Letters for December 5, 2019

District discussions

Re “About-face” (Newslines, by Ashiah Scharaga, Nov. 14) and “Housing and cannabis” (Newslines, by Ashiah Scharaga, Nov. 21):

I must note my extreme disappointment in the path the city has chosen in regard to district elections. Despite the gross violations of the civil rights to our fellow community members and the immense financial cost to the city, the council seems dead set to do less than the bare minimum to fix the problem.

As your articles note, Councilwoman Ann Schwab’s questions focused on the incumbency of current council members and Councilman Karl Ory noted the current plan would prevent a large portion of the city from voting in 2020, potentially including the protected classes excluded from our current system. These on-the-record comments show the current plan will not meet the requirements of the California Voting Rights Act. Further, even the most cursory research into previous cases like ours reveals that the current legal representation has no real understanding of the issue and thus has given flawed advice on the actual options going forward.

Chaz Kelley

Chico

Native knowledge

Re “Touch the sky” (Guest comment, by Janet E. Rechtman, Nov. 28):

Indigenous people were the first to reflect on “touching the sky,” while weaving harmony and “open mutuality” with nature. Yet many longtime Butte County residents, let alone newcomers, have no knowledge of the history and ecological wisdom Mechoopda tribal members have nurtured generation to generation.

Hallelujah: The omnibus Farm Bill extends the maximum duration of federal land stewardship contracts up to 20 years in areas where the majority of federal lands are in Fire Regime Groups I (much of Butte County), II and III. Thank goodness for the wisdom of the Mechoopda Tribe and its partners, including the Butte County Fire Safe Council, for their ongoing work on a 20-year stewardship contract focusing Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the wildland-urban interface. Stewarding the land using traditional knowledge will be a much-needed return to native Mechoopda roots. Contact them at tekstewardship@gmail.com.

Bill Mash

Chico

Retort time

Re “Oh, cynicism” (Letters, by Patrick Spielman, Nov. 28):

In his letter, Patrick Spielman accuses me of disparaging Bernie Sanders. I invite Mr. Spielman to go back and read my letter dated Nov. 14 and tell me what part of being an independent, and being four years older and unhealthy, is not true about Sanders.

Bernie recently had a heart attack for cornbread and buttermilk’s sakes. That’s unhealthy. As far as referring to the corrupt individual holding the White House hostage as a dictator, Spielman will get no apology from me for that. Any arrogant boss insisting on ultimate power—that will have his subordinates go around the table and praise him—is worse than a dictator. As far as I’m concerned, it gets no more telling than that when “strongman” Trump demands such praise from his lackey cabinet members. Bottom line, it’s downright sickening.

Trump would love nothing more than to be a dictator. Furthermore, Sanders and Warren are falling in the polls even in white Iowa. And as far as a remedy for losing to the likes of Trump, as I suggested in 2016, keep the independents off the Democratic ticket.

Ray Estes

Redding

One for the resisters

On Nov. 25, the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission passed (on a 4-to-1 vote, with two absent) a request that the city of Chico fund five new 24-hour portable toilets. This may die at the council level, but it was a rare night, regardless. I can’t count many nights where the homeless “won.”

I’m grateful to Commissioner Scott Grist for leading the way. Also, to Charles Withuhn for joining me in speaking from the floor.

Years of advocating for this one simple thing, justice on the issue of 24-hour access to toilets, has left little cause for optimism. In an environment such as this, we too often see one marginalized, under-supported group deprived of their human rights (like access to toilets) and civil liberties—on the way to the imposition of authoritarian measures, more and more broadly.

Call me an alarmist, but in an era of gross wealth inequality, the fate of our democratic culture and institutions hangs in the balance. As we go down this rabbit hole, we either allow the demonization, criminalization, deprivation and consolidation of the poorest people, or we resist, every way we can.

