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4A – Daily News – Saturday, May 15, 2010 Opinion Antelope facts Editor: 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 I consider Mark Garstang a friend. I will honor his desire to air this publicly and he should take no offense. As an Antelope School parent I feel duty bound to provide the following facts: The Booster Club wants to 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 build a shade structure for Ante- lope School children. As a board member, Garstang agreed to obtain bids for necessary cement work. I believe Garstang repre- sented that he would obtain at least 6 bids. When Garstang learned that other board members were seek- ing bids and even considering blacktop he became upset. It's my understanding that Garstang con- tacted the Booster Club president at her place of employment, Ante- lope School, and took a confronta- tional approach with her in expressing his displeasure with others obtaining bids. Garstang acknowledged his confrontational approach, as he was quoted at a subsequent board meeting as sar- castically saying to the president, “I'm sorry if you're uncomfortable with confrontation.” At the board meeting, when the bids were to be reviewed, Garstang presented one bid, not several as he had promised. There were two other bids presented by other members. Although the bid Garstang brought was the cheap- est, board members have related to me that it also lacked significant detail that was contained in the other two bids. This left the board members somewhat concerned about potential for unspecified future costs. Additionally, Garstang's conduct was concern- ing to board members. Why was he so upset about others obtaining bids? Why did he promise several bids and only bring one — from a known friend of his that has also been in his employ? nish the reputation of a group of hard working, community minded volunteers because you didn't get your way is an inappropriate endeavor. Andrew Harrison, Red Bluff Sheriff lowest bid they were comfortable with. No deals have been made or contracts signed. Interestingly enough, Garstang acknowledged that he did obtain several bids but he felt the one he provided to the board was the best. He further admitted that one of the bids he obtained was lower than the one he submitted, but he had concerns about it. Garstang states in his let- ter to the editor: “Everyone knows that when you put a job out to bid the low bid is what you are looking for.” Garstang appears to have a very subjective view relative to his assertion. The board opted to pursue the candidates Editor: I have read the letters from Dave Baker and Darrell Plemons, both past employees of the Sheriff’s Department and past supporters of Clay Parker. I agree with what both have said. I worked at the Tehama County Since board members learned that Garstang obtained other bids and concealed them from the Booster Club, in favor of the one he chose, they have scheduled a meeting to specifically address the cement issue. This was done prior to Garstang's letter being pub- lished. Board members feel that if folks in our community gave bids to Garstang, as a Booster Club rep- resentative, they should have an expectation that their bids be given fair consideration. I am confident that the Booster Club will revisit this situation and ensure that work is performed by reputable parties at a fair price. I suggest that attempting to tar- Sheriff’s Office for 17 years with both Baker and Plemons. I was a strong supporter of Parker when he first ran for the position of sher- iff 12 years ago, and in the past several elections. I believed in Parker and had the utmost respect for him. I can no longer say that. I had no desire to ever leave the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office. A lot of time and money was invested by the county and the tax payers to give me the training and experience that I received there. I still maintain a great working and personal relationship with many of the employees of the office. I could no longer stand the mis- management by Parker. I could no longer take the fact that Parker was never around, but always in Sacra- mento or some other place than Tehama County. Sometimes our elected officials must make a trip to some other place for duties related to their position. But not at such a rate that you never know if they are in town or who knows where. Parker states many times that he is involved in numerous organizations. He has listed these organizations many times. When does he have time to actually run the department? Park- er went from being a sheriff to a politician. Your Turn This is not Los Angeles or some other large county, it is Tehama County. We need a sheriff who will stay home and provide the citizens of Tehama County the service that they pay for with their taxes. This is why I support Dave Hencratt for sheriff. I have worked side by side with Dave for 20 years. He is the same person I met when I first came to work in Tehama County as he is today. I have the utmost respect for Dave and his abilities. Dave is honest, professional and very dedicated in his commitment to Tehama Coun- ty. I still learn from him to this day. Dave has great work ethics and will not be side tracked by the politician way. I would encourage everyone to take a close look at the sheriff’s department and see for themselves the problems that exist. I could fill up