Letters for August 27, 2015

Re “The safety factor” (Editorial, Aug. 20):

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Well, I could, but it takes nearly 1,500 words to do it. But yes, enough with the hand-wringing and carrying water for the Chico Police Officers’ Association. They got their headcount, and they got their raise, and for their part they’re doing a pretty convincing impression of a special interest group trying to recapture public good will through public relations, which is a good start, anyway.

But that’s their job. The purpose of the CPOA is to improve the pay, benefits and working conditions of cops in Chico. The daily media, especially television, has been guilty of ginning up this atmosphere of fear and anxiety, and have the responsibility to restore the citizens’ confidence and good will in their city. But I’m not holding my breath.

Good job to the CN&R for its consistent skepticism about the relentless drumbeat of inchoate terror that has been cynically employed to turn the city into an ATM machine for public safety personnel. That’s the media’s job; to scrutinize the conduct of our public business, and to challenge public employees on their assertions. Relying on a stack-ranking from the FBI to demonstrate Chico’s deterioration is the shabbiest sort of consensus manufacture.

Alan Chamberlain

Chico

On water and wells

Re “Sucking air” (Newslines, by Howard Hardee, Aug. 20):

Last week in the story on water [and the moratorium on permits for wells], one farmer showed his hand. Seth Flack complained that he has too much water and he should get special treatment. So, Mr. Flack planted nut trees along the Sacramento River. Apparently, this was not the best place for nut trees. Who made him plant there? No one. What we have is a small group of wealthy farmers, made wealthy by free water. They then send the crop to China, make millions every year, and have the gall to complain when they make bad decisions. How about growing crops that belong in that place and sell the crops to Californians? Greedy capitalists are not stewards of the planet, and all they want is maximum profit.

Marc Deveraux

Chico

There is an El Niño that may or may not deliver some relief from the drought, but if we flush away whatever nature brings, no good will come to us. For the last 200 years, our policies and developments have conspired to transform this valley floor from a seasonal wetland or swamp into a drained desert. They have treated rainfall as a troublesome inconvenience that needs to be flushed to the ocean. As local wells start “sucking air,” we should be focusing on more than conserving water use.

How do we divert our street and roof runoff out of storm drains and into areas for infiltration? How do we allow streams to flood their banks and spread out. We need to focus and plan and promote individual actions and land management projects that infiltrate rainwater and recharge our aquifers in both the urban and rural landscape. Better do it fast.

Richard Roth

Chico

Remember this

Re “Casting Stone” (Letters, by Michael Jones, Aug. 20):

According to Michael Jones, Chico’s city clerk has a compensation package of $200,000 year. And we have policemen who are making upward of $150,000 year. And I bet each of these policemen walk away with pensions worth millions considering they can retire in their early fifties. This in a city with a median household income of $43,372 a year.

In the next election, when the voters are told they must vote to raise the sales tax, I hope they remember the compensation packages of their public “servants.”

Bart Crocket

Chico

Think of the vegans

Re “Eat your vegetables and barley” (Chow, by Matthew Craggs, Aug. 20):

Thanks for featuring Vedge and mentioning vegan options! Our local farmers grow some of the best fruit and produce in the state, yet vegan options are almost never listed on local restaurant menus—“local,” “gluten-free,” and “paleo” are much more common.

Vegetarian entrees loaded with milk, butter and eggs are not the same as vegan entrees. I maintain an online guide to Chico vegan eating (https://chicovegan.wordpress.com/restaurants), and one of my most-used phrases is: “Vegan-friendly, but not clearly labeled.”

Restaurant owners would benefit from having at least one tasty menu item clearly labeled “vegan.” One local vegan favorite is Aonami Sustainable Sushi—chef Jimmy has a clearly labeled section of delicious vegan rolls that are the equal of his traditional sushi. Other eateries in Chico are slowly making it easier to eat vegan.

Chico’s vegan eats have come a long way since the 1990s, but there is still much progress to be made. It would be much appreciated if CN&R dining reviewers would critique vegan options. In my experience, more diners are looking for plant-based dining options as trends like Meatless Monday or “veg before 6” grow nationwide. You’d be doing local readers (and the animals) a favor.

Jeannie Trizzino

Chico

On newspapering

Re “Not alt enough” (Letters, by Kathy Williams, Aug. 20):

A letter writer recently labeled the CN&R an “alternative newspaper.” My thought is that today’s CN&R is, first of all, a newspaper. Yes, it is an alternative to the community’s daily newspaper, but it is far from the “here now, gone tomorrow” flimsies found in most major urban areas.