Patrick Newman

Chico

‘Food for thought’

Inside the smoke-filled confines of CN&R’s editorial board, where you gather to achieve a consensus to select a Democrat challenger to DJT, therein one can hear rumblings of dissension. Ultimately, a consensus is not achievable: Joe Biden is too stodgy, wealthy and old; Bernie is too wealthy, liberal and old; Warren is too “kindergarten school” looking; Mayor Pete is, well, Mayor Pete; Kamala is of a darker pigment, and is a liberal Californian. Slim pickings one would surmise.

Therefore, endorse the incumbent, Donald Trump! It would ensure another term of bashing the guy who works for free, and has a glowing record of creating the strongest economy in more than 50 years, and will keep making America great! Furthermore, your numerous Never Trumpers can continue to submit silky letters screaming their distaste for DJT 45. It’s food for thought, don’t you think?

Bill Collins

Yuba City

Undercover fascists

Fascism disguises itself well in our community. It hides behind words like safety and freedom, appealing to our most basic needs. Who could argue against wanting a safe community? Listen carefully and read the fine print. You’ll find that fascists can achieve freedom only at the expense of others.

The Proud Boys, a violent white supremacist organization, recently came to Chico for a rally that used warm and fuzzy buzzwords, including “love” and “freedom.” Local leaders took part in the event. You won’t see our local fascists wearing swastikas or white robes, at least not in public. They wear suits and uniforms. They wear jeans. They even wear Hawaiian shirts. Most pretend to love LGBTQ folks and people of color. There are enough other people they can target—namely transgender people, folks without homes, and people who use drugs.

Bryce Goldstein

Chico

Ban pot here, please

The Chico City Council needs to adopt an ordinance on not allowing people to smoke weed at bus stops. Enough is enough—clean it up. Chico Police Department needs to do its part and put a stop to it, too.

Anne Graham

Orland

Pass these bills

It is time for Congress to pass a bill that will lower drug prices that will make drugs more affordable for all Americans. Both houses have bills pending that could make that happen. Too many Americans, especially senior citizens, have to make a choice between much-needed prescriptions and food on the table. The current situation is unacceptable.

Richard Manske

Magalia

As an older American, I know that ever-rising costs for life-saving and life-enhancing medications are endangering older Americans. And younger folk often have to choose between medicines and putting food on the table as well.

This is a travesty, especially when there are bipartisan proposals in Congress right now, today, that could help fix this. Now is the time for our representatives to enact legislation to help us. Now is the time for members of Congress to vote yes on bills that lower drug prices.

Laurie McBride

Magalia

Help fund bike giveaway

I’m writing to you about our class’ bicycle project and the Boys & Girls Club holiday bicycle giveaway. In the next few weeks, our class—with the help of our teacher, Mr. Bransky—will take older, used, donated bikes and fix them up to make them look brand new. Once the bikes are repainted and polished, the Boys & Girls Club will give them to children who wouldn’t normally get a bicycle under their holiday tree.

Here is where you can help. To make these bikes look brand new, we can use parts like tires, grips and chains. If it would be easier, you could make a monetary donation. Checks can be made out to Citrus Elementary. It doesn’t have to be a large donation—any amount would be great.

Thank you, in advance, for your generosity. Your donation will help some lucky boy or girl find a bicycle under their holiday three.

Deneigh Morgan

Chico

Theater critic

Well, it seems you now must have a willingness to be tracked, a smartphone and a credit card to go to the movies. I’m talking about a new reserved-seating system that you must use to purchase a ticket. It’s a people-unfriendly system that does not take into account the needs of the elderly and disabled, but does encourage you to buy your ticket in advance over the internet.

This has been building for a while—since they stopped printing their listings, started a members-only club and a game app to further track their customers (brag to your friends!). Now they are not even bothering to print legible listings for the ticket booth. Additionally, the lights they put in so you can see your seat number ruin the movie experience and shine into the corners of your eyes. People will start coming in at the last minute so they don’t have to watch those ads.

Allowing a company a monopoly in your community means that you will trust them to serve that community, and at the old location Cinemark did. I remember one woman’s grateful letter to the editor explaining how their low-cost matinees helped her through a loss. Now they are getting bossy.

Robert Andersen

Chico