Letters for February 22, 2018

It’s about design

Re “Parking pass” (Newslines, by Ashiah Scharaga, Feb. 15):

Director of public works-engineering Brendan Ottoboni has it wrong: the collisions on East were likely caused by excessive automobile speed, and widening the roadway will increase speeds even more, causing more collisions and increased injuries, and make the street even less livable.

Ottoboni should look at a road diet to reduce the total lanes to one in each direction plus a center turn lane, add protected bike lanes, or commit to finding another engineered traffic calming measure.

Transportation design must prioritize safety and neighborhood compatibility over high vehicle speed in neighborhoods. This approach is in line with current Caltrans policy, which recently adopted the NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials) design guidelines for use in the state. These ideas also align with Vision Zero, a movement to reduce fatalities and major injuries on roads.

Most collisions stem from bad design (including design that encourages speeding). Ottoboni should follow the advice of recent research, of Caltrans, and of Vision Zero, and use a NACTO design to slow those cars down. Simultaneously, Chico should adopt a Vision Zero policy to provide a mandate that supports and empowers the director to make safety his first priority moving forward.

Phil Boutelle

Santa Cruz

Editor’s note: The author is a former Butte County resident.

Commentary comeback

Re “An era for truly uniting” (Guest comment, by Mark Segal, Feb. 15):

Truly uniting would necessitate that Democrats stop emphasizing and dividing people by their specialness—be it sexual, racial or religious—and embrace with compassion our common humanity.

People whom many would easily view as unpleasant bigots are part of humanity, and it would be better for the future if we emphasize what we have in common and work with compassion to understand our differences. Probably, those of us who disdain bigotry would be bigots if our life paths had been the same as those we regard as bigots.

Talking, while looking for understanding and each other’s common humanity, can make progress toward a better future.

I am excited Chelsea Manning is running against Sen. Ben Cardin, who, as most congressional Democrats, always supports regime change and military solutions, and is the author of a bill making it a felony to support a boycott of Israel. Manning will speak truth to power.

Lucy Cooke

Butte Valley

Yet another tragedy

During the 19 years between the Columbine shooting and the latest tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla., there have been 270 school shootings.

After each shooting, we see the now predictable chain of events—shock, grief, thoughts and prayers, the ongoing debate of mental health issues vs. Second Amendment rights, and finally parents organizing in an effort to impact gun control legislation. Hopefully this time will be different. The students of Parkland are speaking up. Their voices are loud, strong and organized.

With so many of our elected officials receiving huge donations from the NRA, it’s hard to be hopeful. Our current president received $21 million from the NRA for his campaign and many House and Senate Republicans have received contributions in the millions, with Republican Sen. John McCain topping the list.

Until stricter gun legislation is passed by Congress, current laws are more strictly enforced and mental health issues are addressed more effectively, there is not much hope of reversing the current trend of gun violence in our schools.

Lastly, authorities must act. “If you see something, say something” means nothing without action. Nikolas Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill, erratic behavior and social media posts were all known by authorities.

Bill Unger

Paradise

Tired of canned responses to another shooting tragedy? “Now is not the time for discussion” or “We can’t infringe on the rights of citizens.” Or my favorite: “This is a mental health issue and not a gun issue.” Really? Excluding suicides, guns kill 14,000 people annually in the U.S.

Mass shootings are a small part of this statistic. There have been 1,624 of these in the last 1,870 days, resulting in 1,890 deaths. The 17 deaths at Parkland is the largest since the Nov. 15 Rancho Tehama shootings.

Shockingly, there’ve been 38 mass shootings since then. Following Sandy Hook in 2013, President Obama signed legislation restricting those with mental illnesses from acquiring weapons. On Feb. 28, 2017, the popular vote runner-up signed a bill reversing this and removed 75,000 names from a database created for these protections. In May 2017, America’s embarrassment proposed a “budget plan” to trim $1 trillion over the next decade with significant cuts to mental-health services through the Mental Health Services Administration. This government’s rhetoric is in direct conflict with its actions.

Thoughts, prayers and continued lip service do nothing. We deserve better from our elected officials.

Dave Schwartz

Chico

I am impressed with how the students from the Florida high school, where 17 people were killed by an assault weapon, are responding and organizing.