First of all, it is a member of the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Second, it is a for-profit business. Third, its staff and contributing writers are paid.

Chico has had a number of true “alternative newspapers” in its past. All are gone and most have failed. Publishing an alternative means acquiring a pile of cash, a bunch of dedicated volunteers, hopefully a line of credit, and then running like crazy until you’re the last one in the room. The motivation may be political, environmental, social, or most likely, a combination of all. Sometimes, vengeance can be a great publishing motivation. In the end, though, the result is mostly always the same.

The CN&R once fit most of the descriptors presented above. It nearly went under; instead, it surfaced—with help—as a successful enterprise. That’s why we refer to the experience as “working in the newspaper business.”

Ron Angle

Chico

‘Give me a break!’

Re “The healing flow” (Fifteen minutes, by Vic Cantu, Aug. 13):

Once again, I find myself defending science. Why on earth would you advertise for these pseudo-scientific practitioners? Bits from your article: “Recreating the flow or the right vibration, community acupuncture, doga (yoga for dogs), hypnotherapy, psychic readers, sound healers, angel readings (card readings channeled through angels), despacho shamanism, Indian pipe ceremonies, Ayurvedic diets, integrate your spirituality.” Give me a break!

There is no alternative medicine. If it’s alternative, it’s not medicine. One of the dangers with people pursuing these quack treatments is that they will shun the real ones that actually might help. Yes, medicine is not an exact science, but it is based on evidence. Treatments change because science advances.

As journalists, you bear a responsibility. Would you want your children treated by these people and not medically trained doctors?

Chuck Samuels

Chico

PV’s band rocks

Last week, as I was on my way to the main office at Pleasant Valley High School to pick up my grandson, I had the unexpected pleasure to experience the PVHS band practicing out on the lawn. There is only one word to describe these kids: phenomenal! For anyone who hasn’t heard them play, do so, you’re in for a treat.

All the parents of these kids must be extremely proud. I was told they had been practicing together for only a few days. Local news stations would do well to video them and put this on the nightly news for all to enjoy!

Karin Charmley

Chico

Trumpeting his candidate

Bernie Sanders, to me, is the best person to be the next president.

He voted against the Iraq War and has taken on the former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, telling him he was flat out wrong (and Greenspan later admitted he was wrong). No PACs are supporting Sanders’ run for president, and I consider him capable of taking on the “establishment” and accomplishing positive change while telling the truth and pursuing what I consider to be the important issues, including staying out of foreign wars and bringing the “middle class” back to prosperity and providing healthcare for all.

He will represent you, the 99 percent.

The media and the political pundits say he can’t win and have thus not covered him. They are giving all their attention to the unelectable Donald Trump. Sanders is an “independent” who is taking advantage of also being a Democrat. Bernie would like a minimum of six debates, but the Democratic National Committee is dragging its feet scheduling them.

The 2016 election is probably the last time we will be able to vote for a qualified “independent” candidate representing the 99 percent—take advantage of it and vote “Bernie” He is electable. Check out what he stands for on Facebook at “North Staters for Bernie.”

Norm Dillinger

Chico

Tales from the topless

I am writing to inform readers of Chico Breast Liberations’ “toptional” picnic and the events that took place at One-Mile Recreation Area on Sunday. People of all ages and body types peacefully gathered to enjoy the day, unencumbered by the need for shirts. We had snacks and a guided conversation on embodied empowerment. Another group of people began to verbally harass us, and after some time, and them shouting in front of their children about how we need to “think about the children,” they called the police.

Thankfully the picnickers knew the law, and had half-sheet cutouts with legal information on them. The officers ended up telling the other group that we were in our legal rights and that they can not harass us. It is a small and subtle victory, but one that will have rippling effects.

Kevin Killion

Chico

Thanking Hillary Clinton

I read that Hillary Clinton’s ratings have plummeted, and her team can’t figure out why? Can someone from Chico or any other town in America help her out?

She lied about her emails. Complying with the law was so simple. She had a position, had an assigned email, and she consciously made a decision to violate the law. That was enough for me to look for a different candidate. I want to thank Clinton, however, because I would rather find out whether a candidate snubs her nose at the public before office than after election day.

If you work in Washington or sit on the board of the local garbage company, follow the law. If you can’t do that, do us in the public a favor and get out.

Larme Wilson

Chico