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6A Daily News – Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Opinion 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 Feral cats Editor: 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 The tenants moved but left their cats behind. As time passed, the cats multiplied, fed by wild rodents, squirrels, birds, rabbits, etc, not to mention the one or two homeowners that felt sorry for the poor things and put out food so they wouldn’t starve to death. As each cat had her litter, and as soon as lactation was over she went into heat again and another litter was born. This lit- ter produced productive females. It wasn’t long before our neighborhood was crawling with wild, mostly unapproach- able cats — 35-40 of them. According to the Red Bluff Animal Control, you first have to get on the feral cat list. This means that you have to hold the feral cats until they have room for them. Then they can take them but only after you pay them $20 per adult cat or $20 per litter. And the waiting list is three months long. All this is because they only have room for 12 feral cats at a time. Process is that the cats are held for six days for observation. If they seem disease free and are personable, they are put up for adoption. If they are too wild, then they are put down. So our neighborhood would have to put out over $600 just to have the Animal Control take the cats, not to mention this is only a couple cats at a time. We were informed that if we caught the cats, we could take them to a vet and pay to have the vet put them down — if you found one that was willing to do this — or you could take them to a receptive farm owner and put them out on his land, but only with his permission. But this is all we are allowed to do. So where does the danger come from? Domestic cats can pick up diseases from feral cats or even the fleas that the feral cats have dropped off in your area. Cats present diseases spread by the cat’s saliva or feces. Dis- eases can be transferred to humans coming in contact with water or food that has been con- taminated by a diseased cat. Humans can contact these dis- eases by being bitten by a flea or tick from a diseased cat. Cat Scratch Fever includes salmonellosis, parasite infec- tion, fungal infection and proto- zoal infections that are single- celled organisms that are in any common source such as water the cat has drank from and the human steps in with a cut or sore. Children are the most sus- ceptible to diseases cats carry, along with the elderly, cancer- therapy patients or anyone with a weakened immune system. So our area is infested with these disease carrying felines and we can get no help. Our children can’t play in their own yards without stepping in cat poop. Any water the children step in that the cats have drank from could carry a deadly infec- tion. Children don’t wash their hands while playing but they do put their hands in their mouths after petting an animal. So what are we to do? In another month, our area should have at least four, maybe five more litters. Animal control won’t even give us traps so we can catch the animals and take them to a farm. Our County Supervisors could do something about this if they cared to address the problem. What is it going to take? Perhaps a child’s death and maybe a lawsuit to the county for not helping us? Wake up Tehama County, the invasion isn’t from outer space, it’s in your own back yard. Ann Yarbrough, Red Bluff No help from DMV Editor: This is very important infor- mation pertaining to all Califor- nians who own vehicles. As of May 14 Gov. Brown signed a bill that the DMV no longer will send out registration notices 60 days prior to expiration. DMV will send you a late notice one day after your registration has expired. After waiting 2 hours at DMV, I found out that at this time there is no way to undo these fees. I just read this piece from the Chico ER on the car license notices. These DMV people in Sacramento and that idiot Gov. Jerry Brown must be brain dead. Do you realize how many seniors and poor people do not own a computer, and if they had access to one would they know how to operate it. I went to school in the ‘40s and ‘50s and did any school have a computer? H-E double tooth pick's no. We had type- writers and not everybody was able to learn how to use one. I think this was slipped in the back of some bill that Gov. Brown put it in, or had it put in. Does anyone realize that tril- lions of people won't see this Your Turn coming and won't be able to pay all these late charges. This is being put off on the residents of this state. And Gov. Brown, why don't you tell the truth, penalties is just another word you are using to get away with another tax or fee. If people would just do their jobs, we would not be in this mess. Oh no if these are dirty words I guess we will have to get rid of all the government in the state. Any more every worker's attitudes are it’s not my job. Will Dobson, Corning Faydra Editor: I’m writing to express my disappointment in Faydra’s most recent “Christine Wise You Matter” column. She took what was supposed to be a pos- itive tribute article and yet again put her own self serving twist on it. While she complimented Christine she attacked her friends by saying "even when the company she keeps is gaining joy by shredding other people." Very unprofessional and unnec- essary for a positive column. I, along with many others who are Christine’s friends took offense to this. She took a col- umn that was supposed to make my friend feel good and some- how made it insulting. If Christine is the person Faydra insinuates, then surely she would not surround herself with bad people. Please consid- er having Faydra pack up her soapbox. Amanda Douglas, 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 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; (510) 286-8537. Fax (202) 224- 0454. All quiet at the age of 50 Commentary Today I feel like Doc Holliday; I’ve got two guns and only one col- umn. How does one fit a birthday, the Little League All-Stars, and legend Roy Nelson into one space? Two days ago, I reached the half century mark. Quite honestly, I don’t know if there has ever been a time in my life when I’ve been more humbled. This entire summer has been that way. I’ve spent countless hours thinking and reflecting over years and years of my life. The path has not always been straight, my road not always smooth. But, thankfully, I made it. For that, I am very grateful. I don’t need to look too far to understand the purpose of my life. It all begins with my wife, Rena, and ends with my two kids, Ethan and Mia. Had it not been for that fateful meeting ten years ago, my life’s picture doesn’t take its current focus. The Lord does work in mysteri- ous ways. So, in honor of this momentous occasion, I am taking a self- imposed vow of silence. Hence, the title of this column: "All Quiet at the Age of Fifty." Reader, I don’t have a whole lot left to say. For some, that may come as an early Christmas gift. Next, as much as I am thankful for my life, I am more so apprecia- tive of another friend who lost his recently: the amazing Roy Nelson. He passed away last week from cancer at the age of 89. I will miss him greatly. Of his death one of my friends said, "Another great one is gone." How true. How true. Roy Nelson was a gentleman. I never heard him say a negative word about anyone or anything – not once. We played golf together many times out at Oak Creek Golf Course. If I hooked one left off the tee, he would say, "Hey, that’s a good looking shot." No, it really isn’t, I would think. Roy had a way of making my problems melt away. No matter what was bothering me at the time, an hour or so with him would make rainbows appear and birds sing. I always felt better about life when I left his company. I can’t think of a better compliment for anyone. Maybe all of us could aspire to be a little more like him in that regard. I’m just grateful for the chance to have known him. One of the last times we played together, Roy made a birdie putt on the last hole. He was so excited, he looked at Chip Thompson and me and gasped, "I think I’m gonna pass out." Pat Chip and I grabbed one arm each as he fell forward. We helped him into the clubhouse, where a beautiful local dentist, Katrina Perdue, came to his aide. You should have seen his face as she held his hand and asked what was wrong. "Oh, I think I feel a little better now," he blushed. Katrina prescribed some orange juice and Roy was back out on the course ten minutes later. As for the Little League All- Gleason Simply Put Stars, this journey is turning into quite the story. As Penny Wilson, grandmother of Nicolas Rodriguez said, "This has been a year of highs and lows." She would know. Her daughter, Vanessa, battled and conquered a rare form of cancer. Her chances of survival were slim. However, the family heard those three precious words recently regarding her progno- sis: free and clear. Shortstop Rodriguez is her son. I can’t pic- ture a better get well present than what this team has achieved this summer. As for the rest of the Pat Gleason grew up in Los Angeles and has taught English at Red Bluff High School since 1990. He can be reached at phgleaso@rbuhsd.k12.ca.us. team, all I can say is: Give ‘em hell down in Southern California. Have a great day. ———