Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/230061
6A Daily News – Wednesday, December 18, 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. 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. More light, less heat in high school issues Editor: Thank you for your attention to matters of contention within the Red Bluff High School District. Recent action by the governing board is the result of our desire to add more light, less heat, to our analysis of the binder-full of complaints regarding current district administration submitted by Red Bluff High School's Teachers' Association and the detailed response submitted by Superintendent Lisa Escobar. As detailed in the DN article, the board has taken action to contract with two educational services: California School Boards Association (CSBA) and Dr. Anthony Muhammad's consulting agency, New Frontier 21. I erred in identifying Dr. Muhammad's agency as Solutions Tree, the educational service that provided his excellent in-service training on school culture last year. The board is hopeful the evaluation and reporting that will result from the expertise of unbiased thirdparty educational consultation will help to resolve the relational impasse which is bringing harm to the district. All parties – teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and board members – profess agreement in fundamental areas. We are seeking the same goals: 1. We want what is best for students. 2. We want transparent communication among divided interests. 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 band for their Winter Band had been a prison guard there, my Concert on Dec. 12. Gabriel husband asked her what crime Sakuma directs the bands with she had committed, which abundant talent, great brought much laughter energy, and obvious to our table. She ended Your affection for students. by telling me that she It was a wonderful was very happy living evening, and I can't here, that everyone help but think it would looked out for one be a better world if we another and that it was all played in the band. a good place to be. Thank you for your interest. This gave me a new perspecPeace on earth, good will to all. tive on senior living, at a time Barbara McIver, Red Bluff when I am wrestling with the Editor's note: Barbara McIv- decision of possibly placing my er is president of the Red Bluff elderly mother in such a facility. I Joint Union High School Dis- would move to this facility in a trict. heartbeat, but 60-year-olds are too young for this lively place. Vickie Linnet, Corning Turn Seniors' party Editor: I am writing to share a very pleasant experience. Last Friday, my husband and I attended a birthday party for an 80-year-old friend, held at a senior citizen's residential facility in the area. The party began at six o'clock, with dinner and wine offered. Most of the attendees were residents of the facility, so we figured we would just stay for a glass of wine and leave. We had the best time, meeting friends of our 80-year-old kid. These senior citizens were friendly and most engaging in conversation. Everyone seemed to enjoy being at this party and displayed a positive outlook on life. There was constant chatter and lots of laughter throughout the evening. Dinner included broiled chicken breasts, wild rice, steamed vegetables, gravy and rolls, plus all the wine you could drink. I especially enjoyed my conversation with a 90-year-old lady, who talked about growing up in San Quentin in the 1920s. Before she could explain that her father Jefferson Editor: In response to the front page item concerning the State of Jefferson, Dec. 13, the movement is only 90 days old, and yet in a field pole — we are not even sure where it was taken — 28 percent of the voters are in agreement to separate from California. This number will continue to increase over time as people learn more. No one knows how much unfunded liabilities California holds and we are mired in almost a half trillion dollars in debt. We have no representation in the northern part of the state. We are finding more county governments interested in separation. People are tired of news that is more editorial than truth. The idea of forming the State of Jefferson is spreading and gaining more support as people learn the advantages of separating. June Cooper, Red Bluff Your officials 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. 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 3. We want a collaborative environment 4. We are committed to meeting the challenges that mandates in matters of curriculum and professional standards have delivered statewide. CSBA has a long and respected record of service in the areas of board and superintendent evaluation throughout the state. Dr. Muhammad's consultation focuses of 4 areas: school culture, school structure, quality instruction, and parent and community involvement. The board has already been challenged as to why we would bring in "strangers" to elevate our view. I am confident that third-party evaluation will enlighten the board and assist us in taking action and focusing future direction. The community is watching, and rightfully so. The health and well being of Red Bluff High School is a prime indicator of the health of our community. It is my fervent hope that we will demonstrate a model of conflict resolution that is supported by our citizens. We (all parties) now have the opportunity to give up personal grievances and to reform working relationships, and to recognize and truly appreciate the strength that can come from dissenting views. Is resolution and reconciliation possible in our high school district? Truth, objectivity, good will, and civility will be needed as we work to analyze the issues that divide our district. Your governing board has committed to solution. On one last note of wild and audacious positivity, I would like to thank the jazz band, percussion ensemble and concert Commentary Looking forward this Christmas I'm turning into my father. About this time every year, my father pulls me aside and asks me to tell my five sisters that he doesn't need any gifts for Christmas — and, "for Godsakes, please tell your sisters I don't need more sweaters. I can't wear the sweaters I have now. Use the money to get something nice for your mother!" Nonetheless, every Christmas, my father receives five sweaters (I usually get him things like lug nuts), and we always get something nice for my mother. At 51, I am beginning to hold similar sentiments about giftgiving. There is nothing I want that I can't buy myself. And I don't want others to dig into their funds just to give me a gift. Truth be told, Christmas makes me a little bit somber as I get older. Sure, I enjoy the large gathering every year at my parents' house — I enjoy going to church, too — but I can't help but look back and miss the things and people that are no longer here. I vividly remember one Satur- day in December 1967, when I was 5. It was uncharacteristically warm in Pittsburgh that year. My father was 34 (he's 80 now) and his hair was black as coal. He stood nearly 6-foot-2, a powerful man. As he lifted our Christmas tree off the roof of our station wagon, I marveled that his biceps and forearms were bigger than Popeye the Sailor Man's! My mother was, and still is, extremely cheerful during Christmas. She still whistles while she decorates. She was a master at building up mystery and suspense. And as our family decorated our tree, she took time to explain the meaning behind old family ornaments. I remember the excitement my family felt when the Charlie Brown Christmas special aired every year — a show that captured half the viewing audience when it first ran on Dec. 9, 1965, and still delivers big ratings. It was an event to gather our family together to watch the show. I remember our old wooden stereo console that played Christmas albums nonstop during the Christmas season — "Holiday Sing-Along with Mitch fice implanted so many Christmas memories in me. Miller," "Christmas Looking forward, with the Chipmunks," here are the gifts I pray "Snoopy vs. the Red for: That our country Baron" and Bing Croscomes together, solves by records. Stereo its problems and technology has thrives again. And, improved significantly though I know it is trite over the years, but I to say, that we end still miss the sound of strife and expand scratched vinyl. peace. I remember the And I ask that any many family members funds set aside to buy who are no longer with gifts for me be donated us. And I know, as we Tom instead to the needy — all age, that there will that's the kind of be a time when my Christmas gift I really mother and father are enjoy now. no longer with us — Like I said, I am turning into when we can no longer enjoy large, wonderful gatherings at my father. their home. Tom Purcell, author of I know we should look forward, not backward — particu- "Misadventures of a 1970s larly at Christmas. We must be Childhood" and "Comical grateful for our blessings and, Sense: A Lone Humorist Takes despite our country's woes, we on a World Gone Nutty!" is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review still enjoy many of those. Looking forward this Christ- humor columnist and is syndicated mas, then, all I want is good nationally health for my family. I want every exclusively by Cagle Cartoons child to be blessed with parents Inc. Send comments to Tom at like mine, whose love and sacri- Purcell@caglecartoons.com. Purcell