Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/159537
4A Daily News – Tuesday, August 27, 2013 Opinion Red Bluff River Park revulsion 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. 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 There is something really wrong with the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce and the City Council that spend countless dollars to advertise and promote the area while leaving the very attractions they are next to and have responsibility for left to decay. Specifically I'm talking about Red Bluff River Park located on the west bank of the Sacramento River that is owned and maintained by the City of Red Bluff. It features a boat ramp, bath rooms, the City swimming pool, and parking areas. While it is used for gatherings, special events, a farmers' market and recreation it is now a deplorable eyesore to visitors and residents alike. For your edification in case you haven't been there lately I offer first two independent reviews. First a review from the Yelp web site by a visitor representative of those we are trying to attract: "Red Bluff River Park is in sad condition. What has the potential to be a fabulous community park right on the bank of the Sacramento River has become and old dilapidated eyesore. The park does offer the usual amenities (barbecue pits, tables, etc.) It is also home to the Public Swimming Pool, has river access for boats, and hosts a couple of community events. The catch is... everything is in poor shape. The parking lot hasn't been resurfaced in years, the playground is extremely outdated (my kids don't like it at all), there is only one basketball court, the bathrooms are all in bad shape, any of the sprinklers leak leaving muddy places everywhere, other areas of the lawn are dry, and the whole place is a major hang out for the homeless and drug crowd. I could go on but I think you get the point. It's a shame such a beautiful and large park has been neglected to the point a family has no desire to spend any time there. I wish someone at city hall would accept the challenge to get this park in the shape the public deserves." Now a review recently posted on Facebook: "We visited the RB River Park today intending to take our 2 y/o grandson to play there. Haven't actually been there in person in awhile, WE WERE SHOCKED AND HORRIFIED AT WHAT'S BECOME OF IT! At least half of all the playground equipment has been removed. Many of the large trees by the big play area are gone, there's only a few climb-on things there & no shade now. They have not drained the pools and the two kiddie pools were totally green and one of them so bad it was hatching mosquitoes. Seedy druggie people hanging around - garbage everywhere. Needless to say, we didn't stay! Is there anything we can do to revitalize this park? If there's no good play areas, families won't come there. If families don't come, it becomes a haven for druggies and criminals. I'm heart- might thrive, that space and support are provided for a broken - it was such a permanent homeless lively, fun place when shelter, and that a dog we were kids!" park is constructed for This might be crimieveryone including our nal if it weren't so coloscanine friends, to sally stupid to spend enjoy. While the frugal limited resources to prowill decry that we don't mote what we apparenthave the funds for such ly can't afford to mainniceties, I submit that tain. Both the Chamber we do if we collectiveand the Council are ly put appropriate priputting the cart in front our of the horse by attracting Richard ority on improving and community assets visitors to venues that develop ways to solicit locals can't even enjoy. financial support. For All is not well and good example, a dog park in the branding project's could be constructed "gateway to Lassen by simply fencing National Park," when some of the poorly the gatekeeper is doesn't maintained city land tend the entry. Fortunately it appears that the Tehama with funds from local business Action Team will pick-up the ball sponsors in return for advertising by developing a plan and taking panels and the selling of engraved action to simultaneously improve paving stones for residents to the park, mitigate the impacts of memorialize their departed furry the diversion dam removal and friends. Please visit the Tehama Action redeem the failure of our City Council to address the homeless Team page on Facebook and conproblem when funding was avail- sider joining our quest. There will certainly be issues but none that able. Early ideas include pressing can't be handled by a City Counthe Red Bluff City Council, busi- cil doing the will of those that pernesses and residents to ensure the ceive problems as opportunities park is adequately maintained and for improvement by taking action patrolled to make it safe and as we address our Red Bluff River appealing for visitors, that land- Park revulsion. scaping and amenities are Richard Mazzucchi can be improved so businesses like the reached at living-green@att.net. now closed Riverside restaurant Mazzucchi Positive Point 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) 558-3160; E-mail: governor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Doug LaMalfa 506 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-3076. 