The changing election scene
Today’s election could be the last time you cast your vote in your neighbor’s garage. San Joaquin County may follow other counties in establishing regional voting centers, replacing churches and people’s garages as official polling places. The subject will be considered by the SJC Board of Supervisors sometime next year in preparation for the 2020 General Election, according to county administrator’s office.
Here’s how the centers concept works, according to the nonprofit CalMatters website: “Every registered voter … will automatically receive a ballot in the mail, which they can either return by mail, place in one of the many drop boxes in spots such as libraries and courthouses around the county, or take to any county vote center. And they’ll be able cast their ballots in-person up to 10 days before the election, or [place] in a drop box up to 28 days prior to Election Day.” Sacramento is among the five counties that have already opted for voting centers.
OPEN: Lowe’s announced yesterday that they are closing 50 stores nationwide, four in California. Lodi is not one of them. (Smiley face).
CLOSED: The Woodbridge Inn Steakhouse has temporarily closed, according to a recorded message. But the Yelp website site claims the storied eatery is will reopen on Dec. 31, 2018. The Inn has changed hands several times over the past 25 years or so, but has managed to maintain a reputation for excellent food and spirits, none better than when Roy and Jeannie Reich owned it in the ‘70s.
GOOD EATS: The fish tacos at the new Rubio’s Coastal Grill are tasty and reasonably priced; the breakfast burritos at Mokelumne Brew House are exceptional; the oatmeal at the Village Coffee Shop could be the best in town (plus, their new location on Victor Road should open in about two weeks); the fajitas at El Maguey Mexican Grill are killer; the pork schnitzel at West Oak Nosh is to die for; the Blue Burger at Lodi Beer Company is outstanding — if you like blue cheese — and the fries are pretty righteous, too; the giant blueberry pancake (“Blue Cake”) at Avenue Grill is a meal in itself; the buttermilk pancakes at the Country Kitchen are delish; the salads at Habanero Hots could be the best in town; the Volcano rolls and chicken katsu at Matsuyama Japanese Restaurant are worth a try; the pastries at the House of Coffees, made by Sweet Cindy’s Goodies Galore, are worth the trip, even if you don’t drink coffee.
POLITICAL EVERYTHING: If you’re the type of person who strives to be politically correct in everything you do, even down to the wine you drink, Lodi’s Michael David Winery has the perfect bottle for you. It’s called, “Politically Correct.” Made from local Cabernet Franc grapes, the wine joins others in their collection — including one called, “Freakshow,” which could be reserved for occasions when you’re not feeling especially “correct.“Dot. Dot. Dot.
CORRECTION: Marilyn Schrock claims the actual fine for getting caught talking on a cellphone while driving is $157, not $20 as I originally reported. Humm. I investigated. The base fine is $20 for the first offense, but there are additional fees added to that. Naturally, this is California, after all. So the actual tab will exceed $150. The second offense is likely to run more than $250. On the third offense, cops can smash the phone with a hammer (not really). Either way, fines still don’t seem to be much of a deterrent as everywhere you look there are folks texting and talking while behind the wheel.
LITTLE BUCKS: One thing district voting has done for Lodi’s political scene: it’s reduced the need for candidates to rake in tens of thousands of campaign dollars in order to run. Take the race for District 2, for example — the only contested council race on the menu this year. Mark Chandler raised $4,100 and Spencer Rhoads a little over $2,300. In elections past, candidate war chests would easily swell to $20,000 and more. But when you’re only appealing to 20 percent of the electorate, the price per vote, so to speak, is far less.
TGIT: It’s almost over, folks. Local political observer Humble Hanks sighs, “Thank goodness it’s Tuesday. The retching you hear is from all the folks who are sick and tired of the constant barrage of political ads and phone calls and bickering. Nowadays, political campaigns are endurance contests. Politicians compete, but the public endures it.” Well said.
TOWN HALL TALLIES: People are naturally concerned about the spike in Lodi’s crime rate this year, but you’d never know it by the attendance at a recent town hall to discuss the topic. There was only a handful of people, plus city staff, on hand to discuss the problem. However, the place was packed to the gills when the topic was the homeless problem, which is not insignificant.
RANCH REPORT: Those posh new senior apartments under construction at Reynolds Ranch, near Costco, should be ready to receive their first renters by next April, says the developer. A labor shortage has held up construction, but when it’s finally done the Revel senior living community will include a fitness studio, spa, beauty salon, private dining, social club, indoor pool, theater room, and event space. Nice. Other projects in the works out there include a new hotel and an assisted living and memory care facility.
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