Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/12481
4A – Daily News – Friday, June 25, 2010 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 OK, so that’s a lazy title based on the recent release of “The A-Team,” a film based on the ‘80s television show of the same name — this line is probably the most memorable of the series. 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 love it when a plan comes together We would need to get the word out. That’s The other day we gathered in the confer- ence room at the Daily News to brainstorm about what initiatives we would take in the coming year to better your newspaper and give you more of what you have told us you like. One area of concentration was reader interaction and involvement. Redbluffdailynews.com, the Web home of the Daily News, has shown us you like interactivity — the abili- ty to comment on stories, provide feedback and even keep up with the paper via Facebook and Twitter. We also know readers like con- tests based on the huge success of the Munch Madness food match-ups each year. when it’s handy to run a newspaper. An article appeared at the bottom of the front page in the next edition. Check. Your response has been great, with many entries arriving in the first few days. I would like to see more entries from children and teens — remember, Golden Tickets will be awarded to the win- ners of the following age groups, 10 and younger, 11-18 and adults. Besides, what kid wouldn’t want to hunker down and write an essay right after school gets out for the summer and the weather is gor- geous? Those who do, though, might just get a healthy boost to a college fund. To enter, send your essay of 300 Chip So it made sense to offer an essay contest for readers and that’s where the bricks started falling in place. A patriotic theme is obvious with the upcoming Independence Day celebration, not to mention the strong local support of other patriotic celebrations throughout the year. Check. There wasn’t much time, but if we got cracking, we could put the contest together in time to run the winning entries in the July 3 edition. Check. What about a prize? Newspapers, like most other businesses, don’t have extra piles of money to give away during this economy. But there is the Golden Ticket raffle coming up July 4 at the fairground, sponsored by the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. We could afford three Golden Tickets, so the winners of our contest will each have a shot at as much as $10,000 cash and other, smaller prizes. Check. Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. eligible. *** Thanks for the kind words about last week’s collection of amusing stories from the early 20th Century pages of the local papers. It was a lot of fun combing through old editions and stumbling across those gems. Our special publication of full pages from the Daily News throughout the 20th Century, to mark our 125th year serving Red Bluff and Tehama County, should be a great keepsake. It is said that one of a newspaper’s greatest services is the documenting of local history, and this special section will offer a brief sam- pling of the times. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527- 2151, Ext. 112, or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. words or fewer, to the Daily News, PO Box 220, Red Bluff, drop it by our office at 545 Diamond Ave. or send it by e-mail to editor@redbluff- dailynews.com. Only Tehama County residents, excluding immediate family mem- bers of Daily News employees, are Teachers rewarded Editor: In response to Kris Koeberer sugges- tion that the Red Bluff Elementary Dis- trict is a socialist entity, I would like to offer another side to the issue of teacher transfers. If the four teachers that were mentioned by Kris Koeberer are as outstanding as explained, they are being rewarded — remember this is education in the US and being rewarded in teach- ing rarely brings about dollar signs. They are being recognized for their Your Turn expertise and, I believe, they will be the expected leaders of their new campuses. I, personally, would like to think that their abilities are such that they will be able to share with other schools what makes them special. They will be the role models. They will kick up their respective teaching assignments to new heights and the expectation, I hope, will be that they will be an inspiration not only to their students but to their col- leagues as well. Although I do not know all of the facts I, hope you can take this into con- sideration as plausible. It is actually the furthest thing from socialism. It inhibits schools from being mediocre by chal- lenging the status quo, breaking up the "entrenched monopolies" and bringing in new ideas and techniques. To me, if these four are that special, we should be grateful that they are still in our community, involved with our kids, and haven't found a need to look outside of our district for something bet- ter. I don't believe there has ever been progress without change and I doubt there has ever been change without some anxiety. Betsy Palubeski, Red Bluff 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. Thoughts from the passing summer scene Commentary One of the benefits of teach- ing is the time off between June and August. While some may argue that we should be working more, I simply say contact our elected officials in Sacramento and complain to them. I just work when I’m told. Beyond that, it’s party time. Speaking of which, wasn’t it great chanting "USA, USA, USA," as our guys scored a goal in the final minute of the World Cup to beat Algeria Wednesday morning? I’m especially happy for Landon Donovan who scored the goal that moved us into the next round of competition. He’s been playing soccer forever, and his face pretty much represents, I think, our national sporting identity. But what he said after that – and all the poor calls against us – really caught my attention. "Well, I think our reaction pretty much captures the Amer- ican spirit; we could either sit around and moan about it or get on with it and play." And play they did. Within minutes of being knocked out and sent home with their heads hanging, Team USA kept up the pressure and gave all Americans something to cheer about. However, they must turn around and play Ghana on Sat- urday. In the meantime, I’m enjoy- ing this win. As a sport, soccer has never been fully embraced in this country, which is sad considering how many millions of kids play it each year. So, tune in Saturday at 11 a.m. to cheer on our guys, even if you know nothing about soc- cer. Now, the month of June is my favorite sporting month of the year. I think I watch more sports on the "telly" than any other time. It starts with the NBA finals, which the Lakers won, much to my chagrin. Next comes the US Open Golf Championship, which was won by an Irish lad named Graeme McDowell. You gotta love the Irish. On top of that, my UCLA Bruins are doing quite well in the College Baseball World Series. The Bruin softball team won a National Championship just a few weeks ago. If you don’t like the diamond sports, there’s always tennis at Wimbledon. As I write this on Wednesday evening, two guys named John Isner and Nicolas Mahut were tied in the fifth set, 59-59. That’s a world record. They played over nine hours and the match still wasn’t finished. Talk about drama. Officials postponed the match two days because of darkness. On Thursday, Isner went on to win in the fifth set, 70-68. Total match time was more than 11 hours. That’s absolutely amazing. Thankfully, all of these other events have drawn my attention away from my Dodgers, who are struggling over their last 10 games. Beyond that, I’ve Pat Gleason Simply Put been having a hard time keeping up socially with some of my pals and neighbors. Kelly Forward spent last weekend keeping score at the US Open Championship down in Monterrey. Man, I can’t com- pete with that. And just the other day, our neighbors to the rear of us put up a brand new pool. Who can keep up with the Dagens? USA. 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. ——— Next, I’d like to send a shout out to the good folks at the First Southern Baptist Church on Kimball Road. They did a great job taking care of kids this week during their vacation bible school. Ethan and Mia had a great time, as did the others who attended. Lastly, the “Best of Simply Put” hotline is up and running. If you would like a copy of my book, please call 526-8826 and leave a message. I will return your call and make arrangements to get you a signed copy. My next book sign- ing won’t be until July 17 at Fact and Fictions on Walnut Street; however, copies are on sale there as well as the Copy Center on Antelope. Have a great Friday and go