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224-0454. Commentary Same sex CIWYWBINM; free expression? The Tea Party Patriots will host 3rd Assembly District candidate, James Gallagher; the other candidate, Ryan Schohr, took the stage over a month ago. Both men are running as conservative Republicans with strong local roots, impressive resumes and a multitude of endorsements. One of them will be your next Assemblyman; this district will not be sending a Democrat to Sacramento. So, we had a Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision that had Democrat officeholders from the Governor on down saying to the voters of California: Go pound sand if you think you have the temerity to want to enshrine traditional, one man-one woman marriage in California's Constitution. Our state Constitution gave voters that right; the approval of Proposition 8 was, as the Supreme Court held, not reviewable by federal appeals courts. That left intact a lower district court ruling that should also have been vacated, as the voters cannot be negated when amending our California Constitution. It trumps all and is exempted from higher review (in my understanding). Technically, the district court's decision has no binding authority outside the Southern California district over which the judge presides; other counties, including Tehama, have no legal obligation to abide by the ruling invalidating Prop 8. We voted about 3 to 1 for Prop 8 and our Clerk-Recorder should respect our votes and issue no marriage licenses, nor change the verbiage on existing ones, for same sex couples. Columnist James A. Wilson, a man of God and author of religious-themed books and blog postings, provided a well-written piece on the complexities of the SCOTUS rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8, prompting ridicule and criticism by a writer. Such writers are often driven by hate; you've read their vitriol and anathema for Christians, Mormons and conservatives on this issue. I've not seen any similar anger directed at African-American churches, which provided the deciding votes to approve Prop 8. Hmmm. Selective haters, I guess. California voters gave about the same level of support for Prop 8 that America gave to President Obama in both of his elections (higher than Obama's win last November); we've all been lectured on how resoundingly the voters decided those elections. My opinion as a free citizen and writer is that I place the final word and credibility on marriage in the decision of voters: Marriage is the union of one man and one woman—always has been and always will be, period, full stop. You "same-sex-marriage" advocates are free to qualify your own proposition and let us vote on it. If a majority supports the idea at the polls, you will have that to crow about, but I doubt you will risk embarrassing rejection at the ballot box. I'm saying you can Call-ItWhatever-You-Want-But-It's-NotMarriage, or Same-Sex CIWYWBINM; I'll simplify it to SSW (same-sex-whatever). Now I'll invite SSW supporters to let readers know if you truly are only interested in the "marriage" label for yourselves, and not interested in forcing others to violate their constitutionally-endowed conscience-driven, decision-makfreedoms of thought, expression, ing process. Those same leftist hypocrites that are intolassociation and pursuit erant of conservative of happiness. Will you thoughts expressed in take the position that you any venue from this may disagree with my paper to broadcast/cable position but defend my shows to the Internet right to express it? Liberhave shouted down conal/progressive hands are servatives at public already flying across meetings, and harassed keyboards, I'm guessing, them at home. Think of to write just the opposite the iconic magazineand call yet again for my cover painting by Norcolumn to be dropped— man Rockwell of the you leftists react precommonly clothed man dictably to opposing Don standing up in a local thoughts. Polson meeting speaking his Thank God our mind in front of his felthoughts are not availThe way low citizens. able for examination by Respect for the law, such loons who would I see it indeed! Just as Califorsupport "thought crime" nia officials refused to punishment, as we see by the imposition of legal sanctions abide by the law of Prop. 8, or even on, for instance, a New Mexico defend it, as is their duty, in New photographer, for violating the Mexico the law means nothing to "human rights" of a same sex cou- the County Clerk of Dona Ana ple. Just as in Oregon where a bak- County, Lynn Ellins. "He has choery owned by Christians is perse- sen to take the law into his own cuted for not making a cake cele- hands and begin issuing illegal brating a lesbian SSW, the photog- same-sex "marriage" licenses rapher declined, for reasons of con- against the opinion and direction of science, the business of a gay cou- the Attorney General, and in so ple wanting their SSW to be pho- doing, abandoned his oath of office and the trust of those who elected tographed. "Human rights" violation, him." (ActRight.com) Some day indeed, under a law passed in New these same "progressives" will see Mexico. Read this carefully: There the law swept aside to allow impleare no such things as "human mentation of something they rights" in America—we have oppose. What will be their legal rights specified in our Constitution recourse then after showing such and Bill of Rights that derive from disregard for the voters and the law "Nature and Nature's God." The now? common theme of our constituDon Polson has called Red Bluff tional rights is to enshrine the individual as the arbiter of decision- home since 1988. He can be by e-mail at making, protected from govern- reached ment interference in that free-will, donplsn@yahoo.com.