a page of the prob- lems I have seen while I was at the department and since I have left the department. Do not just take my word on this situation. Talk to other people in the community or if possible one of the dedicated deputies when they are off duty. It is time for a change and the sheriff’s department needs to get back to the basics. Richard Davidson, Gerber Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), 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), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 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; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. Herding cats and loosely coupled systems Commentary At the invitation of Dave Gowan and Kristin Behrens, I attended a recent meeting of the Red Bluff-Tehama County Cham- ber of Commerce. I was impressed with the businesslike meeting, the agenda, the number of items the chamber has on its agenda, the can- did discussions on issues and the knowledge of those present – with the exception of this writer. I was also impressed with the difficulty of their endeavors. Most of us are familiar with the term “It’s like herding cats.” We have two cats, and are reminded of that term each day as we try to escort them to the door each morn- ing, or the garage each evening. It’s not that they are defiant, but they want to do things their own way and on their own schedule. In many ways the different organiza- tions and entities the chamber tries to work with are like my cats. If we were a one industry coun- ty, like a company town was many years ago, it would be easy to make plans, assign responsibility, and hold those so assigned accountable for results, or lack thereof. The chamber has little authority except moral suasion and salesmanship; its mission is to further the greater good of the county, with a focus on Red Bluff by promoting activities that generate economic wellbeing. It operates in what would be called “a loosely coupled system” by the academics. It must work with such diverse groups as the Fair Board which appears to be accountable to nobody as far as I can tell, and the Board of Supervisors and City Councils who stand election. There are also many groups of semi-vol- unteer organizations, such as the Downtown Red Bluff Business Association, which support com- munity improvement. One fact I was surprised to learn was that our major service clubs do not belong to the Chamber of Commerce. Becoming a member is easy; there is information at the chamber website, www.redbluffchamberof- commerce.com; dues are based on the number of employees of busi- nesses and are $100 per year for individuals. If you are looking for a venue to work toward a better Red Bluff, the chamber would be a good place to consider. The Fair Board, it was reported, did not want to “put anything into writing” let alone explain their business plan for an upcoming event. I was a little confused about this; it seemed to me that a plan for an event was important and should be shared and that a memorandum of understanding would assure that the chamber’s efforts and those of the Fair Board could be coordinat- ed with clearly delineated respon- sibilities. On the surface this appears like an example of the problems that arise when working with petty fiefdoms. I hope it is just poor communications. During the meeting there was discussion about the proposal to develop a National Recreation Area on Bureau of Land Management property near the Bend. One director said there was some controversy over the matter, and he felt the chamber should not take a position on the matter. Others men- tioned that the proposal may inconvenience a few vocal people, but it had the potential to bring visitors and money to the community. In the end, the chamber was unanimous in encourag- ing the Board of Super- visors to pursue this project on the basis of the facts available; some of the allegations being circulated about the proposal have been based on misinformation. Joe Harrop When I was teaching future school leaders I used the book, Management of the Absurd by Richard Farson, as sup- plemental reading. Far- son is famous for his aphorisms. One that stands out in my mind after the chamber meet- ing is “There are not leaders, there is only leadership.” The cham- ber is attempting to pro- vide leadership, not an uber-leader to direct oth- ers. It is not an easy task; as I said above it reminds me of herding cats. There is power in people working together, power that can change a community. The power comes from the synergism of cooperation and common purpose. Last week we had 20 people In days of Stalin and the old Soviet Union five year master eco- nomic plans were turned out by the leaders, and each of them failed because of unreality or bureaucrat- ic blunder. It would be easy to appoint an economic czar for the Red Bluff area, but that approach would equally fail. We have many individuals, groups, and organiza- tions that have positive agendas for our community; helping get all of them on the same page is part of what the chamber is trying to do. over for dinner to meet our new called pastor. One of our guests made the statement, “I like the scorching hot summers. They help keep Red Bluff small.” I believe that we can improve the economic climate of Red Bluff without radi- cally enlarging our community or destroying our way of life. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net.