Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/320970
GregStevens,Publisher Chip Thompson, Editor EDITORIALBOARD How to have your say: 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 no more than two double-spaced pages or 500words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section will be published. Email: editor@red bluffdailynews.com Phone: 530-527- 2151ext. 112 Mail to: P.O. Box 220, 545 Diamond Ave., Red Bluff, CA 96080 Facebook: Leave comments at FACEBOOK.COM/ RBDAILYNEWS Twitter: Follow and send tweets to @REDBLUFFNEWS VotenoonMeasureA Whileacknowledgingthe passion and sincerity the advo- cates of the so-called State of Jefferson bring to their cause, it is, I believe, clearly apparent to the rational and informed ma- jority of Tehama County vot- ers that the only reasoned ap- proach to assure sound gover- nance in both county and state affairs is to vote no on Measure A on June 3. The Jefferson proponents have presented few, if any, em- pirically verifiable facts; in- stead, relying on unsupported assertions and hyped flag wav- ing attempting to convince the electorate that California is bro- ken beyond repair and that a new state is the only solution to the actual problems we all face. When confronted with evi- dence that contradicts their po- sition or asked to address le- gitimate inquiries as to how a new state would pay for ba- sic services such as K-12 edu- cation, police and fire protec- tion, highway, road and street maintenance and construc- tion, public health services, wa- ter and sewage, etc., the Jeffer- sonians respond that they can't provide that information until a new state is formed. Pass a new state so we can find what's in it? Were the State of Jefferson idea thought of as the presen- tation of a formal business pro- posal, it would not be hard to imagine potential investors rushing for the nearest exit. Head Jefferson guru Mark Baird posits lack of representa- tion as the main problem in the current northern California po- litical dynamic, totally ignoring the effective advocacy for ru- ral California interests by orga- nizations such as The Califor- nia Farm Bureau, The League of California Cities, County Su- pervisors Association of Cal- ifornia, Rural County Repre- sentatives of California, Small School Districts Association, California School Boards Asso- ciation, California Association of School Business Officials, nu- merous northern California wa- ter districts, professional asso- ciations, employee unions and many more varied public policy advocacy groups. Baird would have us believe that local north- ern Californians don't have the savvy to advocate effectively for their interests. I would suggest the facts speak otherwise. Baird's last line of defense has consistently been a specious ar- gument for the reversal of the Su- preme Court decision in Reyn- olds v. Sims(1964), relying on the sole dissent of Justice Harlan in an 8 to 1 majority vote. The prin- ciple of "one man, one vote" es- tablished in Reynolds has been settled law for 50 years. If Baird prefers the repre- sentative milieu of the post Re- construction Jim Crow South with poll taxes, literacy tests and the representation of land interests, privileged life styles and exclusive established cul- tures instead of the interests of all the people, then please find some place other than Tehama County. Vote no on Measure A. —MartyMathisen,Corning Johnston for District 3 As a native Tehama County resident, I am saddened and an- gered to see what has become of our beautiful community. The social, economic and en- vironmental blight, most of which has been perpetrated by globalist interests that have hi- jacked state and federal pow- ers, has nearly ruined this once- great place to work hard, raise a family, to visit or to retire to. A drive across Red Bluff has become unbearably depressing, as I see our beautiful Lake Red Bluff gone, our river siphoned down to a trickle, graffiti and lit- ter, empty rotting eyesore prop- erties, homeless camps in just about every nook and cranny, thugs and druggies wandering the streets like zombies, family businesses closed and roads so chuck-holed, you get a headache just from the constant jarring. I was also a county employee for nearly a decade, and wit- nessed first hand the wasting of human and economic resources by unscrupulous bureaucrats and their administrators, who will stoop to any low just to make themselves look good and hold on to their six-figure sala- ries, all while whipping the rank- and-file employees to death. I have been involved in a lit- tle community activism, and at- tending meetings at the Board of Supervisors was a mind- numbing experience that left me wondering what planet I am even on. While there are never easy answers, we must start some- where and I do know of one per- son who has the right stuff to get to work on bettering Te- hama County. I have known lifelong county resident Pat Johnston for 10 years, her passion and tenacious dedication has always amazed me, and her impeccably thor- ough inside knowledge of county issues would impress even the most diligent researcher. I don't agree with Pat on every issue, but she cares wholeheartedly for