Letters for August 17, 2006

Oroville resident reacts
Re: “Under the surface” (Cover Story, by Meredith J. Cooper, CN&R, Aug. 10):

When I came to Oroville three years ago, I thought it was a redneck hick town. After reading Ms. Cooper’s article, Oroville will always be a redneck hick town. At City Hall, the inmates are running the asylum. People unfit for public employment retain their jobs because the city administrator can’t force them [out]. What is difficult about saying “You’re fired"? If they won’t leave, call the cops.

The City Council isn’t exempt either. They apparently don’t care what happens at City Hall. It is just a bunch of “good ol’ boys"—let’s not bother them with problems.

It sounds like it is going to get worse before it gets better!

Donald Anater
Oroville

Getting heated about meat

Editor’s note: The debate about whether Chico Natural Foods should carry meat continues to engender strong opinions. Here are a few letters on a topic that has been a Letters fixture the past month.

I am one of the original founders of Chico Natural Foods. I was around when it was just a weekend co-op of bin-sharing in 1972. When we opened Chico Natural Foods in 1975, we clearly and in writing agreed that we would not sell dead animal carcasses for human consumption in that store.

There have been two attempts over the years to turn our lovely vegetarian store into a meat-selling store. Both attempts have, thankfully, been thwarted by the members. Currently, there is a new attempt to take over our store and put meat in it for sale.

Chico Natural Foods is the last and only natural-foods co-op in California that is still vegetarian. It would be a very sad day for those of us who have shopped there for 31 years if our vegetarian store is ripped away from us.

People who want to buy meat can get it at S & S Produce. The argument that customers go to S & S to buy meat, then end up buying other groceries while they are there, just does not hold water. Why? Because Chico Natural Foods has cheaper prices, overall. That was another of our original goals: to provide the best natural foods at the cheapest prices in town.

I urge everyone to stop this attempt to put meat in our store.

Susan Eissinger
Corning

You can blame whomever you want for the decline of business at the CNF store. The fact of the matter is CNF is inefficient and does not offer its customers the benefits of a competitive business. The customer service is mediocre, the facility itself is not in very good condition, and (contrary to the purpose of a co-op) the prices are too high. Throw in a pinch of “veggier-than-thou” attitude from a few staff members, and you have the perfect recipe for business failure.

Expecting customers to accept this obsolescence for the sake of some implied higher cause is ridiculous. The store may as well remain strictly vegetarian. Selling meat is not going to patch the holes in the sinking ship that is Chico Natural Foods.

Aaron Pico
Chico

Re: “Organic issue” (Letters, by Alan Gair, CN&R, Aug. 10):

With regards to the CNF meat/no meat debate, I feel compelled to respond to the letter written by Mr. Gair. As a vegan, the debate is not as disturbing to me as the fact that Mr. Gair found it necessary to resort to stereotypical rhetoric about vegetarians and vegans to present his viewpoint. Mr. Gair’s characterization is by no means an anomaly. It’s something we deal with on a daily basis.

You see, Mr. Gair presented a perfect illustration of why a sanctuary where no meat is sold is such an important issue for vegetarians and vegans. Most of us have passionate beliefs that we make personal sacrifices to live by. We are routinely ridiculed and dismissed by the meat-eating majority of this country—regardless of our reasons.

I personally don’t go around vilifying or demeaning those who choose to eat meat. I also don’t try to “convert” others. I share my views only with people who express an interest or ask questions. It’s amazing how many people (friends and family included) think they need to rescue me from my “idealistic” ways. I don’t ask anyone else to live by my convictions—but I must live by them.

It’s true, not all organic health-minded people are vegan or vegetarian. It may be unfair to ask for a “special” place for us to shop. But, Mr. Gair, wouldn’t it be just as effective to bring that argument without attacking the character and beliefs of others?

Roxanne Hughes
Chico

Case for war
Re: “More than our image needs makeover” (Guest Comment, by Lana Kitchel, CN&R, Aug. 3):

I have a difficult time believing someone could base their opinions on “studies” published in foreign tabloids. Seventeen thousand participants in five countries do not reflect an accurate opinion.

Who was it that invaded our country and was responsible for the death of over 3,000 American civilians? I believe it was Islamic terrorists! Have there been any repeated attacks on our soil since we went over there? I don’t think so! In just about every major conflict in the world today, who is responsible? Islamic terrorists! Who is responsible for the massive slaughter of innocent civilians in Iraq and other hot spots? The Islamic terrorists!

Were weapons of mass destruction found? Yes, over 500 chemical weapons were found and were not publicized or were minimized by haters of the president.

I don’t understand people like Ms. Kitchel. They seem to think they can form a circle, hold hands, light candles, sing “Kumbaya” and believe the evil bullies of the world will go away.

Things will get worse before they get better. If we don’t run like the previous two presidents and stick it out, then the world can be a better place for our children, their children, and for the normal followers of Mohammad.

Frank Candlish
Oroville

Gas-saving tip
I recently went to see An Inconvenient Truth. At the end of the movie, interspersed with the credits, are many suggestions for how we can all help with the global warming problem. I was not surprised at all to see suggestions along the lines of “If you can, buy a hybrid car” and “When you can, ride a bike.” I was surprised that there was no mention at all of changing our habits when we can’t afford a hybrid but do have to drive.

I have to drive from Chico to the Bay Area occasionally. I normally drive 75 to 80 mph on the freeway and usually at least 10 mph over the speed limit everywhere else. My 1994 Nissan Sentra has always consistently given me about 30 miles per gallon, which I used to think was great.

As an experiment, I recently tried driving at the speed limit for one entire trip. My gas mileage shot up to 38 miles per gallon! That’s a 26 percent improvement.

It costs a lot of money to buy a hybrid. It costs zero money to drive slower. In fact, it will save you money. And the amount of time you save by driving at 80 mph is actually tiny. Yes, you’ll have to use the right-hand lanes, and people will pass you, but you’ll be surprised at how soon you can get used to that.

Rob Arbus
Chico

Corrections
Re: “Arts immersion” (Goin’ Chico): The 2006-07 schedule for Chico Performances does not include Peru Negro. Check www.chicoperformances.com for the updated list of events.

Re: “Building history” (Goin’ Chico): John Gallardo of the Chico Heritage Association, which a number of years ago surveyed the historic buildings in Chico, informed CN&R that some of the sources used for the story were incorrect in certain details. The Bethel A.M.E. Church was built in 1867, not 1863; the original Chico Brewery was located at the corner of 9th and Broadway, not 8th and Main; and St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church was moved to its present site in 1912, not 1914, though it was not completed and used until the latter date.

These have been corrected on the Web site.