Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/68410
4A Daily News – Saturday, June 2, 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 Signs along the way Commentary A couple of years ago I wrote a commentary about various signs in and around Red Bluff. During our drive from here to Seattle and back we read several interesting signs along the way; each of which gave me pause to think. In Oregon, some of the adver- tisements for the state lottery have the caveat: Don't make pur- chasing a lottery ticket part of your investment plan. Like all small print, I am sure it is not read by those who have the most need to heed that advise. It is perhaps the most sound advice I have ever read from a govern- mental entity, however. variance from county to county, but only some of the counties we entered proclaim "We Honor Veterans." As an Army veteran, I am glad that Lowe's and Home Depot honor veterans with a ten percent discount. I am not sure why all counties cannot agree to honor veterans; certainly there is no political price to pay for that innocuous statement. It is too bad counties did not proclaim their respect for veterans during and immediately after the Viet Nam war, when we essentially turned our backs on those who served in that unpopular war. Most of us assume that laws apply all day long. In Washing- It is not clear why there is a ton, however, we are told that is illegal to avoid wearing your seat belt both during the daylight and nighttime hours. Maybe that state worries that we assume too much. I immediately wondered if there were laws in that state that only apply for twelve hours per day; or just imagine if it were legal to exceed the speed limit between the hours of two to four in the morning, or if stop signs could be avoided after 10 p.m., or if a car seat were not required for infants between sunset and sunrise. saw a sign at a fishing guide ser- vice proclaiming "Husband Day Care." I chuckled at that. Some might say the sign may be a bit sexist, but the sign was very appealing. We also saw a bumper sticker that said "Work- ing is for people who don't fish." Some of the political signs certainly do not assume a great deal of intelligence on the part of the passersby. One sign pro- claims "no more debt." The implication is that politician would make severe cuts in gov- ernmental programs. America has been in debt since its incep- tion; there were a few years in the Clinton administration when the budget was technically "bal- anced", but Congress has refused to confront the demo- Along the Oregon coast we graphics of increased retire- ments and the strain that will bring to Social Security and Medicare in at least a couple of decades. In California, of course, we avoid "debt" by cooking the books with a dash of accounting ploys, optimistic income projections, and "allowing" for more local control. Debt, of course, is an important part of a family's eco- nomic plan when buy- ing a house. For govern- ment debt also is impor- tant; we cannot fight wars or deal with emer- gencies without debt most of the time; man- aged debt, however, has been a rare commodity. Joe Harrop Another candidate's sign pro- claims "Jobs, Not Taxes." That is interesting, but what does it mean? If the candidate believes government policy can create jobs, does he/she want the gov- ernment to play a bigger role in the economy, or does he/she want to have the government back off and allow the various bubbles to inflate and burst? Under the former scenario the government would need more taxes to perform its increased role. Under the latter scenario we might be even more subject to the boom or bust economy. By the way, more jobs would mean more taxes; maybe the more sen- sible slogan would be more jobs and there- fore more taxes. Speaking of taxes, the so-called Bush tax cuts are due to expire just after the election. Discussions about that issue has morphed into anoth- er one of "us" versus "them" dramas that the Occupy folks seem to prefer. I am not sure if I am one of the 99 percent or one of the 25 per- Well, that's all for this week. It is good to be home and enjoy the warm temperatures, the flowers, and the cool evenings. Those are the signs I really embrace. cent, or even if I count, but I am sure that I would enjoy some sensible explanations of the issues involved, minus the blus- ter. 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. Contrasting This letter is in reference to the rose pictures and comments in the Red Bluff Daily News of May 10. The person Ms. Huffman is referring to in that letter is me. Yes, I did offer Ms. Huffman some roses, and her reply was "let's enjoy their beauty." About a week later a lady came to my door with cutting clippers in hand, and asked if she could pick some roses, and I replied she could. Imagine my surprise after she left unannounced, and I looked out and the best ones were all gone. I had planned to pick a bou- quet for my granddaughter to take to her eighth grade teacher at Sacred Heart School the following Monday. individuals Editor: want to show the contrast of two individuals, and at the present time when our society is losing princi- ples and values that there is a small majority of people that still have integrity and principles. How refreshing to be able to restore your faith in people by meeting the likes of Melinda Huffman. Emma Reasoner, Red Bluff The purpose I am writing is I First, a thank you to Mr. Giambroni for the pat on the back. His views carry a great deal of respect. We voters have a rare chance to Vote Editor: make some change. We can choose who not to vote for. As in the case of one endorsed by a retiree. We can choose who not to vote for in the case of residence. He does not live in Gerber. The Redding Sunday paper had a good rundown of the men run- ning. Read about the man you like. Attend the local meetings. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Then vote. It's our job as citi- zens. Sam Collins, Red Bluff In my opinion, many of the politicians who are in office today cannot be trusted. Unfortunately, the big money, special interest groups, often times found hiding in the wings, are doing all they can to influence our elected leaders. Vote Stiglich Editor: most likely never know who these big money people are. And, of course, you and I will On the other hand, the only people in our government I feel can be trusted are those who serve or have served in our military. They have done a superb job in defending our freedoms over these many years. your vote in the upcoming elec- tion, please use your important vote for candidates you feel you can trust and who cannot be bought by these special interest groups. When you get ready to cast retired colonel of the U.S. Air Force of 26 years. Colonel Pete Stiglich, for U.S. Congress of Cal- ifornia's 1st Congressional Dis- trict. He has impressed me with his knowledge, his integrity, and his love for America. And, most of all. Colonel Pete has my complete trust and confi- dence. With Colonel Pete, America always comes first. Like he always says, "No more personal, political or special interests over what's best for America." Colonel Pete gets it exactly right when he says it's time to begin Putting America First. Andy Giambroni, Red Bluff Vote Chamblin Editor: I, personally, am backing a Tehama District 1 to cast their bal- lot for Steve Chamblin on June 5. We will be very well represented by an ethical, intelligent and prac- tical man who knows and loves this County and its residents. I have known Steve personally and professionally since 1974 when as a new social work gradu- ate he applied for the position of Substance Abuse Counselor after having interned at the Tehama County Probation Office. As the only full time employee of the Tehama County Mental Health Services, I interviewed and recom- mended candidates to the Tehama County Board of Supervisors for approval and hiring. I left TCMHS in 1981 to head a separate depart- I encourage residents in ment. Steve was the perfect match for the job and one of the first times we were able to employ a profes- sional who was raised in Tehama County and intended to live in Tehama County, specifically in Red Bluff. Your Turn held, until 1987 when he was recruited by the Department of Education for the positions of School Counselor, Education Counselor and Drug Abuse Pro- ject Counselor. He was able to help numerous students and edu- cators. In 1988 he achieved his Marriage, Family, Child Coun- selor licensure and successfully operated a small business provid- ing counseling and training in addition to his work with the Department of Education. During the ensuing years Steve and I were in fairly regular contact, which allowed me to observe that no matter what position he attained, there was no deviation or pretension in his excellent char- acter and conduct. Suffice it to say, I am grati- work for TCMHS moving upwards in various positions always excelling in whatever position he He continued to fied that I recommended Steve Chamblin for that first position that launched his career, and proud to recommend him for the position of Tehama County Board of Supervisors District 1. Verdine Dunham Mertens, 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), 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.