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8A Daily News – Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Opinion D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Critters Editor: Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer's home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 I am concerned about the number of squirrels, skunks, opossums, raccoon and deer seen dead on and alongside Tehama County roads. I'm living back in the neighbor- hood I grew up in and never saw an opossum at my side door — I did last week — and I don't recall raccoon or deer or wild turkeys so close to neighborhoods. Well, that tells me these crit- ters have lost their habitat due to house building all over the beautiful bluffs of this city. I hope someone cares, I do, and hope plans for parks and green belts get under way to help our wildlife. Daphne TeSelle, Red Bluff RBUHS cheering Editor: While watching the Enterprise- Red Bluff High school varsity basketball game Friday night I observed something that really deserves honorable mention. Both schools had great student cheering sections. However, the outstanding display of support from the Red Bluff students was fantastic. Perhaps they may not have the cheering experience and organization that the Enterprise group has but they were there for their team. These students were so loyal in cheering for their team in spite of the outcome of the game. Another observance, which was also outstanding, was the RBUHS administrator who kept a constant watch on the students' behavior. He made two trips to the Enterprise cheering section to quickly and quietly remove Red Bluff students. It was a class act how he accomplished this with a huge smile. Although I was cheering for Enterprise I am extremely proud of our Red Bluff High School stu- dent cheering section and the administrator who handled the sit- uation so professionally. Great job. Nora Rick, Red Bluff Governor abusing our rights Editor: Since when has it become legal for elected officials, such as the governor's office, to be allowed to hold the populous hostage with threats? Jerry Brown's threatening man- ner is appalling. He called Califor- nia a "land of dreams" as he steals our Constitutional rights, unalien- able rights and the universal decla- ration of human rights. It's appar- ent he thinks his wants are more important then our necessities. The California Constitution is unequivocal: "A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence" is essential to the "preservation of the rights and liberties of the peo- ple." Therefore, it says, the state shall provide a free education to its children. Article IX. Everyone in the U.S. is entitled to a free and equal education along with free transportation to and from our public schools. We as taxpayers pay for this in our taxes. Now he has taken that right away from us by withholding funds from our school districts for trans- portation. Without transportation, the poor, people who live in rural areas and working parents will be unable to get their children to school. This not only stomps on our rights it throws all who will be affected in violation as it is manda- tory for K-12 to attend school. However, he's allowed trans- portation for the handicapped and disabled to continue. Now he's in violation of discrimination laws. Mr. Brown signed SB48 into law making it mandatory for the Department of Educa- tion to add ethnicity, gender, religion, disabil- ity, nationality, sexual orientation or a charac- teristic listed in Section 220 of the Education Codes, so that school districts don't promote "a discriminatory bias." Your Turn When running for governor, Brown stood solid in stating he would protect education. As soon as he was voted in he wasted no time in reducing funds for our schools and hasn't stopped yet, losing thousands of teachers. Now in his State of State speech he claims, by threatening us, "if you don't vote for tax increases I will cut even more." He has already taken jobs away from our police departments, fire departments, libraries, parks and all other departments that affect the populous of this state with no regard. Now the truth comes out. Brown wants the high-speed-rail at whatever the cost to us, starting at $98 billion. He didn't hesitate getting the Legislature to approve several billion dollars in funding for the first phase of construction. Because of his arrogance and disrespect for his constituents he will cost this state even more money, as I'll be looking into all legal options hopefully starting a class action lawsuit based on all the above. Kathy Nelson, Red Bluff Firing employees Editor: Mitt Romney should be applauded for reorganizing com- panies and saving the remaining workers and stockholders from bankruptcy, through his venture capital company. The purpose of a venture capital company is usu- ally to find companies with poor management, and inef- ficient employees and turn them around to become efficient prof- itable businesses. Most failing businesses can- not be saved and there is bankruptcy. GMC and Chrysler are recent examples where over- paid unions and poor manage- ment caused bankruptcy. A num- ber of alternative energy compa- nies funded by President Obama's use of our tax dollars have failed and the result is the firing of thou- sands of employees and the loss of billions of our tax dollars. Pub- lic employee pension funds are the owners of many venture funds that result in the firing of workers as the company is reorganized to profitability. As a Chief Engineer of four companies, firings were a normal business practice during the dozen recessions these past 60 years. To save a majority of jobs, a top down directive will mandate terminating excess workers. On three occasions during my career, lengthy union strikes forced com- plete closure of the manufactur- ing plant as the company moved to a non union state with more efficient workers. Having terminated about 200 employees during a 45 year work career, rest assured that no employer wants to ter- minate workers. Most states and cities could have avoided bankruptcy by terminating excess employees during deep recessions, to match tax income. Joseph Neff, Corning Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3070 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. The daily joy of bus stop haters Commentary Every morning I get dirty looks. And you know what? I love it. Since Rena (she's my wife) got hired at a local school over a month ago, it's been my job to drop the kids off at the bus stop. I love the bus stop. There are a number of rea- sons why I can say this. First, it gives me a chance at some early morning bonding time with the kids before we rush off to school. Second, just standing there with them takes me back to my own childhood days when my own mommy stood with me. She did that each and every day. And, when I got back, she would be there waiting. The whole experience made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, not to mention the security that comes with routine. What's also neat about it is having the last word with Ethan and Mia before they get on the bus. "Have a nice day," or, "Be good in school," is what I usual- ly tell them. However, it's not what I mean to say. It's not what I mean to say at all. "I love you" would be more accurate. But, what kid wants to hear that in front of all their classmates while climbing up those few stairs? If I could put my finger on it, I think what I like the most is, for a split second, time seems to stand still as they climb aboard. And, thankfully, it's a process we will repeat each morning for a few more months until summer comes. It's a part of my day I wouldn't trade now for anything. For I know all too well how quickly times passes; and soon enough they won't be getting on busses. Rather, they will be jumping into cars, taking con- trol of their own lives. They won't need me as much and, quite frankly, I don't look forward to that. In the meantime, I stall. I look for any reason to have a chat with Paul, their bus driver. He's a great guy who obviously loves his job. I didn't remember on the first day that cars must stop for buses on both sides of the road while kids load up. So there I was – this first day back to school this month – with my head inside the door of the bus chatting it up with Paul. I looked up Monroe Street after our brief conversation ended. Cars were backed up a quarter mile and I felt a little embarrassed. Then, a funny thing happened: as the doors slapped shut and the bus drove away, I was pelted with dirty looks from passing drivers. Standing there alone, I cracked up. "This is our bus stop," I yelled happily, "so stare all you want." Sure, it's a little selfish, but I don't care. I know folks are in a rush to get to wherever they're going. But, I'm going to take that extra minute out of my morning to send off my kids. I think that is what's wrong with the world, anyway: people always rushing here and there without any concept of time. And, to me, they look so unhappy doing it. So, take a lesson Pat Gleason Face Time from bus stop dad: do yourself a favor and take an extra minute here and there. Life gets better when we slow it down a little. In the meantime, keep those dirty looks coming. They remind me how I'm doing the right thing. Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us. Have a great day. ———