Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/68264
6A Daily News – Friday, June 1, 2012 Opinion DAILYNEWS 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 Changes afoot, paying tribute and baffled This space has been filled by other writers the last few weeks, but only because it's been a par- ticularly busy time in the news- room and this column is an easy thing to let slide when there's nothing urgent. Coming off our relative suc- cess with the live web chats — the last time I wrote — things have been hectic. edition on short notice. Needless to say, June was a Reporter Andrea Wagner, who has kept us posted on Red Bluff and Tehama County news the last couple of years, is mov- ing on. This prompted Sports Editor Rich Greene, who has done a great job making Tehama County sports coverage top notch, to request a move back to the news side, so he will fill Andrea's position. I've hired a recent California State University, Chico gradu- ate, Andre Byik, to take over sports and he'll have the distinct advantage of having Rich around to bring him up to speed. In the midst of all this we produced the increasingly popu- lar Tehama the Magazine. Thanks to all my freelancers who came through with great stories and photos for the Spring I'm not one to editorialize in this column, but I was a bit dis- heartened by the turnout Memo- rial Day at the Oak Creek Ceme- tery to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives for our nation. busy month. *** was reverent and sincere, but on the drive from the cemetery to the office I saw far more people lounging by pools and packing coolers for a day outside. Yes, the holiday is a chance to get in some much-needed relaxation, but it's nice to think more of us would take an hour to remember the reason we are afforded such a luxury. *** Every now and then I get a The crowd that showed up baffling message. This week I got two. I'm not talking about the folks who take issue with some- thing we've published in the paper — that comes with the ter- ritory. The first came from a reader upset because she received a paper in which the front page stories said they would be continued on Page 7A, but this reader did- n't receive a Page 7A. The reason stories continue — or jump, in newsroom vernacular — to a certain page is to get more headlines on the front page. This means more entry points for readers. Of five or six front page stories, chances are there is at least one that will catch the attention of any reader. We use the second- to-last page of each day's front section as the jump page for a good reason — it is physically impossible for a reader to receive an edition that contains the front page and does not con- tain the second-to-last page, which is the reverse side of the back page — one sheet of paper, printed on both sides and folded, creates four newspaper pages. Of course, I'm still curious how this reader got the front page but not the jump. Chip Thompson 545 Diamond Ave. with the Tehama County Farm Bureau May 23. Anyone else who missed the The second came from a woman who sent an email wanting infor- mation about candi- dates in the county supervisors races. She concluded by asking how voters can be expected to make informed deci- sions when the news- paper doesn't provide them with informa- tion about the candi- dates. We hosted live web chats with each candidate, the tran- scripts of which were published in the paper, and co-hosted a candidates night first run can access the tran- scripts and coverage of the can- didates night in the archives at redbluffdailynews.com. Chip Thompson can be reached at 527-2151, Ext. 112 or by email at editor@redbluffdailynews.com. 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), 2595 Cean- othus Ave., Ste. 182, Chico, CA 95973; 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. Wither the Word Merchant? Commentary We were on our way down to the grove to check on last night's bonfire to see if it was properly extinguished…which it was, and I noted that Murray Clyde continued to look up at me as we walked. "What?" I queried. "I was wondering if we might discuss C. Larimer's return to town…and if he will be a thorn in your and others side." "Where did you get an idea like that? The answer is no. He has matured and is no longer the firebrand that previously kept him moving about the country." "Are you sure about that?" asked the big dog. "He never seems reluctant to speak his piece." "I'm fairly certain. He has stopped by the office several times and we hit it off quite well. I think the old fellow has mellowed. In any case, we welcome him back in town and hope he gets into print once again. He does have a following, you know." ready demanding an end to the war, one could be more effective via a signed internet message. What is validating about this process is the abil- ity to verify who is sending the e mail and not be guilty of voter fraud. You might think this would open the gate to voter fraud, but it would allow the tabulators to note a vote by John Doe has been verified by county records and only one John Doe vote would be tabulated. And think of the speed of the transactions. Unless I am overlooking something, this is the way all elections may eventually be run. our walk and then concluded, "I guess if he is as clever as a lot of people think, he will be writing again somewhere." "There's no doubt about it. Many of his read- Murray Clyde pondered this as we continued ers believe he is something special. Of course, so does C. Larimer. That's what we like about him." A friend sent me a request to respond to The California DISCLOSE Act (Assembly Bill 1648) which would bring true transparency to state elections, ensuring that top donors for every political ad are shown in the ads them- selves -- so California voters would know who is trying to buy their support. The bill is just one vote shy of passage and I *** was urged to sign the petition to holdout state legislators and Assembly leaders to get them to pass the Act . If he had asked me to send it to 6 others, I probably would not have done so. But his e mail was fashioned in such a manner that the recipient could actually sign and send on to a congressman! This method of instantly con- veying one's wishes on any piece of legislation is a breakthrough and may change the nature of political petitions. Think how convenient this will be to a petitioner. Instead of standing on a street corner with banner and placard at the way via the Internet to let our legislators know how we feel about certain issues, a long article in the New Yorker And speaking of a new Robert Minch I Say dealt with the right to bear arms, the NRA and how gun control laws have been gutted. It con- cluded with a sobering statistic: In the U.S. in an average year, 100,000 people are either wound- ed or killed with guns. It seems we must start somewhere to curb this mayhem. How about we outlaw all automatic and semi automatic weapons? Perhaps a vote by e mail? *** a motorcycle. They have just come off the free- way and are stopped at a traffic light. They are both wearing spiffy leathers and look as though they are enjoying the ride and each other's com- pany. She is massaging his shoulders, and then reaches into her jacket, pulls out a pack, selects a Marlboro and lights up. It is news to me that a person can ride and smoke at the same time. Doesn't the wind blow out the coffin nail, or at least make it burn up more quickly? Never mind that she is oblivious to the threat of lung cancer. No amount of pontificating by me will alter that. Maybe if she accidently drops the cig down the back of his jacket, it will cause her to quell the habit while otherwise merrily biking down the road…but probably not. *** Sightem: A guy and his girl riding double on At 2950 Main, the former Ford Agency fell on hard times and is now bank owned. On the grass, along Main Street, there is a red appara- tus known as a fire suppression system. It regu- lates the water for the sprin- kler system in the building. A week ago, it sprang a small leak that did not compromise the system, but it sure as hell got the attention of passerbys. As property manager I received many calls regarding the leak and nearly all the callers were irate that water was being wasted and noth- ing was being done about it. A firm certified to do such repair had to order parts out of New York and so it took a few days to close the leak. I hope that satisfies the water conser- vation oriented folks. Last week's quiz asked the name of the old- est American university, where the Alcan High- way began and ended and the real name of Lewis Carroll. J. Angelo was first in again with Dawson Creek B.C. to Delta Junction Alaska, University of Penn in 1791 and Carroll being Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. However my source claimed the first university was Harvard in 1636, and nephew B. Smith says he rode the Alcan on his motorcycle. This week's quiz: Mate up the following nicknames with the baseball players: Vern Law, Henry Aaron, Stan Musial, Dontrelle Willis and Ivan Rodriquez with Pudge, The Man, Deacon, Preacher, D.-Train and Hammer, Hank , Bad Henry. *** *** She hasn't lost any weight yet, but she sure can climb trees." Henny Youngman "My wife is on a diet. Coconuts and bananas. Robert Minch is a lifelong resident of Red Bluff, former columnist for the Corning Daily Observer and Meat Industry magazine and author of the "The Knocking Pen." He can be reached at rminchandmurray@hotmail.com.