They want assault weapons banned. That makes sense, but the Republican Party’s “platform” is that assault weapons are an American’s right to own to hunt and “protect their family,” so it is extremely unlikely a ban will happen. But the same Republicans prohibit assault weapons from being brought into the U.S. Capitol or the White House.

For those of us who have served in war zones, we know assault weapons are for killing people. If you see a photo of a gun range, people are shooting at silhouettes of humans, not deer.

In California we have tough rules. A convicted felon out of prison cannot buy any weapons. However, a felon can drive to a gun show in Nevada and buy assault weapons (Trump’s polices are no background checks) and when they drive back into California, the officers at the booth ask the felons if they have any fruit in the car.

Democrats across the country will support these energized students.

Bob Mulholland

Chico

Within this calendar year of 2018, there have been 17 or 18 (difficult to keep count) mass shootings. Of those events, how many of the shooters were undocumented immigrants?

J. Troy Chambers

Live Oak

Many reputable sociologists and psychologists believe that the media play a significant role in the genesis of school shooters. Stories and photos sensationalize and glamorize them to the outcast crowd, thereby propagating imitated behavior.

The media doesn’t just bring the shooter and his story to the world; they also bring the world to the feet of the shooter. He sees how the media pay perverse homage to his deeds. His imitators see this as well.

The next school shooter might already have the guns he will use. What he doesn’t have—yet—is an infamous reputation thanks to the media. But he trusts they will perform.

Do you think we should limit the “freedom of the (printing) press?” Censure what they can print? Maybe we should consider taking presses away from those on the terrorist watch list? I mean, they are terrorists, right? Google how the terrorist watch list works.

The Second Amendment, as the First, was created to put fear into tyranny. Chip away at an amendment you don’t particularly support or believe in, and don’t be surprised when they chip away at the ones you do.

Peter Bridge

Ord Bend

The CAS/BHS saga

Cody Alert is an animal welfare Facebook page that was created in January 2014 to help reunite lost/found animals throughout Northern California. As a Cody Alert moderator, I am extremely proud of our success; we are over 25,500 members strong and have reunited thousands of animals. We couldn’t do this important work without the support of our members, which includes many invaluable Chico Animal Shelter staff.

The Chico Animal Shelter team are tenured, experienced, honest, transparent and, most importantly, committed to the humane treatment of animals. Cody Alert is monitored on the Chico Animal Shelter staff computers as they intake animals, and make comparisons to posted animals on Cody Alert. You can’t put a price tag on what it means to an owner to get a call or see a post on Cody Alert from the Chico Animal Shelter staff, finding out their beloved fur-child is safe.

We do not see this same cooperation with Butte Humane Society, and this has been strongly indicative of what other animal organizations have experienced.

It is my hope to continue the collaborative efforts of Cody Alert and Chico Animal Shelter; therefore, I strongly support and encourage the City Council to keep the contract with Chico Animal Shelter.

Megan Rawie

Paradise

As a lifetime animal supporter, I joined the board of the Butte Humane Society (BHS) three years ago. Throughout this time, I have seen some of the most successful and caring business owners and professionals join the cause.

I’ve read the letters to the editor debating who should or should not deliver animal sheltering services and am compelled to chime in. I’ve managed and owned businesses for decades and understand how complex running a successful venture can be. BHS has worked diligently over the past several years to implement a business model that will ensure financial accountability, professional leadership and provide successful outcomes for homeless animals.

There are many moving pieces: fundraising, staffing, management, program development, public outreach, and most importantly, animal sheltering and care.

BHS is committed to continued growth and advancement. Awarding the contract to an organization that has a rich history in Chico will benefit the animals in our community. The mission of BHS is to save lives, find homes and inspire compassion. I have complete faith in the ability and ethics of BHS management, staff, and its board to deliver these services—and save more lives.

Peter Bell

Chico

Cuddles, Pickles, Junior, Benjamin, Dee, Spot, Diego, Pops, Johnny, Mr. Nibbles, Batman, Goober, Marrietta, Ace, Gizzy, Crystal, Sarabi, Stanley, J.T., Chip, Simon, Choco, Pretty Girl, Milo, Kiki, Donald, Baby Bear, Koa, Parker, Peaches, Chupie, Jimmy, Mr. Mighty, Indigo, Gavin, Heaven, Rocky, Kosmo, Growler, Lady, Poochie, Nicki, Bella, Frenchie, Elmer, Hudson, Cris, Samson, Slim, Mr. Serious, Conan, Star, Harley, Josh, Morty, Midnight, Emerson, Cooper, Red, Daisy, Dodger, Laurel, Saltine, Marvin, Lulu and Berry.

