Big money poured into city council races
We’re talking big money, at least for Lodi. The seven city council candidates collected a total of $111,000 for last November’s council election. The interesting part is that one candidate, Mikey Hothi, raised nearly half of it ($45,826). That is probably a record for one candidate. The vast majority of his money came from lobbyists and other well-connected types in the Sacramento-Elk Grove area, where he works as an aide for Assemblyman Jim Cooper.
Another fabulous fact is that all the money was for just two races — districts 4 and 5 — surely another record. When the dust cleared, Hothi outraised everyone else by almost by a 2-1 margin. Coming in second is Shakir Khan, who loaned himself $25,000. Joanne Mounce came in third overall, raising a smidge more than $20K. Nati Bowman hauled in $9,350, followed by Hector Madrigal with $8,878, Michael McKnight with $2,740 and Ramon Yepez with $1,961.
Most of the candidates spent what they raised, but Hothi finished up with an ending cash pile of $18,000. Nice seed money for re-election in four years, or to be used to run for higher office (like his boss’ seat in two years), a topic he has so far refused to discuss. A few of the candidates get tardy slips because they haven’t filed their final reports yet, so the numbers could be slightly higher.
REMEMBER WHEN: If you think COVID-19 is bad — and it is — consider the Spanish flu of 1918-19. It killed millions and left thousands of children orphaned. Someone who had the dreaded disease and lived through it is Lodi’s Dixie Belletto, 105 years old. She is one of only a relatively small handful of people from that era still living. Her story was told in a recent San Francisco Chronicle article. Dixie was quoted as saying, “The people in back of me had a child my age and that child passed away. I remember my mother brought me to his services later. Children were dying and people were dying. Yes, I remember.”
Dixie continues to live at home in Lodi. She was a regular gymgoer well into her 90s. … If you think COVID restrictions are over the top, in 1918 the Lodi City Council decreed that everyone would wear a face covering of some kind or spend three days in jail and\or pay a $100 fine. Masks don’t seem that onerous now.
BUSINESS BUMMER: It’s been a rough year for the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce. Two of their most profitable events, the annual Street Faire and the Farmers Market, were either canceled or scaled way back last year because of COVID-19. The farmers market was moved in 2020 to the parking lot of First Baptist Church on Mills Avenue. Vendors were basically limited to selling food and vegetables and the crowd size had to be managed by the Chamber. Fast-forward a year later and not much has changed. The pandemic is still raging, even though vaccines are being rolled out and state restrictions have recently been moderated.
Will there be a Street Faire and a Farmers Market this year? Good question, says Chamber President Pat Patrick. His board will meet at the end of this month to make a final decision, but it’s not looking good. Patrick says city-imposed restrictions would make it hard to break even, were they to hold it this year. He says the city is “scared about the Street Faire” because vendors would be too close together and the Chamber would be unable to control the crowd size. “It would be too big, too dangerous,” says Patrick.
But the city isn’t the only one worried. Patrick says even vendors have expressed concerns about COVID safety, saying it is too dangerous for them right now. … It’s the same story for the farmers market, he says. The city has already said they want no bands playing and fewer vendors, with more room in between booths. Patrick says it would cost the Chamber a minimum of $20K to stage the market downtown, with a dim likelihood that it would break-even.
So, while not official yet, don’t get your hopes up that either event will be held this year. The Faire is usually held in May and October. The Market usually runs Thursdays from May to Labor Day in downtown. … Speaking of things being tough for the Chamber, the organization is down to three employees from seven a year ago. Patrick says the Chamber is “reinventing” itself. “COVID took who we were away,” he says. Acknowledging that the organization is a small business, Patrick feels fortunate that their members have stuck with them, with 85% of member dues coming in.
BUSINESS BOOMING: Sunnyvale-based medical diagnostic products manufacturer Cepheid is expanding their Lodi operations. The company, which currently has a manufacturing plant on Guild Avenue, is expanding their facilities on the site which used to house Blue Shield. That building has been torn down to make way for new manufacturing facilities and administrative offices. Construction documents are being reviewed as the city works to fast-track the project, according to Community Development Director John Della Monica. He says the company is adding approximately 750,000 square feet of high-tech manufacturing and related support space. All this is good news for the local labor market, as Cepheid expects to double its existing Lodi workforce, according to reports. Cepheid is a major manufacturer of COVID-19 testing kits, among other diagnostic products.
FAN FAVORITES: With local restaurants beginning to reopen, at least for outdoor dining, here are some more readers’ favorite dishes: Spencer Rhoads likes the Blue Burger with pesto fries from Lodi Beer Company. … Cyn Graves is a fan of the filet mignon from Zin Bistro … Stacy Kermgard loves the taco plate or grande burrito from Habanero Hots. … Ed Wall’s favorite French dip is from Woodbridge Crossing. … Christina Miller likes the beef salad from Thai Spices. … Ellen Ashbaugh loves the San Joaquin Salad from Hollywood Café. … Ron Tobeck and Dave Main think the lamb shanks at Zin Bistro are the best. … Ashley Jeffery votes for the chicken piccata from Pietro’s. … Melissa Hamilton loves the enchiladas with rojas sauce from El Maguey. … Heather Garcia likes the Apple Hill pizza at Smack Pie Pizza because it’s drizzled with honey! … Cari Warner likes the vongole from Pietro’s. … Carrie Nelson Martin loves California Al’s and their California omelet. … Terri McNally Walther loves the corned beef from Richmaid. … JoAnne Mounce is a big fan of the broasted chicken and waffles at Richmaid. … Lisa Marinucci likes the turkey cranberry sandwich at The Dancing Fox. … Denise Stanley likes the pesto tri tip sandwich from Tin Roof. … Leona Marino loves the omelets at Denis' County Kitchen. … Klarin Mcgaughy-Fausett likes the veggie fajitas at Angelo’s. … Denise Stanley Best thinks the sweet potato fries from Porters Pub are the best. … Donna Beckman likes the mushroom risotto at Pietro’s. … and Steve Ding recommends the prime rib at Woodbridge Crossing. But then again, he owns the place.