Three members of the Ceres City Council rejected the idea of the city spending $5,000 to partner with the South Modesto Business United to help underwrite their Hispanic Heritage and Mexican Independence Day event.
Councilman Daniel Martinez brought forth the idea –supported by Mayor Javier Lopez – to place the item on a future agenda. But now it won’t.
“We had done so for the Fourth of July event that they had (at El Rematito Flea Market) where they had the drone show out there,” said Martinez. “It was a big event for the community. They are once again seeking help.”
Ceres resident Gene Yeakley quizzed Martinez on the desire to single out Latinos for celebration. The councilman said it was due to the heavy concentration of Hispanics living in Ceres.
Yeakley noted that other ethnicities aren’t celebrated locally.
“It’s fine they have these things but it’s depressing too when you’re pushed into these things all the time and you think, well, what about the rest of us?” said Yeakley. “The Hispanic community does a great job. They’re hard workers and I have no problem with that. But I kind of wonder why society doesn’t look at another aspect for the other groups of people behind the scene.”
Tony Madrigal, a former Modesto City Council member who represents the South Modesto group, stood up and mentioned the ways other ethnicities are celebrated nationally, none of them for Anglos.
Following that discourse, Ceres resident Shirley Rogers asked if “sponsorship means money.” Martinez said yes.
Councilwoman Rosalinda Vierra rejected the idea of sponsorship since it meant dipping $5,000 into city reserves.
“At this point it would be hard to say ‘yes’ to a donation until we know where we stand with ARPA funds,” said Vice Mayor Bret Silveira.
Councilman James Casey also didn’t want the city spending the money.
“I would support giving them the $5,000 for this project but it doesn’t sound like there’s major support,” said Mayor Javier Lopez.
With no consensus, the council won’t be discussing the matter as a formal agenda item.
