Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/24535
4A – Daily News – Friday, February 4, 2011 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 Opinion Boot up and be counted It’s that time of year again when we ask you to pick the best of what Tehama County has to offer — the annual Best of Tehama County publi- cation. This is a product produced by the 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 advertising and production departments, so over here in the newsroom we don’t have any input. Like you, though, I look forward to it every year. After all, what could be better than celebrating the best of the best? We’ll be doing things a little differently this time around. In the past we have pub- lished full-page ballots several times in the Daily News. Readers clipped the ballots, made their selections and either mailed them to or dropped them off at our office. The downside is that some businesses tried to sway the balance. We sometimes received large stacks of ballots, all in the same handwriting, naming a single busi- ness as the best in that category — the only category completed on any of the ballots. Though not as sinister as New York’s Tammany Hall “repeaters” or the Chicago mob’s “Vote early and vote often” slogan, clearly this is not in keeping with the spirit of the polling. In an effort to get a more accurate gauge of read- er preferences, not to mention save a whole lot of time tabulating paper ballots, voting this year will be done online only. When we go live Monday, readers will be able to visit redbluffdailynews.com and click on the icon that reads “Official Ballot” bearing the Best of Tehama County star logo. Just fill in the required fields, mark your selections and submit. Oh, did I mention you could win $100 just for voting? In fact, five of you will win $100 to be spent at local businesses. Not bad for taking a few minutes to make yourself heard. While we are in the business of selling Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. newspapers, the move to online will open voting up to more county residents — not just those who subscribe or buy single copies. The more votes cast, the more credible the results. Don’t have a computer? Your pub- lic libraries offer free Internet access. Your taxes pay for them, go ahead and use them. *** A reminder, our annual Munch Mad- ness tournament selects competitors based on your votes in the Best of Tehama County polling. In 2009 we debuted with the best burgers, fol- lowed up last year by the best breakfasts. I won’t tip our hand for what we’ll be sampling for this year’s competition, but complete each of the meal cate- gories on your ballot to ensure your favorite is in the mix. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527- 2151, Ext. 112 or by e-mail at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. Ticket fees Editor: I'm protesting the unfairness of traffic violation fees. Something needs to be done about this. Our city governments have squan- dered money they didn't have and they're punishing us for it. I always thought I was a pretty good driver but I hardly venture into Red- ding any more than I have to because of the cameras. Your Turn I read a letter a woman wrote in the paper about a ticket she got, the yellow light being on only a few sec- onds, and now I'm so nervous, I'll probably wreck the car because of it. There are more rear end collisions because of this practice. They don't care, the insurance companies will pay and the rates will go up, not their problem. I can't believe what's going on in this country anymore. A co-worker's daughter got a seat belt violation which she forgot about. The fee was $350. She got a second notice for $1,200. This is criminal. I hope somebody does something about this. We all make mistakes, sometimes the wrong one, but this is unfair. Bernice Cressy, Cottonwood 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 3070 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. A fetching new photo Commentary Noting a new photo on Carolyn Barber’s long running column now includes her bow wow, I am reminded of the old adage “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” True, but you need a bigger and more charismatic pet, Car- olyn, if you are going compete with our Murray Clyde. There is something charming about includ- ing one’s pet in a column photo. It can take the bite out of flaming rhetoric or compensate for the mundane. It can cause the reader to con- clude the writer can’t be all that much of a jerk if he or she owns such a cute bow wow. If that is the case, then I recommend a pet companion photo for the D. Polson column...and perhaps even the R. Mazzucchi effort. These guys get more hits in the response section of the Daily News on line than the rest of us put together. Boy do they ever get the juices flowing amongst the liberals. * * * The Zodiac is in the news lately. Not the San Francisco killer, but the ancient concept of the stars and planets controlling the destiny of us poor mortals. Of course belief in Astrology is anathema to the intellectual. This business of “alignment” and “being in the house of” is so much claptrap, of course. And yet many will prefer to peruse their horoscope rather than this column. Perhaps it is like Echinacea; if it works for you, go for it. However, devotees are now faced with the possibility of their “sign” being changed. Parke Kunkle, of the Minnesota Planetari- um, says, “Because of the idiosyncrasies of the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the stars do not match up with their allotted zodiac months. For example, the sun no longer appears in the con- stellation, or house, of Aries in March and early April, and it hasn’t for hundreds of years!” Well, sir, this is a great shock to an Aries like yours truly. If I am actually a Pisces, I may have to reorient myself. This would be nothing new, for the missus reorients me all the time. * * * Inflation has been under control for several years, but, in some categories, prices are soar- ing. If you are thinking of a second career as a priest, for example, enrollment in the Episcopal Church’s General Theological Seminary will set you back about 100,000 smack- ers. You wouldn’t think the job, once ordained, would make this investment worth- while, but what does a lay- man know? If there were less costly theological seminaries, maybe some of our Realtor friends might find safe haven. If not now, then at least in the afterlife. It has been tough to make a living selling houses these days. A reward in heav- en may be all to which our brethren can aspire. * * * Samuel Clemens’ autobi- ography is finally in print. When he wrote it, he stipulat- ed that the finished version could not see the light of day for 100 years. The time is up and we can all enjoy his insights and great wit once again. Musing what readers would think of his writings after such a hiatus, he said, “I wonder what the newspapers will think of my work”… and then added, “…assuming we still have newspapers 100 years hence!” Rather prescient, wouldn’t you say? * * * The National Pork Board is sponsoring a seminar on ways to humanely euthanize swine. My father was very humane in his treatment of animals for slaughter, but he allowed hogs to be strung up alive on a rail and stuck with a knife in the throat. He believed they were not fright- ened and did not feel the pain. When I took over the plant upon his demise, I put a stop to the bar- baric practice. * * * Last week’s quiz generated many responses and some controversy. First it was first-timer J. Graber who reeled off a series of Tom Swift books such as “Tom Swift and his Ocean Air- port,” his “Planet Stone,” “Circling The Globe,” his “Flying Boat” and his “Wizard Camera,” as written by Howard Garis as Victor Appleton. Robert Minch I Say However, R. Ratledge took umbrage at my assertion that they were created initially by Edward Stratemeyer and the sequels by Victor Appleton II. He avers that the Tom Swift Jr. books were written by Strate- meyer’s daughter Harriet, which were then published under the name of Victor Appleton II. Very confusing. This week’s quiz: What does “Ukulele” mean in Hawaiian, what father and son both won the Medal of Honor...who wrote the comic strips Barney Google, Snuffy Smith, Beetle Bailey and Buz Sawyer? * * * Two brothers, 4 and 6 years old, were upstairs in their bedroom. The 6-year-old said, “You know, I think it is about time we started cussing.” The 4-year-old nodded his head in approval. The 6- year-old continued, “When we go down for breakfast, I’m gonna say the word “hell” ...and you say the word “ass.” The 4-year-old agreed with enthusiasm. The boys assembled in the kitchen, and when their mother walked in and asked the 6- year-old what he wanted for breakfast, he replied, “Aw hell, Mom...I guess I’ll have some Cheerios!” Whack! The mother slapped him along- side the head and he fell to the floor. Then she grabbed him by the foot and dragged him upstairs and locked him in his room. Then she returned to the kitchen and said, “And what do you want for breakfast, young man?” “I don’t know,” blubbered the 4-year-old, “but you can bet your ass it won’t be Cheerios!” Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff and former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine. He can be reached at rminchandmurray@hotmail.com.