this community and puts pos- itive goals into action. I would so love to have her energy. And while anyone who knows me would be shocked I am endors- ing a Democrat — I'm not Re- publican either — I am fully in support of Pat Johnston for Su- pervisor of District 3. — Ann Taylor-Minch, Red Bluff Support Charles Allen This letter is in support of Charles Allen as our next county superintendent of schools. As a former superinten- dent in Red Bluff, I have had the opportunity to work di- rectly with Charles and see first hand his abilities and talents. I also know of Harley North and the fact that he was a success- ful superintendent in the Ev- ergreen School District. How- ever, the difference is quite clear between the candidates. Harley has spent his career in one small school district, while Charles has been involved as a superintendent in four districts in Tehama County — including the largest elementary district, Red Bluff Elementary. He also has been the deputy superintendent at the county office for over five years. As a result, not only has Charles worked directly with kids and helped them succeed in both large and small school environ- ments, but he has had vital ex- perience with the many chang- ing state mandates and require- ments. He has been successful in increasing student achieve- ment at every school where he has been the superintendent. There is a misconception that the County Office of Ed- ucation controls the various school districts. That is not accurate. The Department of Education has some finan- cial oversight and input in spe- cial education and other mis- cellaneous responsibilities, but the programs, curriculum and activities of the majority of county schools are determined by the state, and each school district's governing board. The real impact of a county super- intendent comes from his or her ability to work with and collaborate with the adminis- trators and staff within those districts. In this area Charles Allen excels. Teachers, administrators and parents are supporting Charles since they know he has always had the best interest of the stu- dents in their schools. In addition, in contrast to North, Charles has been very active in the Red Bluff community as a member or Ro- tary for 10 years, currently serv- ing as coordinator of the Rotary Literacy Project. He has also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and is involved with Expect More Tehama. A recent letter to the editor states that no one "deserves" the office of county superinten- dent. I agree with that writer but must add that sometimes a can- didate has proven to be worthy of election based on their lead- ership skills, solid experience and ability to connect with edu- cators throughout the county. I believe Charles Allen has those attributes and therefore I am supporting him for our county superintendent of schools. — Jack Hansen, Red Bluff Honor and leadership matter Peter Drucker once said, "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." The candidate for Tehama County Superintendent of Schools, Harley North, is both a manager and a leader who be- lieves in doing things right and in doing the right things. North has shown, throughout his career, that putting students first is always the right thing. He has shown that living with integrity, being honest, being informed and being on the cut- ting edge of educational knowl- edge is the right thing. He has shown that when others make decisions that tarnish the ed- ucational system, they need to face the reality of their deci- sions and live with the conse- quences. Charles Allen is someone who has tarnished the honor of receiving a master's degree by claiming he held one when in fact he did not. I attended a candidates night hosted by the Lake California POA, and I heard Allen say, "I have a mas- ter's degree." Allen needs to live with this lie that he shared in public, and he needs to pay back the public school funds that he accepted due to his lie. To say you support Charles Allen is your democratic free- dom. To say he is a leader of in- tegrity is a lie by its own defini- tion. As a voting citizen and an educator, I have the obligation to share the truth with you. As such, I have the right to vote for a man of intelligence, honor, and integrity. I will vote for Harley North, and I will support his vision of success for all of the students of Tehama County. — Diane Barnes, Cottonwood Friday soapbox Cartoonist's take Readers might consider attend- ing the "Lighting of The Blade" cer- emony at the State Theatre for the Performing Arts tomorrow evening, which has noth- ing to do with switchblade knives. The powers that be anticipate having music 7:30-8:30 p.m. by the John Gonsalves jazz group, with appetizers provided by Roll- ing Hills Casino. At 8:30 they will invite folks to be seated in the au- ditorium where a couple of lack- eys will update the group on the State of the State. At approximately 9, all will ad- journ to the street and light up the blade for the very first time. Better check it out. ••• The Chico Paper, the Enter- prise-Record, printed a star- tling editorial last Sunday. It was headed, "Nobody in Congress should be re-elected" and contin- ued "Usually in this space, at this time of year, we tell you who to vote for in the election. Not today. Instead we are telling you who not to vote for. This year, more than any other, do not vote for any in- cumbent running for Congress. We need to clean house (or more specifically the House and Senate) and the only way to do that is by convincing our leaders in Wash- ington that their performance is unacceptable. The beauty of a de- mocracy is that we can fire our leaders. Unfortunately we don't do so often enough." What do you think of that? Does the editor's edict go too far? I assume this to be the work of the editor but the editorial was unsigned. D. Little is listed as ed- itor, so he gets the credit or the blame. I did not vote in the last elec- tion for President because it ap- peared to me that neither the in- cumbent nor the challenger was going to right our ship of state. However, if the ballot had stated that by putting an X in a box la- beled "throw the baggage out," I would have given the matter se- rious thought as to the conse- quences of such action. And yet, today, it appears the time has come for such a dramatic ges- ture. It may be only a gesture be- cause the new crop may not ger- minate into a more active Con- gress…but it might be worth a try. I speak only of the state and federal level. Our local crop ap- pears, with the exception of Mea- sure A, trying to work out issues regardless of party affiliation. ••• In last week's column, two paragraphs were omitted, osten- sibly for space and format. Here's one of them: The caustic wit at work: "Fish swim, birds fly, students protest. Anyone who has been 20 years old surely recalls the fierce clarity of a college student's mind. The sharp steel of a whetted education, un- dulled by the nicks and scrapes of experience, makes for the sort of slashing brilliance that breeds in- novators and artists…and revolu- tionaries. But are they better at challenging values than maintain- ing them?" David Von Drehle ••• We recently read, with great regret, the passing of the inde- fatigable Una Jordan. A more civic minded booster and doer you could not find. Because of her achievements, she was named Grand Marshall of the Red Bluff Round-Up parade last year. How- ever, those slated be so named in the future might consider that if they accept the accolade, statis- tics indicate they might not live long thereafter. Tsk,tsk. ••• Last week in Bali, Hindu follow- ers celebrated the rite of "Galun- gan" in which they honored the cre- ator of the universe as well as the spirit of their ancestors. A photo in the DN depicted a functionary distributing holy water to a crowd of eager participants, by pouring same over their hands via a bucket. This appears to be a practical way to get the job done without the pourer being trampled…and time saving as well. Religious anointers in the U.S., regardless of denomi- nation, please take note. ••• Last week's quiz was answered correctly by many such as L. Brown and N. Rick. Dopey was the only one of the 7 Dwarfs who was beardless, the Deusenberg brothers were August and Fred- erick… and some pianos have up to 102 keys. This week's quiz: Name the 7 Dwarfs, name the Dione Quintu- plets…and did the father exclaim "Oy vey" when they were deliv- ered? ••• A Minnesota farmer named Ol- lie had a car accident. He was hit by a truck owned by the Ever- sweet Company. In court, the Company's hot- shot attorney questioned him thus: "Didn't you say to the State Trooper at the scene of the accident, "I'm fine?" Ollie responded, "Vell, I'll tell vat happen dere. I'd yust loaded old Bessie, my favorite cow inta da…" "I didn't ask for any details," the lawyer interrupted, "Just an- swer the question…did you say you were fine?" Ollie said, "Vell I yust got Bes- sie into da trailer, an…" The lawyer interrupted again saying he didn't want details he just wanted Ollie to admit that he said he was fine after the acci- dent, because now, long after the collision, Ollie was trying to sue the Eversweet Company for inju- ries he suffered in the accident… and would the judge instruct the plaintiff to just answer the ques- tion. However the judge said he wanted to hear the full story and told Ollie to continue. Ollie said, "Tank you" and con- tinued. "Vell, as I vas saying, I had yust loaded Bessie into the trailer when dis huge truck hit me trailer by golly and we was thrown in to da ditch. By yinminy yahosaphat, I was hurt pretty bad and could hardly move an I heard old Bessie moaning and groaning. Soon a po- liceman on a motorbike comes by and he could hear Bessie moaning and groaning, an he goes over and looks at her and sees her condition and he shoots her right between the eyes. Den da policeman comes over to me, gun still in hand, looks at me and says, 'How are you fee- lin'?' Now vat the hell, judge, vud you say to that?" Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and au- thor of the "The Knocking Pen." He can be reached at rminchandmur- ray@hotmail.com. I SAY Go State — it's time for the 'Lighting of the Blade' Robert Minch OPINION » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, May 30, 2014 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4