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4A Daily News – Saturday, June 9, 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 High-speed rail is a bad project at a bad time There is a fine line between visionary and delusional. Cali- fornia's high-speed rail project whizzed across that line long ago and now is chugging toward the monorail station at Fantasyland. the train's chief engineer, Gov. Jerry Brown, would have Cali- fornia's Legislature suspend its tough environmental laws so the state could put this pet pro- ject on the — pardon the pun — fast track. Never mind that every inde- pendent analysis of the project has been highly critical of it. Never mind that the High Speed Rail Authority's own peer review group said it was terribly flawed. Never mind that the nonpar- tisan Legislative Analysts Office said even the new, new, new and improved incarnation still is not nearly "strong enough" and relies on "highly The latest end-run tactic by speculative" funding sources. For the uninitiated, that is bureaucratese for "not a snow- ball's chance in hell of finding the money to pay for it." Never mind that the state's projected budget shortfall is now greater than the total bud- get of 39 states and that the debt service on the sale of these rail bonds would create another fiscal chasm that would have to be filled by another cocka- mamie budget gimmick. Never mind that the new, with the project. Casey Jones is at the controls of his legacy project so reason and fiscal prudence must sit this one out. We can see how Nope, none of that matters. Editorial What do new, new and improved plan bears so little resemblance to the bond sale plan that voters narrowly approved four years ago that going ahead with it now borders on ballot fraud. Never mind that poll after poll — including a USC Dorn- sife/Los Angeles Times poll released just last week — has shown that a strong, and grow- ing, majority of voters clearly do not want the state to proceed some voters might have been duped by what sounded like a cool project. First, the economic climate was quite different in 2008. Second, that relatively slim majority of vot- ers actually believed the state's phony estimates of costs, rider- ship and services to be ren- dered. now. But that was then and this is The state's economy has been in the tank — dismally so — for four years. Also, shortly after the proposition passed those original estimates some- how became anachronistic. Oopsie, did we say $45 bil- you think? Let us know lion? We meant $98 billion. No, no, wait, $68 billion. Well, you know, around there some- where. Did we say San Diego and Sacra- mento would be included in those numbers? Drat, our bad, they aren't. Based on its track (yes, another pun) record, how could anyone believe a word of what comes from the High Speed Rail Authority? This is like a family that is deeply in debt and struggling to make ends meet choosing to finance a $120,000 new Tesla because it runs on electricity and it will create a few jobs for a time at the Tesla plant. Besides, you know, the bank gave us a really good finance rate. That makes no sense. Nei- ther does going ahead with high-speed rail in California. 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. Visions of Red Bluff Commentary There were a few comments about the status of Red Bluff in the paper while I was gone. I had reviewed the various reports and branding meeting notes I had before I left on vacation. After see- ing several towns in our general size range while traveling from here to Seattle I began thinking about what Red Bluff could be if we all pulled together and worked on making our brand a reality. As I drove home on Saturday from the farmers' market and the downtown sidewalk event, I looked up at the bell tower as I crossed Main Street, and I began visualizing some things that might happen in Red Bluff in the near future to spruce up the city, display who we are, and entice visitors, new residents and businesses. This column is about some of my vision for our community. For several years the Chamber has spoken of the importance of attracting people driving north on I-5; not much has been done to improve the image those drivers might see, or the reception they receive when pulling off the free- way. With a little work, however the south entrance to our town could be spruced up, made more inviting, and give those drivers something to look forward to. As you proceed northbound on I-5 toward Red Bluff, and starting at the County Line, drivers would be able to read promotional signs about the peak experience waiting for them in Red Bluff and Tehama Country. Crops along I-5 starting at the county line would be clearly labeled for all to see. The current obscurely located billboard pro- claiming the quality of St. Eliza- beth Hospital near the railroad tracks on Cedar Street would be moved to the I-5 corridor before the south entrance of Red Bluff exposing our pride for thousands to see each day. Closer to town, there would be into town. I envision a more color- ful and inviting passage from the off ramp to town, culminating just south of Wendy's; on the east side of the road, there is a new Tehama County/Red Bluff Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau building surrounded with a paved parking lot and landscaped with flowers and shrubs; these things would replace the mud/clay lot now at that location which has fallen into unsightly use as a venue for used vehicle sales, junk sellers, and weeds. A "great place to live" structure would be placed near the new chamber building. Relocated inmates could be used to maintain the landscaping at just the cost of supervision. The prison farm could be a source of plants and flowers. The east side of the road from the off ramp would be landscaped and kept clean. Coming from the north, a dri- more signage promoting our branding efforts, providing direc- tions to highlights around town, and giving clear directions to places of interest. I dream that the roadway from the off ramp will be smoothly paved and the lane lines and center divider will be clearly painted, something no entity has ever seemed to be able to either afford or take responsibility for. The driver would then proceed town, all with prominent illustra- tions of Mt. Lassen. Throughout town there would be historical and infor- mational postings; for example the confluence of Reeds Creek and the Sacramento River would be an ideal place for an informational sign about the history associated with that location, river boats, and the impor- tance of the Sacramento River. At the bell tower there would be informa- tion about the history of fires in Red Bluff and throughout the west. The history of each building on the downtown por- tion of Main Street would be post- ed in the window of each busi- ness; in some cases the various entities which have occupied the buildings would be listed. Some postings would contain informa- tion about the "Chinese tunnel", the old elevations of Main Street, and such. ver will be greeted by a sign that proclaims Red Bluff is the entrance to the greater Sacramen- to/San Joaquin Valley, America's most productive agricultural region. There would be a demon- stration facility detailing the vari- ous products to expect along the valley; perhaps even demonstra- tion plots of the various fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables grown in the valley. Just beyond the agricultural promotional site would be a sign displaying our unique brand, fol- lowed by signage and directions to help visitors find highlights in walks would be well maintained with seasonal flowers and well trimmed trees. The area around the bell tower would have well maintained display racks with materials about the Tehama Trail, Highway 36, and other interesting features of our town and the sur- rounding area. The racks would be removed at sunset and placed outside again each morning. Driving into Red Bluff on Hwy The planters along the side- 99E would also be an informative and inviting trip. Orchards will be clearly labeled so motorists can begin to tell the difference between walnut, prune, and almond trees. A clever sign about shaking the "l" out of "almonds" would explain our local pronunci- ation of the name of that nut. The Tehama Fairgrounds would have a permanent interpre- Joe Harrop tive center for Lassen Park and the peak experience, featuring infor- mation and displays on volcanoes, the Cascade and Sierra ranges, and the most recent eruption of Mt. Lassen. Local indige- nous people history dis- plays would highlight the Red Bluff area before the Spanish and others arrived. A histo- ry of the Spanish north state would be included in the display. We have many resources that can be used synergistically to make these things hap- pen. Many of the things above can happen while we work to make our brand a reality; each would enhance the image of our town and lead to the likelihood we can actually have what we proclaim to potential vis- itors. Our efforts over the next few years should emphasize coopera- tion between various groups from our community: local service clubs, the Farm Bureau, the Ag Extension, the "relocated inmates", North Valley Services, the Chamber, the Historical Soci- ety, the Downtown Business Association, the Grange, the Cat- tlemen's Association, the Fair Board, grant writers, lodges, local school districts, and others to name a few. These organizations are here to support a quality of life for all of us, a quality we can obtain if we work together. A wise person once said, "While necessity is the mother of invention, it's also the father of cooperation." Or as the song says, "Let's get together now…" 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.