Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/41765
6A Daily News – Saturday, September 10, 2011 Opinion Memorial 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 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 Editor: I want to encourage you all to join me for the 10th anniversary of 9-11 Remembrance Service to be held Sept. 11 - 7:30 a.m. - Tehama County Courthouse. We must never forget this day and attack on all Americans 10 years ago. Please tell your friends, bring your families, talk to your children and bring them to this very short, incredibly memorable service. There will be many won- derful participants honoring those who lost their lives that fateful day as well as honor those who choose to stand strong together, one nation under God, each and every day,10 years later. Attending this 9-11 Remem- brance service, is our smallest sac- rifice that we can make to show we will never forget how truly thank- ful we are for our freedom, the honor and right to come together and stand unified and strong and proud to be an American. Please join me. You will have time for breakfast following short service, make it to church or go about your day, and know that you stood unified, side by side, with so many other people that feel as strongly about this great country and that you are willing to go out of your way, take a moment out of your life to honor those who don't have the ability to stand along side of you. There will be a 12-year-old violinist playing The National Anthem; motorcycle groups show- ing their respect with their pres- ence; wonderful patriotic music; short speaker and ending prayer. I hope to see you at the Tehama County Courthouse at the corner of Oak and Washington streets as we pay our respects and encourage each other to press on and knowthere is no other country like this blessed country — the United States of America. Carla Fultz, Red Bluff Nielsen's home Editor: A few short years ago my business partner and I were try- ing to open a telephone business call center in Red Bluff. Our permits were hopelessly held up in the quagmire of the CPUC for endless months. I suggested that we write a letter to our represen- tative. My partner said, "Heck with that I'll call him." He spoke with one of Mr. Nielsen's staffers and in 20 min- utes the PUC people were on the line and our permits were issued within two hours. We now have a call center that employs 12 full-time peo- ple in Red Bluff and numerous subcontractors throughout the state. Thousands of subscribers all over the state now send their phone bill payments to Red Bluff. boat slowed to hold their posi- tion, wake-free, until we passed. I don't know who you are, but your concern for others' safety is truly appreciated. Jamie Hickok, Red Bluff My point is that personally, I don't care where Mr. Nielsen calls home. In 20 min- utes he did more for Tehama County than Mr. Bird has done in his whole life. To all of you homers out there, I say stop it, get a life, you're pathetic. Steve Walden, Red Bluff Game wardens Editor: Bravo to our fish and game wardens patrolling the Sacra- mento River above Red Bluff on Labor Day. My wife and I were kayaking down from Jelly's Ferry to Bend. Private boats sped upstream by us creating wakes that added to our nervousness as we had already "turned turtle" once. The gentlemen in the state Your Turn Thugs Editor: This is directed at the "thugs." Yes, that's what I call them, those who feel they have to vandalize and destroy other people's property with paint and signs. Lots of people helped with the new building at the city pool. But some childish and unruly "gangsters" did their best to ruin something special. I have belonged to a lot of clubs and organizations but I never felt the need to write stu- pid things on other people's property. They are nothing but disre- spectful, overgrown children. Get a life without displaying your brainlessness. I would like to thank the law enforcement men and women who try to prevent this. I don't care what country you come from, have respect for other people's property. Irene Hoffman, 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. Looking beyond the brand Commentary Last week I expressed my reser- vations both about the cost of the branding project and the sales pitch by the company performing the project. As I said last week, I do not believe that branding is a bad idea; however, given our demon- strated inability to follow through on other reports, assessments, and plans, I emphasized our need to be vigilant and attentive for more than the short run. We received two reports in 2009; the first was the shallow and self serving " Tourism Strategic and Marketing Plan Update" pre- pared for the Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau by Integrated Mar- keting Systems. The second report was much more comprehensive and valuable ; it was the Tehama County Busi- ness Attraction and Retention Pro- gram prepared in November 2009 by Chabin Concepts; this 60 page report was far more salient than that by Integrated Marketing Sys- tems, and it presented an outline of concerns and needed actions that are still relevant today. Branding, of course, was the first step that needed to be taken before the rest of the Chabin report could be implemented, but that report pointed out several deficien- cies we need to correct before any effective branding and follow up can take place. These shortcom- ings require focus, attention, pur- posefulness, and patience to over- come. Just as people with a strong sense of identity are more vibrant and proactive, so too can be com- munities. The Chabin report pointed out we had weaknesses in "Marketing and Business Attraction", plans for "Business Retention and Expan- sion", "Place Development and Infrastructure Development", and "Leadership." These are serious shortcomings. Even if we can agree on a "brand", that is an iden- tity by which we call ourselves and present ourselves to the rest of the world, overcoming these deficien- cies will not automatically fall into place. We can have a wonderful brand and slick images of life in Tehama County, Corning, Manton, and Red Bluff, but it will take seri- ous organization and energy to take advantage of that brand. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has also ranked our county on several measures of health, including criminal activity, excessive use of alcohol, single family households, and drug use. We were ranked 45th out of the 56 counties surveyed in the health fac- tors portion of the survey. I have mentioned before the poor rankings that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given us. For example, only five counties had a higher crime rate than Tehama County according to the ranking study. Except for the recent increase vigilance about driving under the influence, not much attention has been paid to the other issues. Crime is up and law enforcement is suffering from bud- getary problems. A public campaign for healthy lifestyles would not take many resources and could add to our pos- itive image as a county that cares about the well being of its citizens. Between health providers, public agencies, the schools, retailers, and non-profits we could organize such a campaign. Other counties in the country are doing this, and we could join their ranks. If nothing else, it could improve our image, if not our waistline. There are projects in place to help raise the educational expecta- tion for our youth and families; in the long run this will develop a more attractive work force. While the emphasis is upon post high school education, vocational goals could be added to the mix. As my brother-in-law constantly reminds me, "Not every- one needs to go to col- lege." Everyone does need to report for work on time, call in when sick, let supervisors know when a task is completed, and give an honest day's work. Agri-tourism is a potential for our county according to Chabin. An acquain- tance of mine has suggested that the area on the north side of town along I-5 could be developed into a demonstration farm with small plots of the many crops grown in our county, an interpretive center, and other facilities. His original concept was to utilize one of the two vacant auto centers as the interpretive center. He had hoped UC Davis, FFA, 4H, and the Farm Bureau might be interested; he felt it stood a better chance than an ice skating rink in the deserted Ford dealership, and it might be a place those passing through might visit along their way. So far he has found no interest, and only gar- nered a few chuckles. As a county we have lots to Joe Harrop is branding to differentiate us from other stops along I-5. Past efforts have failed at this; an acquaintance of mine, active in the Chamber over the years, shakes his head at the bickering that went on over whether we were a Victorian town on the river or the gateway to Lassen Park. Everyone from bird watchers to fid- dlers wanted to be part of that brand. My experience in the Pres- byterian Church is that it is very hard to write a concise statement by committee. Maybe Roger Brooks can do that for us; if he does, then we need to stick with it and build from there. The second prong Chabin pro- poses is an "integrated and unified visitor attraction effort." The bick- ering between the City and the Fairgrounds is a good example of why this is needed. Chabin proposes a "strong county-wide economic develop- ment arm and the good use of resources with "on-going special projects and partnerships that will create unique opportunities for pri- vate sector investment and job cre- ation." We are blessed with energetic and hardworking citizens who are not content with the status quo. Surely we can pull together to revi- talize our community. offer both the visitor and potential new business. According to Chabin, however, we lack an organized effort to make those qualities known. Chabin suggests a four pronged approach. The first 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.