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4A – Daily News – Friday, July 16, 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 Chez cheese We’ve had lots of positive feedback from out patriotic essay contest earlier this month and plan to hold another contest in the coming year. Thanks to all those who took the time to put their feelings down in writing. 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 But the good ideas during the strategy session from which the essay contest was hatched didn’t stop there. Another way to engage read- ers and promote participation in the content of your local newspaper is to publish reader photos. Most of the photos that appear on Page 2A each day are submitted by readers. But they focus on award cere- monies, elected club officers and mile- stones, such as anniversaries, births, weddings, graduations and completion of military training. What about that great snapshot you took of your cat sticking its head out from inside a grocery bag, or your dog sprawled out on the sofa in utter relax- ation? What about the adorable shot of your son, dressed in full Western gear, standing alongside Dad, saluting during the singing of the National Anthem? You more accomplished shutterbugs probably have no shortage of photos capturing the natural beauty that surrounds us in Tehama County or the moments in time that make us glad we call this place home. With the advent cell phone cameras and inex- Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. get lots of pictures, we may be able to publish a new one each day, or more than one. If we get all pet photos except for one or two child photos, that will determine the direction we take the fea- ture. Other possibilities we discussed were odd photos for which readers would submit humor- ous captions and photos that beg the questions “What is it?” and “Where is it?” Each of these shots would, in most cases, be taken by the Daily News, with readers submitting answers. Those who submit photos we use will get credit, and all subject in the photos should be identified and asked for consent before submitting your shots. Beyond this, we’re open to sugges- tions. Some papers offer to feature pho- tos of cars and motorcycles submitted by proud owners. Others seek photos of festive family gatherings. Let us know what you would like to see and we’ll consider all possibilities. Once we get an idea of what readers want to submit, we’ll set about estab- lishing your photos as a regular fixture in your local newspaper. Photos should be emailed to editor@redbluff- pensive digital cameras, we’re taking more snap- shots than ever before. But these photos haven’t had a place in the Daily News, until now. We want your photos, whether they be cute, funny, touching, inspiring or simply stunning, to publish in the Daily News. The idea isn’t such a new one. We ran a pet photo each week at my previous paper, and cute baby photos at the paper before that one. We’ll have to see what you submit before deciding how the photos will be scheduled. If we dailynews.com, mailed to PO Box 220, Red Bluff, 96080 or brought to our office at 545 Dia- mond Ave. in Red Bluff during business hours. Make sure to clearly indicate the photo is a “Reader Photo” entry so other submitted photos don’t get misfiled. And remember to include your name, phone number and city of residence as well as the names of all subjects in the photo. Then stay tuned and we’ll begin the feature as soon as possible. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112, or by editor@redbluffdailynews.com. e-mail at Your Turn Happy birthday Editor: Join me in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This bill was signed into law by President George H. Bush July 26, 1990, 17 years after the landmark SB civil rights, anti-discrimination 504 law saying people with disabilities are equal citizens. Things are not perfect. More can be done to make our community accessible so people with disabilities can be independent and productive citizens, but on this anniversary we want to let our fellow citizens know, that because of this law, the world is a better place for everyone. Here are just a few examples: • Curb cuts — mothers with strollers and kids with skate boards enjoy sidewalks. • Ramps — travelers with suitcas- es and delivery people with hand carts get over steps. • Automatic Door Openers — arms full of papers, boxes and pack- ages breeze through doors. • Not to mention large print, TV captions and beautiful sign language. Mainstream TV now advertizes Dragon voice operated computers for everyone. Decades ago they were a rehab device for people with CP who couldn't talk but had lots to say. So much new technology and ease of movement has come from the disability movement. We are happy and proud to share our gifts with you. Larry Stevens, 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. Katie Younger is my person of the year Commentary This whole book process has been a real eye opener for me. First, writing and editing it have been the fun part. Promot- ing and selling it have proved to be a real disappointment. Why? I’m not a very good self promot- er. The turn outs at previous book signings support that. Second, I’ve wondered if anyone in Tehama County actu- ally reads books. Or, maybe it’s just me. Heck, folks get to read me for next to nothing every week, so why buy my book? Ironically, I’ve sold as many books in my native Southern California as I have here. Appar- ently, I’m more of a novelty down there. Saturday, I will appear at Fact and Fictions on Walnut Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. to sell and sign books. Anyway, if you want a book and can’t make it out this week- end, call my Best of Simply Put hotline at 526-8826. Leave a message and I will call you back. In addition, feel free to call and discuss anything I’ve writ- ten recently, rather than writing nasty letters to the editor after misinterpreting something I said. I got slammed by a reader in last Saturday’s paper, claiming my convictions and beliefs on self reliance were insulting and wrong. In my 4th of July column, I wrote that my father raised me to believe that the only person I could ultimately count on in this life is my own self. That’s why, I wrote, I’m so proud to be an American: I can determine my own destiny. I went on to say that our system should not reward the lazy nor punish those who try to succeed. Is there any problem with this mentality? If so, send me a memo so I can move someplace else. I have no problem with wel- fare or unemployment as long as it’s temporary. The bottom line is that those who can work should work, even if it means volunteering or offering com- munity service. People can still be productive citizens while living on whatev- er subsistence income they need. I know the economy stinks, but folks should stay active until something else comes along. A crumpled up 12 pack of soda and an empty bag of chips next to the couch just doesn’t cut it with me. Now, one of the more poignant stories from teaching this past year came from an incredible young girl named Katie Younger. She was a senior and just recently graduated – and her story in a way illustrates my point. As part of her final presentation, she told the story of her experi- ence working with elementary school kids as part of a men- toring program. She befriended this one particular student, an outcast and not very popular with the other kids. He wasn’t a very good student, either, mainly because of his inability to interact well with the other kids. His grades went up immedi- ately. He started liking school and became the most popular kid in class almost overnight. This happened because Katie, a volun- teer, took an interest and made him feel like he was worth something. She cried as she told that story in my class. I cried right along with her. Pat Gleason Simply Put Simply put, they judged him because he was different. So, Katie became his friend, working with him regularly and paying extra attention to him on a daily basis. Guess what? Once the other kids saw that a cool high school girl was paying attention to him, they immediately started to like and treat him more positively. In a society wrought with self centered teenagers, Katie Younger is one who gets it. She understands the power and gift of compassion. I can guarantee she changed that kid’s life. For that, her parents should be proud. I can only hope that my own kids learn that valuable lesson someday. There are a lot of frogs out there, and we need to kiss them, too. 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 Friday. ———