These are the names of just a small fraction of the dogs that the Butte Humane Society denied entry into their adoption program over the last six years. They were denied for reasons ranging from medical issues, like heartworm or broken legs, to behavioral problems like being fearful or too hyper. The dogs listed here, and more, were successfully adopted out by the Chico Animal Shelter (CAS).

CAS consistently chooses to spend time working with and treating the not-quite-perfect animals in their care, giving them a chance to find their perfect homes. I hope the citizens of Chico realize that these dogs would not have stood a chance without CAS staff’s dedication and care. Chico, please be careful when contracting out.

Gina Catallo

Sacramento

Editor’s note: The author is a former Chico Animal Shelter employee.

There have been many letters the last few weeks arguing that the city of Chico should not contract with Butte Humane Society.

Those wishing to maintain the status quo argue that the Butte Humane Society is not as concerned with the welfare of our community’s animals as the city employees at the city animal shelter. Butte Humane Society has provided a wide scope of animal welfare services to Chico for 107 years.

For the last seven years, Butte Humane Society has been run by a strong volunteer board of local animal lovers who are experienced professionals and business managers who have demonstrated sound fiscal responsibility. The nonsensible arguments against Butte Humane Society is a transparent attempt to protect city jobs that are duplicated within Butte Humane Society.

If the Butte Humane Society is picked to assume the animal services responsibilities, many of the positions within the animal shelter that are not duplicated in the Butte Humane Society will be continued, although the overall effect will be a city cost reduction and increased efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the Butte Humane Society.

The end effect will be high standards of animal welfare and a better animal welfare value for the city.

Bill Knudsen

Chico

The city of Chico is lucky to have dedicated animal welfare organizations attempting to solve the problems associated with lost and unwanted pets. Typically, organizations collaborate to support one another in this mission. It is, therefore, distressing to read letters from Butte Humane Society (BHS) board members disparaging the excellent work being accomplished by Chico Animal Services (CAS).

CAS took over a shelter in disarray and turned it into a clean, efficient shelter. The staff are extremely professional and have a history of working in animal welfare.

To the best of my knowledge, BHS’s board is composed of people from the business community. This may explain why they appear more interested in the city’s budget and expanding their influence than in the animals’ well-being.

When BHS lost the contract to run the city shelter six years ago, it was stated that BHS should do “what they do best” by concentrating on animal adoption. Why do they now believe they can meet and exceed the requirements of the contract and successfully operate animal control, the intake shelter and adoption services?

I am confident that the city of Chico will make the right decision to keep the services in the very capable and proven hands of the current staff.

Wendy Woods

Chico

Grow thee a garden

Last spring a few of my co-workers and I got a plot at the community garden. Our plot was 15-by-15 and cost us $75, water included. Between the four of us, paying for this and keeping up with the watering duties throughout our blistering summer was easily managed. It was absolutely worth it.

As a person who lives in an apartment, the ability to have a legitimate garden was wonderful. Even sharing between four people and sharing with friends, I never lacked for tomatoes, chilies or squash. My peppers and Sun Gold tomatoes produced until November. Only last week I turned my final squash into lasagna and I have dried chilies and basil to supply me for years.

Not only did I grow enough food to defray my minimal cost, I am also sure I ate far more veggies lest they go to waste. The enjoyment I got from having a thriving garden cannot be understated, and I know my co-workers shared my sentiment. I urge anyone interested to get a plot now before it’s too late. For more information check their web page: www.becnet.org/community-gardens.

Dustin Marsh

Chico

Corrections

A story in last week’s Business Issue (see “Flipping onto the screen,” by Ken Smith, Feb. 15) included a typo in a quote that incorrectly relayed the accuracy of flippers Chenoa and David Rivera when it comes to estimating a house’s needed rehab costs.

Also, in a recent cover story (see “The way to wellness,” by Ken Smith, Feb. 8) artist John McMackin’s drawings were inaccurately described. Mr. McMackin makes drawings for patients of Enloe Medical Center’s Infusion Therapy Clinic. (He does not draw their portraits.)

We apologize for the errors, which have been corrected online. —ed.