Comstock's magazine 0118 - January 2018 | Seite 17

this month's
CONTRIBUTORS
ALLEN Allen worked for the Sacramento Bee
PIERLEONI as a writer and editor in the features
“Labor of Love,” department for 30 years, and has
pg. 38
long-advocated for sensible immigration reform that would
secure our nation from inflows of undocumented immigrants
while also providing the guestworkers needed for our agricul-
tural economy. It’s possible to secure our borders and provide
the skilled immigrant workers needed for a growing and di-
verse economy, but fixing our immigration system will require
compromise and bipartisanship.
In 2013 the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive immi-
gration bill, SB 744, by a vote of 68 to 32. The bill would have
bolstered border enforcement and dramatically reduced rates
of illegal immigration, while also providing for improved
guestworker programs and opportunities for undocumented
immigrants currently in the U.S. to obtain legal status after
undergoing background checks, payment of fines and fees,
and meeting other requirements. The Congressional Budget
Office calculated the resultant economic benefits of SB 744
would have reduced the federal budget deficit by more than
$840 billion over a 20-year period. However, the House of Rep-
resentatives refused to consider the bill and nothing changed.
The current political climate in Washington D.C., favors
inaction over compromise and anti-immigrant rhetoric over
immigration policies that would fuel economic growth. Con-
tinued inaction threatens to unleash dramatic change — not
for the better — for Cali fornia agriculture and our wine indus-
try. We need compromise. We need common sense. We need to
resolve our immigration mess.
written about homelessness for the
Miami Herald and the San Jose Mer-
cury News. “Sacramento's ongoing
public debate about how best to help
the homeless is well-meant and pas-
sionate, yet I don't think the issue
can be tangible unless you actually
spend time at a shelter like Loaves &
Fishes with those who survive on the
streets,” he says. Read more of his
work at www.sacbee.com, or visit his
Facebook page.
ELI MARGETICH Eli is an aerial photographer and vid-
"Beyond Basketball" eographer specializing in cityscape,
pg. 44
landscape and event photography.
A Sacramento native, Eli uses aerial
photography as a way to admire and
share his love for his city and all it
has to offer. On photographing the
Golden 1 Center for this month’s is-
sue., he says: “I wanted to capture it
while it was in full effect and in all its
glory.” His work has been featured in
Comstock’s, Sactown Magazine, and
local companies and organizations,
such as Sacramento Republic FC. Eli’s
work can be seen at tourdedrone.
com or on Instagram @tourdedrone
and @aerialsacramento.
JENNIFER Jennifer writes about science, nature
BERRY and the environment for all ages and
“The Seeds audiences and is the interim associ-
of Innovation,”
ate editor at Comstock’s. Regarding
pg. 52
John Aguirre is president of the California Association of Winegrape
Growers, representing growers of over half the state’s grape tonnage
crushed for wine and concentrate. CAWG advocates for public policies,
research and education programs, and sustainable farming practices to
enhance the business of growing California winegrapes. Aguirre also
serves on the board of directors of the National Wine & Grape Initiative.
her feature in this month’s issue,
she says, “After countless hours of
research and talking with scientists,
I discovered the issues surround-
ing the development of improved
crops using existing and emerging
biotechnologies is far more complex
than I ever imagined.” She earned
her B.S. in biological sciences and
completed UC Davis Extension’s
two-year creative writing program.
Read more at www.berryink.net.
January 2018 | comstocksmag.com
17