismisses expert scientific testimony, they said, adding in their letter that a 21-day comment period is inadequate. “It has come to our attention that the State Water Resources Control Board intends to move ahead with their Bay-Delta Plan to release 40 percent of natural river flows to the Bay-Delta to bolster the populations of fish and other species. This plan would double the amount of water that is currently allocated for such purposes,” the letter reads. “Last year the State Water Board’s regional public hearings saw thousands of Central Valley residents and other stakeholder show up to voice their concerns with the plan because of the estimated damage to agriculture, the economy, groundwater and the quality of life.” On July 20, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke visited both Don Pedro Reservoir and New Melones. About a week later, the Department of Interior issued an official comment to the State Water Board. The Department of Interior’s comment noted that the proposed water grab “directly interfere[s] with the New Melones Project’s ability to store water” and “elevate[s] For instance, as one of the world’s leading IT suppliers, Dell has been particularly passionate about helping businesses with an eye for social change and environmental consciousness. Through its 2020 Legacy of Good plan, which outlines its own sustainability goals, it has helped small businesses use technology in a way that drives progress and social change. Dependable and affordable technology is essential to promoting social change, and that’s why so many entrepreneurs and investors are realizing that when paired with technology, ethical business practices can do a lot of good and turn a profit. offset future wastewater related costs for ratepayers. It also doesn’t factor in what the original purchase of the 417 acres did to the value of more than 100 acres attached to the wastewater treatment plant that originally was bought for $1,000 an acre. Because of the Hays Road

the Project’s fish and wildlife purposes over the Project’s irrigation and domestic purposes contrary to the prioritization scheme carefully established by Congress.” Interior’s comment also specified that siphoning off at least 40 percent of Central Valley’s rivers during peak season would result in significant reductions in water storage at New Melones and result in diminished power generation as well as recreational opportunities. DOI recommended the Board reconsider and postpone the scheduled August 21-22 public meeting to allow for “additional due diligence and dialogue.” Marcus said that a settlement without increased flows isn’t possible but hopes that all stakeholders can come to an agreement. “Flows have to be a part of any settlement because it’s part of any healthy ecosystem,” Marcus said. “There’s a different energy when folks are actually talking about a particular watershed and talking about how they can make it work better…I’m hoping we can get enough of that and reward the doers rather than the endless debate.” If the State Water Board does not postpone their hearing, it will take place Aug. 21-22 in Sacramento. Local opposition groups are planning to rally on Aug. 20 on the steps of the State Capitol in protest of the plan, and more information can be found at www.worthyourfight.org.

AT WORK

FROM PAGE 8

boss hasn’t made any attempts to correct it, since her unprofessional behavior reflects on him and his management ability. It would be unfortunate to leave a job due to this administrative assistant, but if she continues her verbal attacks on you, your time would be well spent starting a job search for a larger, more professionally managed firm. Email career and life coach LindseyNovak@ yahoo.com with your workplace questions and experiences. For more information, visit www.lindseyparkernovak.com and for past columns, see www. creators.com/read/Atdeal the city was able to significantly enhance the value of the land they own that has high exposure along the 120 Bypass and ultimately will be accessed by two interchanges once the project at McKinley Avenue and the freeway is completed.

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AUGUST 2018

4 NEW TRAIN STATIONS Stops being added in downtown Manteca, River Islands, Ripon, & Sharpe Depot site STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

ACE passenger service is targeted to start in downtown Manteca by 2023.

Bay Area and Sacramento commuters within seven years are likely to have five options where they can catch a train — all within eight miles by car of downtown Manteca. That will include one train daily from downtown Manteca to San Jose and two trains daily from downtown Manteca to Sacramento. A decision last week by the Tri Valley-San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority to adopt a preferred alternative to provide rail service connecting ACE to BART means a proposed ACE North Lathrop station will be built as a transfer station

on land that is now part of the Sharpe Depot site. That will serve as the initial valley terminus of the first phase of the Valley Link rail service connecting with the existing Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. A Valley Link station would also be built at River Islands at Lathrop. The endeavor to extend the Altamont Corridor Express to Ceres by 2023 means a passenger platform will be added to the Manteca downtown transit center. A station would also be built near downtown Ripon. The existing LathropManteca station just over the western city limits on Yosemite Avenue will stay in place. The possibility of moving that station a mile to the south to be closer to the 120 Bypass at a location near the future extension of

Daniels Street has been put on the back burner. Such a station would cost $25 million. “We decided to keep both stations (the existing Lathrop-Manteca ACE station and the proposed Sharpe Depot ACE/Valley Link transfer) because of the large ridership in the area,” noted Manteca Councilwoman Debby Moorhead who serves on the regional rail authority. It is likely the Sharpe Depot location would have a significantly larger parking lot than the Lathrop-Manteca station. Moorhead noted with $1 billion set aside for the two projects — the ACE extension to Ceres and the Valley Link to BART — it means both will become a reality. Amtrak service from Stockton to Sacramento started earlier this year.

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