Examining the high rate of failure of SBA loans in the Mother Lode

While it was quite magnanimous for the president of one of our locally owned banks to inform us the other day how diversified their portfolio is, he only mentioned the sub prime market.

I wonder if this was intentional or he just forgot about how highly invested this particular bank is in small business loans.

Just a thought...

Yes, Censorship in Tuolumne County

A day or so ago I received a call from Chris Bateman at the Union Democrat. He indicted he had received my letters and basically, "they have taken the position to not print letters in which a Corporate Entity is involved" . That means the good, as well as the bad. Hmm. I really quite don't know what to think of this. In the paper the other day, Wikipedia trashed Sonora. Unfotunately, basically what Wikipedia was true. I quote "For the last two days last month, the city’s entry on the user-edited online encyclopedia described the town as a racist, elitist backwater." How True. Below is the article since I couldn't figure out how to make it link. In any event, Bravo to the Wikipedia writer.

Wikipedia vandal trashes Sonora in online posts

Written by Walt Cook, The Union Democrat September 08, 2009 11:21 am
Sonora has entered the debate over the accuracy of Wikipedia.

For two days last month, the city’s entry on the user-edited online encyclopedia described the town as a racist, elitist backwater.


Wikipedia has come under scrutiny over the years for inaccuracies due to its policy of allowing the public to generate new entries and edit existing ones. Defenders of the Wikipedia, though, say it utilizes the wisdom of the masses and is generally no less accurate than print encyclopedias.

Whatever the case, Wikipedia is nonetheless currently considering making its entries harder to edit, possibly by enlisting a number of expert gatekeepers.

Sonora’s entry makes a case for the proposed policy change.

From Aug. 23 to 25, according to Wikipedia’s records, less-than-flattering edits by someone with the user name “Vayne,” who claimed to be a 21-year-old Sacramento college student named Michael, could be found throughout Sonora’s Wikipedia page, which dates back to 2002.

Vayne said Sonora’s lack of racial and ethnic diversity, non-Christian places of worship and economic opportunities make it an uninviting place for some.

“Many (Sonorans) are of higher economic standing and tend to be unwelcoming to visitors without money,” Vayne wrote. “Visitors new to the area or who might be considered ‘ethnic’ should prepare for the high level of ethnic disparity by blending as best as possible. ... Most Latinos have sought work and opportunity elsewhere where they are less likely to be judged due to economic standing, skin color, or a linguistic barrier.”

Vayne also weighed in on homelessness in Sonora, saying, “The local government literally ignores the homeless problem.”

The entry was spotted by a Sonora resident on Aug. 24, who contacted Board of Supervisors member Liz Bass, who represents the city, and asked her to do something about it. Bass got some local staffers on the job of restoring Sonora’s entry.

Bass said the unflattering entry amounted to “cyber-vandalism.”

“It sounds like a disgruntled person who didn’t get what they wanted out of this experience,” Bass said. “I’ve lived here 37 years. Obviously, we do have shopping centers, a homeless shelter downtown, a bypass and people of color do live here.”

Vayne had claimed that Sonora lacked malls, divided highways and homeless shelters.

Monty Youngborg, a retired volunteer for the Tuolumne County History Museum, who does technical work for the museum, likes the idea of Wikipedia tweaking its policy, saying its editors “should have some verified pedigree.”

“You get these people, maybe they got into trouble with the cops, who can really make a mess and put out a lot of untruths,” Youngborg said. “You never know what sets people off.”

Youngborg called Wikipedia a “valuable tool,” which he uses often.

He said the more technical the entry, usually the more accurate it is.

Because of the plethora of false or biased data available not just on Wikipedia but throughout the entire Internet, Youngborg recommends that people use a “jaundiced eye” when surfing the Web.

“I think people are going to have to get a little more calloused at the Internet,” Youngborg said.



In any event, my poultry article, I suppose offended the Sonora Area Foundation and my Sonora Regional didn't set well with the "Corporate entity".

Sure seems like censorship to me.

The Blame Game

Why on earth do people, who really don't understand technology, blame technology on their PG&E bills. I suppose the thought is that for every Kilowat registered, 1.75 kilowats register. Of course, making the new meters the problem.

If we just weren't so darn selfish and conserve we'd all see a decrease in our utility bills. I ask you. How many new electrical appiiances do you have this year compared to last year. Did you happen to buy EnergyStar? Most likely the answer is a lot and no. I can honestly boast a 1,300 reduction in my kilowatt hours from last year.

People, please stop being so selfish with our resources. If you choose to use a lot of them, you'll have to suffer and pay for your share. It's not a conspiracy, really.

Censorship in Tuolumne County?

It couldn't be but I think it is. I submitted the Poultry blog and the Apples to Oranges blog almost two weeks ago to our local newspaper, The Union Democrat.

They have a wonderful page called Letters to the Editor. I've actually submitted a number of letters over the years...and always had been published. But this time. Not yet.

I can't help but wonder whether my two articles hit a little too close to home. We'll see how it plays out.

Apples to Oranges

About two weeks ago, a report was issued stating Sonora Regional was below the medium in the care they provided. The report stated that they were conservative on invasive treatments and they basically were mediocre amongst the other facilities studied (I believe they came in at 48%.)

So now a different report was issued stating that the Sonora Regional was in the top 20% for it’s care and services. I had to chuckle when they mentioned they accurately suggested cardiac patients take two aspirin and go home. Duh!

These reports are like comparing apples to oranges. I assume their belief is that when you are the only game in town, you can be the best you want to be when you want to be it. How many of us who no longer have a choice of health care providers in this county can get in the car and drive to the valley?

Whatever their standard of care it, it really doesn’t matter. Some of us no longer have a choice and we’re stuck with an organization that is either mediocre or pretty good, depending on the day.

The Poultry Barn

Well thank you & Hallelujah too! There is a new concrete floor in the Poultry Barn at the Mother Lode Fair Grounds! Thanks to the benevolent and almighty "Sonora Area Foundation"

It seems in these bad economic times they have generously committed almost $95K to the Community, specifically the Fairgrounds, which during the Fair this past year had extremely low turnouts.

I will only think of the Chicken and Turkey “Meals on Wheels” that won't be feeding the people of our County who need them when I stand on that new concrete floor under those four new fans blowing the smell of chicken sh*t in my brightly lit face.

Thank you and Good decision folks