The numbers are starting to come in for the City of Lodi, and they are not pretty

And now for the fallout. As we reported here earlier, sales tax collections in Lodi have tanked and the city budget for 2020-21 is going to be bloody painful. Among the areas hardest hit will likely be the police department, the largest consumer of general fund dollars. The police have reportedly been asked to amputate $2 million from their upcoming budget. The surgery could mean freezing seven officer positions among other vacancies within the department, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly about it. Police Chief Sierra Brucia says they are still going through the budget review process and that the final numbers will be available later this week. If the aforementioned reduction proves to be true, after the cutting is done the department will be back down to only about 70 officers. This news is in sharp contrast with what the sheriff ’s department is doing. They’re offering up to a $10k signing bonus for new recruits. Here’s the rub: a deputy sheriff I starts off at about $60k, while a Lodi police officer (not a trainee) starts at about $79k. … The Lodi police officer who was allegedly canned for refusing to enforce state-mandated COVID-19 business closures is the son of Pastor Jon Duncan of Cross Culture Christian Center, the same Lodi church that declined to abide by coronavirus shutdown orders. … The police department posted a Mother’s Day video on their Facebook page showing officers and others thanking their mothers for their support. Very cool.

BUILDING BOOM: The homeless encampments have been moved out and the heavy equipment has moved in to make way for a new 25-lot subdivision located on 8.47 acres of property behind the Target shopping center. It will be called the Interlaken subdivision and is being developed by Dennis Bennett of Bennett Homes of Lodi. Bennett says the lots are large and will range from $250k to $300k. Several of them are already spoken for, he says, and streets should be done by September. Construction could begin as soon as this fall. Bennett says the homes will be a minimum of 2,200 square feet and maybe as large as 4,000. His company also has a 150-lot development in Reynolds Ranch (think Costco) that’s going before the planning commission for approval in June. Bennett is probably the Lodi area’s largest homebuilder in total number of homes constructed.

PANDEMIC PANDEMONIUM: A Lodi Walmart employee reports that a woman approached her to look at a watch in a locked jewelry case. She kindly informed the woman that the jewelry department is currently closed. The woman blows a fuse and commences to throw a complete hissy fit, yelling and throwing items on the floor. Cleanup on aisle five! Not satisfied with just raising a ruckus, the woman then starts coughing all over Walmart employees. But wait, there’s more. The disgruntled customer then starts licking her hands and touching merchandise. Hard to blame that behavior on the pandemic.

VIRUS HUMOR: Lodi winery owner Dave Lucas asks the question of the week: “Is it true that drinking Lodi Zinfandel is a great defense against C-19? (It) may have something to do with the lower C-19 (cases) here! I’m certainly just fine, along with everyone around me!” Good question. Probably requires testing. Lots of testing. … Not so funny is the announcement by Jesse’s Grove Winery that they are canceling their 2020 “Groovin’ in the Grove” summer concert series. In an email to customers, winery owners said, “We can’t express how devastated we are to not host you this summer.” Scheduled shows included, Mania! The Live Beatles Experience; Fleetwood Mask The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac; and Forejour - Tribute to Foreigner & Journey. All acts have been invited back to perform in 2021.

FARM FRESH: The annual farmers market starts May 14, but this year it will be held in the First Baptist Church parking lot (Mills Avenue at Lockeford Street) instead of downtown, thanks to The Virus. The event is sponsored by the Lodi district chamber of commerce and will be Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those are just some of the changes. The market will only consist of produce vendors — 25 of them — and one food truck. But beware. You’ll also get your hand spanked if you try to finger the tomatoes, or anything else. You must now point at what you want and the farmer will bag it for you, says chamber CEO Pat Patrick. Plus, the crowd will be limited to about three or four deep per vendor. Patrick says they would like to return the market to downtown as soon as state guidelines permit, which may not be until next year. “We have to play by the rules, and the rules have changed,” he says.

TEACHERS HELPING TEACHERS: It’s been an interesting school year, to say the least. Besides the academic year being shortened by 25 percent, teachers have had to quickly shift to online instruction, learning as they go. Amid the tatters of this odd school year comes a dribble of good news. A little-known support group for teachers is the California Retired Teachers Association, which advocates for teachers (and students). The group recently awarded five $250 mini grants to students from LUSD, including recipients Sara Estrella from Washington Elementary School and Zack Luchetti from Lodi Middle School. The group also awarded several $1,000 grants to local area students who’ve expressed an interest in becoming teachers themselves.

SIGNS: Lori Heyd spotted a sign that read, “I can’t believe I can walk into a store to buy weed but I have to meet my hairdresser in a dark alley with unmarked bills to get a haircut.” Yup. It’s a toss-up as to who looks worse these days — you or your dog.

HELPING HANDS :In addition to countless businesses that are hurting because of the COVID-19 shut-down, many local charities are also struggling to keep the doors open. Lodi House is one of them. According to board member David Griffin, the shelter for homeless women and children remains occupied during the lockdown, but their thrift store — a significant source of operating revenue — has been shut for about two months. That means the organization has largely been using savings to see it through. … The Salvation Army is another one. They’ve seen the demand for food and other assistance skyrocket since the pandemic shutdown began. Besides cash they’re also in need of food donations, which they are receiving at their Lockeford Street location. … LOEL Center also relies entirely on donations to fund their activities. The organization serves the elderly community with meals-on-wheels and meals on site. Donations have shriveled since the dining hall was closed in order to keep people safe.

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