Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/108212
6A Daily News – Thursday, February 7, 2013 Opinion DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U NTY S I N C E 1 8 8 5 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 letters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All letters must be signed and provide the writer's home street address and home phone number. 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 submitted will be considered for publication. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Governor should repeal Fire Tax and refund money Editor: In light of CalFires's diversion of settlement funds that should have gone to the state general fund, Republicans ask that the Governor repeal the State Responsibility Area (SRA) tax, return the monies that have already been collected and conduct an audit that would investigate how CalFire utilizes the taxpayers' money. Below is a copy of the letter Republicans sent to Governor Brown on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. The letter was sent by myself, Bob Huff, Connie Conway, Don Wagner, Curt Hagman, Kirstin Olsen, Frank Bigelow, Scott Wilk, Eric Linder, Marie Waldron, Rocky Chavez, Tom Berryhill, Brian Nestande, Mike Morrell, Ted Gaines, Jim Patterson, Melissa Melendez, Mark Wyland, Brian Jones, Tim Donnelly, Jean Fuller, Steve Knight, Mimi Walters, Bill Emmerson and Beth Gaines. Dear Governor Brown: Recent news reports about the budgeting practices of state departments are undeniably disturbing, from the hidden slush funds at the State Parks to the blatant diverting of CalFire settlement monies collected from businesses. It has come to our attention that the State Attorney General authorized the transfer of $3.6 million in CalFire's settlement monies to an outside organization since 2005. This subterfuge money has been spent on a wide array of questionable expenditures that has nothing to do with reimbursing the state for firefighting costs, including $33,000 at a luxury resort in Pismo Beach and the purchase of 600 digital cameras. While millions of taxpayers' dollars have been hidden in this secret fund, cash-strapped local fire safe councils are scrambling to find money to provide preventive services such as fuel reduction and forest thinning. In the Northstate, the Shasta County Fire Safe Council, for example, is looking at selling firewood just to remain solvent in order to meet local service needs. According to the budget you submitted to the Legislature, CalFire will not be using the State Responsibility Area (SRA) fire tax revenue solely on fire prevention as was its stated statutory purpose; but on administration and other bureaucratic costs which will not provide the promised prevention benefit to SRA taxpayers. In the 2013-14 budget, CalFire asked for permission to use part of the approximately $90 million collected from the SRA tax to pay for 10 permanent staff positions to support the Civil Cost-Recovery Program, the very program from which the hidden funds derived. This will take away $1.7 million from fire prevention purposes. While we still believe this tax is illegal, at a minimum the money should be used for its stated purpose – preventing wildfires. It is clear that the state has not been judicious in its use of taxpayer dollars. The state must stop these outrageous duplicitous tactics. To ensure the public's trust, it is imperative that you make a request of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California to have this investigation referred to his office. Public perception as well as the public's trust in the ability of CalFire (as with most state agencies) to provide basic public safety and fire prevention has already been severely tarnished. Reports of hidden slush funds have led us to this conclusion: that we must restore the public's implement serious long-term solutrust by repealing the tax, return- tions to our nation's dire financial ing the monies that have already situation. It simply waived the debt been collected and conducting ceiling until May 19, giving the an audit of the way in which Cal- federal government a green light Fire utilizes the taxpayers' to continue borrowing whatever it money. needs to cover its insane spending Such situations are not addiction. unique. They are historic, pervaNo spending cuts. No offsets. sive and endemic in No progress in reining many state agencies. It in federal spending, Your is time for concerted leading to a balanced action to weed this budget. abuse and possibly illeIn fact, just the oppogal activity from the site is true. fields of California Reliable estimates government. suggest HR 325 will add half a trilSen. Jim Nielsen, Gerber lion dollars to our current debt ceiling, raising the total to $17 trillion. When asked, LaMalfa described his vote as "distasteful, but necessary." Dare I say, I'd call it distasteful, dishonest and disingenuous. Editor: Pete Stiglich, Cottonwood Recently, I took the liberty of reminding Congressman Doug LaMalfa of a promise he made during the congressional primary