By Chris Murphy
Local news and journalism is really important.
The free and independent press at risk, newsroom budgets have been slashed and our common dialog is cloudy as people seek shelter in their own social media bubbles. Sound ominous? Maybe, but that is one of the reasons that I started ModestoView back in 1997.
We need a place for a continuous positive dialog. Not spin, but focus on the good. I had always assumed the local news would be handled and that good local journalists would digging into important issues and holding power accountable. We really can’t count on that in the future and we look to alternatives that have good and reliable and researched information.
Eric Caine was a long-time community columnist for the Modesto Bee. For a time, we both regularly contributed to the Bee and it was an important part of community dialog along with other voices like John Michel Flint and others. Over the last few years, Valley Citizen has been stepping in and doing thorough investigations and is building a following. They have been one of the vocal advocates for the homeless, which in the spirit of Thanksgiving and helping those in need, is an important focus.
The image of Flint is on the masthead of the Valley Citizen. Flint was a very direct columnist and didn’t flinch from the truth. Flint passed away in and Eric Caine one of his contemporaries has taken the lead in creating a well-organized news and information site. The issues surrounding homeless and inequality are a primary focus and these are hard to talk about, but tackling the tough subjects moves us forward and these things affect all of us. There are also important insights about our local living, nature and local wildlife, birds in particular. Eric is a retired English professor at Merced College. He is a UC Berkeley grad (Go Bears!) and has depth of knowledge and great ability to communicate. Let’s get to know Eric Caine and see how we can all learn more.
ModestoView: What did you enjoy most about teaching English?
Eric Caine: I’ve always enjoyed reading and the opportunity to revisit some of my favorite books and essays while looking closely for the “lessons” they contain with the purpose of communicating those lessons was always enjoyable.
MV: What attracted you to become a columnist for the Bee back in the day?
EC: The Bee had a contest. Since I was teaching writing, I decided to try to experience writing for publication.
MV: Why did you start the Valley Citizen?
EC: I felt there was a need that local media were not meeting. I began mostly with water stories because the appropriation and exploitation of a public resource for private gain is one of the least understood issues throughout the Valley.
MV: You and John Michael Flint had a different approach to events and issues, how did he become the inspiration for Valley Citizen?
EC: John was an honest man who believed in the pursuit of truth through good journalism. I would like to think his spirit animates our quest to pursue truth and justice.
MV: Over the last 20 years, how have the issues changed in our community?
MV: The biggest change is the burgeoning growth of homelessness and poverty. Water has been an issue all along, but people are beginning to understand that it will grow in importance with the oncoming rush of climate change.
MV: What do you think will happen with local newsgathering?
EC: It’s hard to be optimistic about newsgathering at this moment. However, I see two general trends: (1) The news giants will continue to broaden their scope and grow; prime example is the New York Times. (2) Niche news sources with a close focus on local news will develop and become sustainable. Most will remain small scale while fulfilling a dire need for local news, especially news that covers politics, government, and the environment.
MV: Do you think that people don’t know what is really true, or are they just trying to go along?
EC: There is a widespread knowledge deficit about issues like homelessness and water. I don’t think people are so much “trying to go along” as trying to survive. It’s become harder to enter and stay in the middle class. The very wealthiest among us are content with the status quo. Others are frustrated at the decline of the working and middle classes.
MV: How do you think we will make some big moves on combating homelessness, is there a big solution in our quiver of resources?
EC: There is no one “big solution.” We will make big moves if and when the public becomes better informed about the forces that are driving homelessness, including rising costs and stagnant wages, housing shortages, and broken systems of care. It is crucial that we stop demonizing and dehumanizing homeless people. Our current tactics for dealing with homelessness are cruel and inhumane. We need to recognize that the majority of homeless people are human beings in dire need through no fault of their own.
MV: Homelessness has been an issue for centuries, what makes it so different now? EC: The difference now is that it is so widespread and continues side by side with huge concentrations of wealth in fewer and fewer hands. When fewer and fewer people have more and more money, more and more people have less and less money. America has more than enough resources to mitigate extreme poverty. It lacks the political will to do so.
MV: There is so much more happening in our community, what are things you would like to cover more if you had the resources?
EC: I would focus more on our County Board of Supervisors, City Council, representatives in the House of Congress, and our local representatives at the state level. I would do much more on water and the environment.
MV: What do you want people to know about Valley Citizen that they may not know? EC: The Valley Citizen is informed and inspired by local citizens. They are the brains and backbones behind every story.
MV: Are you looking for contributors and what can people do to help spread the word about what you are doing?
EC: Best way to “spread the word” is by word of mouth. Ask your friends whether they’ve seen the latest story on the City of Modesto’s tactics for dealing with homelessness or the latest update on the race for congress. I will always look closely at contributions with a local focus.
MV: What do you most enjoy about Modesto?
EC: I live in a great neighborhood and we have a vibrant local arts scene.
MV: What do you wish most for Modesto?
EC: I hope we will be better able to express the will of the people when the people are better informed and more engaged in local issues.
MV: And finally, Beatles or Stones?
EC: Stones. I did, however, very much enjoy Ringo Starr’s recent appearance here.
You can contact Eric Caine at thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net<mailto:thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net>
Become of supporter and reader at www.thevalleycitizen.com<www.thevalleycitizen.com>
