THE VOICE OF MODESTO

We scooped the Bee again

McClatchy Editorial slams former mayor’s restaurant

Mayor Carmen Sabatino’s H St. eatery, the Mediterranean Market and Grill, was the subject of a McClatchy October 31, 2009 editorial.

The McClatchy Bee editorial stated that:

We’re sad to see the “closed” sign on the doors at Ciao Bella in downtown Modesto it’s the best Italian eatery that’s ever occupied the 1200 block of H Street. The good news: Ciao Bella is being remodeled and soon will reopen as a Vietnamese restaurant.

The Mediterranean was moved, and then the space was open for its former cook as the Ciao Bella restaurant.  The Ciao Bella cook and owner started at the H St. Mediterranean Market and Grill as a dishwasher and was trained by a number of the best Mediterranean chefs.

Apparently, he was more successful as a cook than an owner, but he was a good cook for the Mediterranean, and the McClatchy editors felt he had an even better restaurant.  The McClatchy editors are sad to see Ciao Bella’s restaurant closed but the “good news” is that a Vietnamese restaurant will take its place. Go figure!

Here’s the background story not covered by the McClatchy Bee:

Modesto attorney Patrick McGrath, who has since lost his license to practice law, was Mayor Sabatino’s attorney and alleged partner. McGrath was running a huge Ponzi scheme but the McClatchy Bee editors and District Attorney Birgit Fladager did not care. As a result of their inaction, many others suffered financial losses that exceeded 3 Million dollars.  McGrath bought the building at 1222 H St. and demanded that the Mediterranean close.  Judge Jack Jacobsen allowed thirty days for the move while sitting in the back row of the court room was realtor, and political boss, Mike Zagaris. He probably was there to “experience the moment”.

A new Mediterranean Market & Grill restaurant opened on Thanksgiving Day five years ago under new ownership at 421 McHenry Ave. The McClatchy Bee made known that the Mediterranean Market & Grill was “off limits” to McClatchy employees, but the restaurant remains successful. 

Response to cheap shot at ex-mayor’s eatery

After reading The Bee’s Opinion (Oct. 31), I couldn’t stop saying “Wow!” at the boldness of the cheap shot aimed at Carmen Sabatino. I couldn’t believe my eyes that our esteemed editors could not pass on the chance to stick it to one of their vocal detractors by saying Ciao Bella was the best Italian restaurant to ever occupy that block. It makes you look petty and vindictive knocking a guy’s business, which was a successful and popular restaurant for years. I think you should have let it go.

MARK A. SMALLWOOD, Modesto

The McClatchy editorial has been characterized as a cheap shot, but it is much more serious than a petty exercise. The original internet version of the letter to the editor was accompanied by a photo of Mayor Sabatino with the following caption:

 “Former Modesto Mayor Carmen Sabatino is pictured on Wednesday morning (07-12-06) just outside the Stanislaus County courthouse in Modesto. The District Attorney’s office has decided to dismiss charges against him. Modesto Bee/ Joan Barnett Lee – Modesto Bee – Joan Barnett Lee”

 

 If the McClatchy Editors want to discuss the failure of the District Attorney & the Judge to convict the Mayor, we should discuss Mark Vasche’s refusal to come to the trial. The following is from a California Newspaper Publishers Association newsletter. 

 Mark Vasche could not be open and truthful with the Califrnia Newspaper Publishers Association and his peers.  Vasche was part of the prosecution team but the prosecution was not interested in having him in court..  Also Modesto’s City Manager was not present when the warrants arrived.