Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/23177
4A – Daily News – Saturday, January 15, 2011 Opinion Misleading 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 headline Editor: This letter is in response to the article that was recently put on the front page of this newspaper regarding my new dance school I had just opened. I was thoroughly excited to 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 Things are not looking up in California; our new Governor is telling us things we already knew but wanted to forget; most likely we will see an increase in lobbying activity from those whose pro- grams will be cut and those whose loopholes will be closed. It will make good entertainment for us, a combination of drama, pathos, and exaggerated theatre. Things must be even worse in Romania, the home country of ”Vlad the Impaler,” AKA Count Dracula. The government there is even imposing taxation on witches. The witches have given as well as they have taken, however, casting spells on government leaders and casting poisonous mandrake plants into the Danube River to put a hex on the government. Romania has also put a tax on fortune tellers, but as Alison Mutler of the Associate Press put it, “they probably should have seen it coming.” There is no truth to the rumor that Christine O’Donnell of Delaware was run- ning for the United States Senate to prevent this from happening in America, and that she planned to put a hex on any proposed legisla- tion, that is, I mean a secret hold. Efforts by a California con- gressman helped pass a law allow- ing intern teachers to be considered “qualified” in spite of the fact they do not have clear teaching creden- tials. It seems these teachers end up in the lowest performing schools because others will not teach in those schools, and because they save school districts money. This change in the law was tucked away in an appropriations bill and never saw the light of day for a hearing or discussion. Meanwhile there is a surplus of credentialed teachers know that, after much invitation, a reporter would be attending our grand opening to cover the event and help get the news out that someone is in town trying to offer something great for chil- dren in our community. My excitement continued with jubi- lation until I read the headline on the article “Dance school back, some still fuming.” I would like to point out first- ly that of the quotes in the article it sounded more like “one still fuming” and everyone else was ecstatic about our re-opening. How then does that headline fit the article, I ask myself. The next item I'd like to address is my opinion regarding proper or common courtesy, since other community members had the opportunity to express their opinion so publicly regard- ing my business and personal character. In my opinion, and other busi- ness owners may agree, an unhappy client should confront the business owner with their issue so that the business owner may have the opportunity to attempt to rectify the situation, rather than spreading hurtful words in an openly public dis- play of distastefulness and seem- ingly (whether intentionally or not) try to sabotage future busi- ness. Had this person, with all due respect, contacted me directly she would have learned that we have confronted the issue of our past actions in a very humble and straight forward manner. My husband and I went through years of emotional tur- moil and heartache over the moment we had to close our doors at Breakaway School of Dance. I can honestly say that it hurt my family more than words can describe to have to give-up on not only our dream but our livelihood, and to not be able to provide our students the opportu- nity of the one last performance. Lastly, I'd like to remind read- ers, not that they need any reminding, that there isn't a sin- gle person who can say that they don't know someone currently on the job hunt. Nearly everyone's neighbor or friend or family member is feeling the times and has tightened their belts more than once in the past few years. Why then, is it such a terrible thing for one North State family to try to make a comeback, in the interest of our community's chil- dren. Readers cannot possibly assume that a new business in town has a front as a dance school but is truly in the business of ripping people off. Honestly, as the owner of Beatseekers Dance Center, I can truly say that is the absolute farthest thought from my mind. I am simply a community member with a family and little mouths to feed, trying to make it in today's world. I feel I have a God-given gift, that I have yet another opportunity to share with little aspiring dancers. I give my word, I have no intention to mess that up. Nicole Dewsnup, Red Bluff Educated choice requires alternatives Editor: I would like to respond to Ms. Godina’s letter published on Jan. 8. She was very upset Your Turn that a public school introduced the theory of Evolution in her son’s 7th grade Science Class. The act of choosing or decid- ing requires alternatives. When making a decision, I like to compare my options. Ms. Godina’s letter sounded like she did not want her child to have any alternatives to weigh other than what her church teaches. She wrote: “I called Vista