Editor: campaign to vote against any proFrequently newspapers and posed increase in the nation's debt TV reporters will claim a ceiling. weather situation as the worst This was a promise I would not ever, when in fact they only soon forget. Turns out, though, mean the worst in the 125 years Doug's memory isn't quite as reli- of accurate weather reporting. able. Our earth is billions of years Knowing a vote to increase the old and there have been many debt ceiling would likely be one of cycles of global warming and LaMalfa's first important votes, I cooling, and repetitive natural wondered if he would keep his events such as the recent East promise or knuckle under to the Coast hurricane. pressures of party politics. The only thing that has To no surprise, Doug choose to changed from the extremities of cozy up to party leadership when normal weather cycles are the he cast his vote in favor of HR 325, higher density of residents in the gimmicky "no budget, no pay" the weather path. Our nation bill. proposes spending trillions of Perhaps republican House our tax dollars to ineffectively Speaker Boehner's attendance at a deal with the current natural fundraising event at LaMalfa cycle of global warming. Farms during the 2012 campaign How sad that a politically played into Doug's decision. Such incompetent majority now conan endorsement comes with a very trols our nation from Washinghigh price tag. Obviously, one ton and Sacramento and similar must be careful not to bite the know-nothing political areas of political hand that feeds you. majority incompetents. Frankly, HR 325 did nothing to Joseph Neff, Corning Turn Distasteful, dishonest, disingenuous Climate cycles Mission Statement We believe that a strong community 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 vehicles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its communities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the residents 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 Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 1550 Humboldt Road, Ste. 4, Chico, CA 95928, 530-895-4217 STATE SENATOR — Jim Nielsen, 280 Hemsted Dr., Ste. 110, Redding, CA 96002, 530223-6300, Fax: 530-223-6737, senator.nielsen@senate.ca.gov GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 5583160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-2253076. U.S. SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 3930710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary That's the ticket I walked up to my car the other morning to find the most unruly of sights on my windshield. No, a bird hadn't given me a fly-by, but instead flapping in the cool breeze was a parking ticket. Seems Officer Nitpicky had visited me during the night. I admit here and for the record that, yes, I violated 22502(a). Yes, I paralleled parked more than 18 inches from the curb. I was probably a good 24 inches from the curb and on a street as wide as mine I might have lowered the overall surface area passing vehicles had to travel by 0.09 percent of the road. After an hour of grumbling and running sarcastic comments like the former through my mind I turned my thoughts elsewhere. I wondered what it must feel like to be in an occupation where 99 percent of your interactions with people are viewed negatively. For the most part society views police officers in a positive light, but when it comes to personal interactions it's more than likely not for a good reason. If an officer is involved it's usually one of two scenarios. Either you've done something wrong or you're already involved in a negative situation and just can't wait for the officer to get there. In either case emotions and rational thinking aren't near their typical levels. That's why I'm glad the Red Bluff Police Department is in the process of conducting a Community Survey to solicit input from local residents and business leaders. It's an opportunity to tell the handled with a warning first. OK maybe I haven't department what we entirely stopped my truly think of them grumbling. and the issues that are From word of important, but mouth I hear I'm not removed from the the only one. Seems anger or stress we recently Officer Nitusually have during picky has been making officer interactions. a lot of late night There's been a lot deliveries. of reaction to recent So while I won't incidents involving a thank the police teenager being shot in department for making a parking lot and my wallet $36 lighter, altercations at city Rich I will thank for them parks. allowing me the That tells me the opportunity to help community would list shape their future gangs and safety in public places near the top of its vision. And I think I had better wait priorities. As for residential traffic a few more days before taking issues, I have a strong belief that survey. that most would say speeding Rich Greene can be reached at cars are far more of a concern than stationary vehicles and 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at perhaps the latter should be rgreene@redbluffdailynews.com. Greene