Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/208176
4A Daily News – Friday, November 8, 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. Not news? Editor: I guess this story wasn't big enough for the Red Bluff paper, eh Chip? Thanks for the information Silas. When the police can keep a man locked up in jail for eight months when they have literally no evidence that he committed any crime at all I suppose that's just a non-story in Red Bluff. The DNA found on the murdered Ms. Nichols was not the accused Bealer's. They have not established a time of death? This should have been done the day they found the body. The cops faked DNA evidence to try and coerce a confession from Bealer but he insists on his innocence? Everybody knows if they have your DNA on the body the next place you reside is death row. I'm sure Bealer's well aware of that fact and also that since if he didn't kill her they have no evidence. They have two witness statements that essentially also exonerate him? After eight months they have over 20 items of evidence that have yet to be examined? Bealer's attorney isn't surprised that after eight months at that fact? Frankly, I am amazed. What have the police been doing? Busting guys on the corner for having a joint in their pocket? Speaking of joints. I see where Red Bluff's ex mayor was busted back east with 10 pounds of marijuana and received a 45 day sentence and $2,500 fine for his felonious behavior. Kind of makes you wonder where the priorities lie. I suggest the DA convene the grand jury and find out if the police have a case and while they're at it maybe they can find out if we even have a police department. Fred Boest, Red Bluff dition of the roads in Red Bluff, are our parks something to be proud of, and did we get our money's worth, $125,000+ per year salary, and did our supervisors Your make the right decision? Thomas Alexander, Red Bluff Public Works Turn Editor: Gary Antone's contract as road commissioner and public works director for another four years was voted on by the board of supervisors Oct. 29. Did Mr. Antone do a good job and earn his salary, should his contract be extended another four years, and should his salary be increased. Well ask yourself these questions. Do you like the con- 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 Editor: By any definition the $150 fire fee is a property tax increase. Responsible tax preparers should include this fee as a tax deductible property tax increase. Fraud, deception, and lies by state legislators have wrongly defined this tax as a fee. Joseph Neff, Corning Your officials 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. Deduct fire tax STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Dan Logue, 150 Amber Grove Drive, Ste. 154, 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 Autumn leavings So the City Council is mulling over a proposed ordinance prohibiting the burning of fall leaves in the city limits? Must be other pressing problems to confront the group of five. Or is it four? Quorums are hard to come by I hear. I do not live within the city limits but am all in favor of burning leaves in the gutters in town…particularly in the upper reaches of Washington and Jefferson where the majority of our Victorians sit in regal splendor. Leaf burning and football games have always been a part of the ambiance of small town America. No need to change the ritual now. And speaking of mulling, the Tehama County Board of Supes is apparently mulling over the concept of the county joining with others in Northern California in a secession move from the State of California. This is a fool's errand for the board. I say give the spokesman for the movement his walking papers and move on to other realistic matters. *** My father was not too keen on the British…at least leading up to WWII, and now clever John Cleese, of Monty Python fame, does not spare his countrymen, and others, from his salty observations. "The English are feeling threatened and have raised their security level from 'Miffed' to 'Peeved.' However said levels may have to be raised even further from 'Irritated' to even 'A Bit Cross.' Terrorists have been re-categorized from 'Tiresome' to 'Bloody Nuisance.' The Scots have raised their threat levels from 'Pissed off' to 'Let's get the Bastards.' They have no other levels. The French government announced today that it has raised its terror alert from 'Run' to 'Hide.' The only two higher levels in France are 'Collaborate' and 'Surrender.' The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capacity. Italy has increased their alert level from 'Shout loudly and excitedly' to 'Elaborate military posturing.' Two more levels remain: 'Ineffective Combat Operations' and 'Change Sides.'" Is this biting satire, or what? *** We have had, for sale or lease, the long vacant 40,000 sq. ft. former Blue Shield building on St. Mary's for years. However, we have recently been exchanging e mails with a finder firm in Texas. They have a tech firm looking for just such a setup, and them. I'm not a number. I have a have had talks with Job Training name!" Center regarding wage "If that's the case, why scales and employee availdon't you come when I ability. This would be a call you?" I replied. tremendous boost for our "Bullmastiffs have an local economy. independent nature. We *** eventually do as instructOur local real estate ed…but on our own terms market is tepid at best. and own time schedule," There are a few more resisaid Murray Clyde. dential properties for rent Sounds like most politiavailable...and on the comcians I know. mercial side, we have a few Robert *** more vacant offices than Last week's quiz was usual. Although the invenapparently confusing as tory of residential homes there were few responses. for sale is still down, the Words in which a letter is government's shut down, sounded even though the resulting in lack of funds for government agency lenders, has been on letter is not spelled, would be eight, sea, hold. Phones are not ringing and sources happy, eye, cue, ewe and wine. Get it? This week's quiz: Today, who is most say agents are looking for clients. likely to get tattooed, men or women? Men *** Thank you D. Polson for defining "men- prefer what location? And women? And dacious" as "lying" when referring to Pres- did any of these personalities get tattooed: ident Obama. I only took two semesters at George Shultz, Thomas Edison, Kelsey Grammer and Helen Mirren? college... and they were frittered away. *** *** Bob was sitting on the plane to Detroit After the arrival of our new little burro, I had a conversation with her. Well, not when a guy took the seat beside him. The exactly with her but her interpreter. The guy was an emotional wreck, pale, hands big dog and I sat down on the lawn adja- shaking, moaning in fear. "What's the matter?" Bob asked. cent to the north pasture as the burros came "I've been transferred to Detroit - there up to the fence in search of sugar cubes. Murray Clyde gazed at them for a moment are crazy people there. They've got lots of and then said, "I thought they were sup- shootings, gangs, race riots, drugs, poor posed to be smart…smarter than the hors- public schools, and the highest crime rate in the nation." es." Bob replied, "I've lived in Detroit all my "Yes," I replied. "What would make you life. It's not as bad as the media says. Find think otherwise?" "Well, while getting to know them, I a nice home, go to work, mind your own asked them for their names. The older one, business, and enroll your kids in a nice prithat you call Jacki, said her name was vate school. It's as safe a place as any#2215…and that the new arrival is #4460. where in the world." The guy relaxed and stopped shaking I said they were Jacki and Jane, but they just shook their heads. Did they just have and said, "Oh, thank you. I've been worried to death. But if you live there and say it's numbers at their puppy farm?" "They didn't come from a puppy farm." OK, I'll take your word for it. What do you "Whatever," said Murray Clyde. "The do for a living?" "I'm a tail gunner on a Budweiser Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary?" "Yes. All animals that have been round- truck." ed up and kept in the holding pens near Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Susanville have number tags placed around their necks. When they are sold, the new Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning owners are free to name them any way they Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and author of the "The Knocking like." "Well, I think they should forget their Pen." He can be reached at numbers and learn the names you gave rminchandmurray@hotmail.com. Minch I Say