Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/149295
6A Daily News – Friday, August 9, 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. Time for the city council to do its job Red Bluff has a lot of things to be proud of and near the top of the list is excellent drinking water that has never had to be treated. Sadly, most likely due to an aging network of pipes, those days are over and city staff has urged the City Council to allow the purchase and installation of equipment that would chlorinate water at each of the city's 11 wells. This isn't a lark. It comes after the city was cited by the California Department of Public Health for repeatedly failing drinking water tests in the spring of this year. Failure to address the issue could result in fines of $1,000 per day. The issue came before the council in June and a motion by Councilman Clay Parker to pur- sue bids for chlorination equipment died for lack of a second. In discussions, council members asked about other options for addressing the failed tests and were told chlorination is the only certain way to fix the problem. Council members complained about the taste of chlorinated water and said they brag about our local water to people from other parts of the state. None of that changes the fact that the city's water supply is at risk and needs to be fixed. There are three potential outcomes if the council continues to ignore the problem. The city could be fined for being aware of positive tests and failing to take steps to mitigate the problem. Chlorination and possibly massive infrastructure upgrades would then be man- too big a gamble for the council dated by the state — making to take. It makes financial and regu$1,000 per day seem like latory sense to pursue peanuts. chlorination, but perSomebody could get sick. While the state Editorial haps the biggest reado so has said the water is What do son to safety is for public — at safe for now and there is no need for residents you think? the core of the council's mission. to boil before drinking, It's popular to rail the water system isn't Let us know against big governgetting any younger. ment and overreachSetting aside the human cost, the potential finan- ing regulation. It's hard to cial liability for the city — argue, though, that providing which knew about the problem clean, safe drinking water is not and has so far failed to address one of the primary responsibiliit —would make those infra- ties of municipal governance. We're all proud of Red Bluff, structure upgrades seem like but let's not allow that pride peanuts. Thirdly, the positive tests stand in the way of what makes might stop and the water supply the most sense for the city and could remain untreated. We its residents, financially and believe this is unlikely and far with regard to public safety. 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. 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, 2635 Forest Ave., Ste. 110, Chico, CA 95928, (530) 879-7424, 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 July the Fourth? Not so fast We celebrate the 4th of July, 1776 as our day of Independence from England, but the 13 colonies were far from becoming an independent nation for years to come. A recent biography of Thomas Jefferson tells of the trials and tribulations to follow when, as late as 1788, the colonies failed to agree on the framing of a Constitution to the extent that many delegates thought we should have a monarchy patterned after the British. One delegate to the Continental Congress suggested the new head of the country, George Washington, should bear the title of "His Majesty President", and Alexander Hamilton was in favor of a monarchy. It was not until Jefferson indicated the folly of this concept that our present form of government was created. If it had gone the other way and we had a series of Kings and Queens by succession, actors and generals would have never gained that coveted office. And a birth certificate would not have become an issue. That said, our government today might be better served if the role of President was restricted to that of advisor and titular head of state. As a sidebar to history, Thomas Jefferson, our first Secretary of State, played a major role during the French revolution in drafting parts of the French reformation policies before becoming Vice President and eventual President of the U.S. of A. *** Headline in Saturday's DN: "Grand Jury: County Supervisors notabley underpaid." My father wrote way back in 1942: "Let's take our own Tehama County Supervisors for example. We have been blessed with some unselfish men who practically donate their entire time to the welfare of the County. We have, and will continue to have, others who are not so public minded. We pay our Supervisors janitorial type salaries and expect them to live on a scale befitting the office of an important county. It just does not work out. The one cure to do away with grafting is to pay enough salaries for all officials so that the office will attract efficient men, and grafting will become unnecessary". *** Fighting fires and the resulting smoke can be frustrating, but not necessarily exasperating. However a staff report in the DN characterized it that way when reporting phone. I would have used my cell phone except that, yes, it was also locked smoky wildfires burning south of in the car. I called Tehama Yosemite and in Oregon. Lock and explained the sitThe Butte County Air uation. They said they were Quality District was quoted on their way. 10 or 15 minas saying, " The fires blew utes go by and Murray a lot of smoke into the San Clyde is no longer sleeping Joaquin Valley and strong in a cool car but sitting up Delta winds pushed the panting in an increasingly smoke up the Sacramento hot one. The locksmith Valley that was exasperated arrives and tries some masby smoke from the 13,000 ter keys but to no avail, then acre Douglas Complex in Robert hauls out devices to go in southwest Oregon." More through the top of a winthan likely the conditions dow. He works and works were "exacerbated" by and we both sweat. Dogs smoke from the Douglas don't sweat but they pant Complex. But, either way it greatly. I tell the locksmith was a smoky day in the to just punch out the key news room. way. He says no, he will get it open. I look *** AP article in Wednesday's DN. "A North- around for a rock to smash a window. Murern California man is accused of stabbing ray Clyde, in his fashion, is suggesting I roll his father with a pair of scissors before using down the window. Keerist! Finally the door is opened and dog and a power saw to cut off his own hands." Plural? How did he do that? Maybe a table saw? master stroll into the vets. The dog merely had a sticker in his paw. The master came Let's not go there. close to a seizure. *** *** The Fashion Barn, formerly on Antelope Last week's quiz was answered by a Boulevard, moved to 650 Main and their apparel looks very upscale. I'm not certain plethora of participants who knew that the to which crowd they cater, but if it is the state of Texas is the one that can be typed younger set looking for something trendy, using just the left hand, that Ohio the one they could shop at 650 and then get tattooed using the right hand...and that Maine is the at 648 Main. One stop to shop, so to speak. only one syllable state. One responder says she loves doing a quiz of the states. Well, *** Department of wishful thinking: I am sister, the next one won't be a walk in the running out of business cards and so con- park. This week's quiz: What state begins with tacted Norm's Printing for another batch. When I asked what the minimum run would a union and ends with a separation, name the be they said 250. Considering my age, we all two states that contain 3 syllables but only one consonant...and which is the only state laughed. that is keyed with all 8 of the typewriter fin*** I was driving my wife's sedan and parked gers? *** in front of the Antelope Veterinary Hospital. His looks were so un-appealing, passerI chose this vehicle to transport Murray Clyde to the vets for it is easier to get his bys looked about for the organ grinder. large frame in the back seat as opposed to Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of the bed of my pickup. As I exited the auto, I hit the wrong button on the door and Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning slammed the door shut with the keys locked Daily Observer and Meat Industry inside. Locked with Murray Clyde inside. It magazine and author of the "The Knocking was a hot day in late afternoon. Trying not to Pen." He can be reached at panic I raced inside the Hospital to garner a rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. Minch I Say