and left a message for the teacher or the principal to call me regarding this issue because it is against our Christian beliefs and felt as his mother have the right to decide if I want my son to learn about Darwin’s theory of Evolution…we do not want our son in this class.” Her son has already learned about Creation in church and at home. Mrs. Brown taught him Darwin’s theory of Evolution. Public schools do that. Maybe the family can research other theories together. They could have a wonderful bonding experience doing so. What is she afraid of? Why bother sending her son to school if the only information she deems valuable is in the Bible? Christy Vail, Red Bluff Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 6031 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319-2102 STATE SENATOR — Doug LaMalfa (R) State Capitol Bldg., Room 3063 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Jerry Brown, 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. The cry$tal ball Commentary who are out of work. Governor Brown has eliminated the Secretary of Education posi- tion, a window dressing created because of the dispute between Governor George Deukmejian and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Hoenig. Brown also eliminated the office of the “first lady,” something many of us taxpayers did not know we funded. Most likely there are similar reduc- tions in staffing that could be made and will be in the light of econom- ic necessity. The sinecure provided to the old boy network by various commissions and panels will also have to come under review. Based on the latest California census data, the estimated $28 bil- lion shortfall is equal to about $740 per capita, even less if you count those not measured by the census; for a family of four this would be almost $3,000. Put that way, the deficit doesn’t seem like much until you realize that it is a perpet- uating problem; a quick donation by everyone of $740 might solve the problem for ten minutes, but until the state leaders and the elec- torate agree on other steps to bal- ance the budget with the demand for services, we would still be drowning in red ink. By now most of us realize we cannot have every- thing we want, but most of us also appear to have the attitude that we do not want to pay the cost of the things we do want….adequately paved roads, a vibrant educational system, adequate health and safety services, an efficient court system, a lean government, some local dis- cretion, and transparent decision making. California unemployment data reveals that Tehama County’s offi- cial unemployment rate as of the end of last November was15.3 per- cent; by my count there were 21 counties in California with higher rates, includ- ing Imperial County, the leader at over 29 percent; Colusa is number two with a rate just higher than 20 percent. Given the way unemployment rates are calculated, those who are unemployed may be a higher propor- tion of the population than the official rate. I have met several fine people this last week who lost jobs through no fault of their own. Mov- ing away is not always the answer, particularly if you have a house to sell. Attracting businesses is not easy either. In the meantime we are busy branding ourselves; whether that is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on a certain single voyage sea-going luxury vessel is yet to be deter- mined. The disagreement between City and the for-profit promoters at the Fairgrounds continues, and there may be no end in sight. The issue seems to be over whether or not the City of Red Bluff has collected Transit Occupancy Taxes in a deceptive manner, using the funds for items not originally in the “hand shake” agreement that brought those taxes into existence in the first place. If those promoters and the Fairground management/board feel the city has pulled a “bait and switch,” I am sure some competent investigation could make that determination, and we could stop the bickering. Joe Harrop Maybe a public written agreement would result. I have been a loyal 49ers fan for more than 60 years; it was with mixed emotions that I watched that team hire away the Stanford football coach; on the one hand, I thought of Bill Walsh and what he brought to the 49ers from his stint at Stan- ford, while on the other hand I wondered if the coach’s depar- ture will end the one year of glory we gold- en alumni have enjoyed since gradua- tion. Of course, I know that football is an ama- teur sport, not the primary pur- pose of a major university…but for a few weeks it seemed like we could revel in even more than academic reputation, numerous high quality minor sports teams, Nobel Laureates, and quality graduates. I realize that in the scheme of things football has a pretty minor role, but it does boost a golden grad's ego to talk about a visibly successful team. As if I had anything to do with it. It was refreshing, however, to learn that quarterback Andrew Luck did not follow the money and decided to pursue his degree rather than the NFL at this time; it helped me keep my temporary enthusiasm in perspective. Joe Harrop is a retired educator with more than 30 years of service to the North State. He can be reached at DrJoeHarrop@sbcglobal.net.