Letters for August 18, 2005

Shock value
It is unfortunate to hear so many were in an uproar over an article that would have opened more eyes than any “student-welcome” note from the university president ever could [“The party rules,” Goin’ Chico]. Has it become too hard for our community to read about the lives that we have created for ourselves? Sure, the article was extremely blunt, but very well written, and should be recognized for that. If CSUC is really trying to change its reputation then they should have clearly seen that this article could have been a strong kickoff to the new school year.

Shock value is vital to get any point across to today’s youth, which the university should already know. There was no promotion of alcohol and drug consumption in this article; if anything it’s more of an eye-opener as to why not to get completely shit-faced. This article simply stated a truth; a truth that apparently Chico State didn’t want to leak out. Maybe after the release of Campus Invasion 7, a dozen more alcohol-related deaths and a completely tainted reputation, CSUC will recognize a good article when they see one.

Megan Pasalich
Age 21

Local support
Concerning your most recent Goin’ Chico 2005 story, “Thank You for Your Patronage,” I’d like to thank your publication’s support of local businesses.

Competing against corporate chains is a never-ending battle for small, local businesses like ours. Their endless resources, aggressive expansion plans and predatory business practices often lead to small family-owned businesses feeling financial stress. Or even going under. It’s an unfortunate sign of the times.

Your encouraging students and local residents to patronize the many local quality alternatives Chico has to offer is smart, helpful and very much appreciated.

Lance & Shelly Blanshei
Bidwell Perk & Teaz Me

Truth stings
A big thanks and shout out to Josh Indar. Bravery rules and it’s about time someone spoke the truth clearly, and succinctly. “The Party rules” is and will be an historical epic tale.

Remembering Tim Bousquet’s article on ol’ Chico mentioning that there were something like 13 bars in this town during the heyday of the late 19th century, I wonder “when will they ever learn?”

Lani Lila
Chico

Advice to Enloe
During the winter of 2004 I sustained a post-surgical infection at Enloe Medical Center. I harbored no anger or blame toward the doctors who had counseled me of possible risks. I agreed with Enloe administrator Jan Ellis when she wrote, “… one case, or even a few, do not portray an accurate picture of patient safety overall.” I assumed I was one of the “unlucky” few, part of a small statistical sample that would not significantly skew Enloe’s safety record.

However, by sharing my story with others, I concluded that this community is dealing with many more infection cases than “a few.” A simple solution to this seeming disagreement would be for Enloe to publicly disclose its infection rate in straightforward, easy to understand data. Currently, six states mandate that hospitals do this. Pending legislation in California would dictate the same policy. Enloe could reap enormous public relations benefits by volunteering this information.

In the meantime, those of us who are “infection connected” will continue to meet on a regular basis, (27 attended our July inaugural session). We invite anyone with interest in this issue to join us on Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Chico branch of the Butte County Library.

Tom Neary
Chico

Regurgitated ideals
This letter is in reference to your comment that “the crowd at Mr. Lucky’s resembles the rough crowd coming in and out of the tattoo parlor.” We have been established here in town going on 12 years and tattoo all types of people. It’s not just for us criminals anymore. Our clients are mainly college students, as well as locals from in and around Chico. They are hard-working people, especially since tattoos are far from cheap nowadays. They are essentially the exact same people patronizing the other businesses in downtown Chico.

Were the three Thai exchange students we tattooed the other day secretly gangsters from Bangkok? Maybe the News & Review should do a little research to substantiate your proclamations before making what amounts to slanderous remarks about a local downtown business. Or are you guys too busy thinking that your regurgitated political ideals and agenda will actually make any sort of difference in this community?

David Singletary
Sacred Art Tattoo

Shock in the E-R
I was shocked, disappointed and dismayed to read in the E-R (of all places) that Robert Speer had been fired as senior editor. He was missed during his absence a few years ago, and I was delighted to see he had returned. He provided a mature, thoughtful and experienced perspective, not found elsewhere in the News & Review or in the Enterprise-Record.

The way in which he was dismissed, apparently without any notice, was poorly done and not worthy of an award-winning newspaper. I can only hope that he remains in Chico and will find another venue to make his voice heard on important issues.

Heather Schlaff
Chico

Forgotten folklore
At a minimum, we expected the CN&R editor to write a tribute to Bob Speer for his accomplishments. Instead, the “Inside View” column offered flippant, inappropriate comments about being scooped by the Chico Enterprise-Record. Your smirky attempts at humor added nothing to our understanding of why a News & Review pioneer was suddenly considered dispensable. Even more egregiously, you trivialized the significance of Bob’s dismissal and the resulting hardship to his family.

Bob Speer is a thoughtful, gentle human being, a gifted writer and an uncompromising newspaper professional with the courage to embrace positions that were sometimes unpopular with his readers. His role in helping to move the Wildcat off campus and the founding of the Chico News & Review are part of Chico’s folklore. By any measure, the unceremonious hatchet job he got from the CN&R is appalling.

Pam Figge and Steve Scarborough
Chico

Civil servants
Civility today, servility tomorrow?

Stephen T. Davis
Chico