Letters for February 9, 2006

That sorry ad
I was dismayed to see the free cigarette insert ad in the Jan. 26 issue of the Chico News & Review. It’s not just the free tobacco, but also the racism that in involved with the use of Native American mascot products. I have always seen the CN&R as avoiding racism and exposing it in other venues.

I have enclosed a full-page ad and copy of the cover of News From Native California, Winter 2005-06. [The ad, funded by the California Department of Health Services, shows Natural American Spirit and similarly themed tobacco brands and reads, “Protect our children from stereotypes. Please don’t sell these products."—eds.] I hope that after seeing this you will see the need for an apology to the North Valley Native American people.

Please do the right thing, apologize and stop the policy of using racist advertising.

Elizabeth River,
Chico

Majority rules
“Bigger is better” is the theme song of the Hooker Oak Alliance and its bedfellows, the Chico Economic Planning Commission (CEPCO) and the Chamber of Commerce ["PAC your bags,” Newslines, Feb. 2].

Hasn’t overgrowth been pleasurable so far? The town’s original hometown businesses were mowed down by big box stores sucking money out of Chico. Deathly crime, choked traffic, potholes, congestion, questionable air and water quality are some of the residues overgrowth has left.

Now, they want to bring back development next to Bidwell Park and the foothills. Everyday citizens have a consistent, reasoned and strong voice with the current council of four: Andy Holcombe, Ann Schwab, Maureen Kirk and Scott Gruendl.

Jerry Olio,
Chico

Wally rings a bell
Regarding Ms. Richardson’s query in “Where’s Wally?” [Letters, Jan. 26] I think I may have at least a partial answer. I have run into our congressman twice in the past month. Once, outside the Chico Mall ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in the wind and the rain. And secondly, walking the miles of the levees that protect the people and farms of Hamilton City, trying to learn how he and the federal government can help to implement a first-class integration of flood damage reduction with a major ecosystem restoration project along the river.

She may donate the $5 to a charity of her choice.

Michael Billiou,
Hamilton City

Bad move, Wally
As a voter in the larger Chico area I am disappointed, angry and astounded that our Representative, Wally Herger, has voted approval for a budget that allocates $120 billion more to support the president’s war while cutting $39.5 billion that would support senior citizens with disabilities, student loans, child care and Medicaid.

He certainly is not my representative when it comes to morally supporting our nation’s idealism nor my idea of what we should stand for.

We can do without this kind of war support and we can do without the lack of support for our children and seniors.

Joyce Staples,
Orland

Right to fight
This letter is in support of the public stance taken by Scott Gruendl and Andy Holcombe, in relation to the lawlessness at Enloe Hospital.

Usually we read letters of complaint regarding public servants siding with big business and turning their backs on the working class. We are fortunate to have a compassionate mayor and vice-mayor who have taken the side of caregivers asking for a living wage

Enloe, a nonprofit organization, had ample opportunity to pay fairly without union intervention. Enloe officials, after refusing to acknowledge that the union was voted in, have also not followed the law handed down from their rejected appeal to the National Labor Relations Board. The union vote was found to be valid and Enloe still will not bargain.

Most of us will have our time to grow old, weak and sick. We have a choice. We can have hospital staff in the daily battlefield against their employer, living on low wages, little to no benefits, an environment of higher than normal staph infections and biohazard waste containers overflowing due to a shortage of employees. Or, we can go to our local hospital knowing we are going to be cared for in a manner we should expect. Wouldn’t you like your caregivers to be free of the worries of the previously stated environment?

Please support this first line of patient contact at Enloe.

And, thank you, Scott Gruendl and Andy Holcombe.

Nina R. Widlund,
received via e-mail

Park of promise
Why is it whenever there is change (of any sort) in Chico it’s as if a newspaper boy called out to all liberals, “Here ye, Here ye. Doomsday is soon to come in Chico!”

I am so sick and tired of all this whining and complaining about our downtown park ["Best laid plans,” Newlines Jan. 26]. Every year I hear the liberals and other parties complain that our local government doesn’t allocate enough attention to our town’s parks and monuments. The hatred surrounded by this project is ridiculously overwhelming. The trees weren’t being taken down just to piss you and our earth off, they were dying. They were dying in the park you wanted to keep so sacred.

Change is not always a bad thing. This new park will allow us to come together in a park where tree limbs won’t fall on us. It will also boost our local businesses by offering a more attractive and safe downtown scenery. This is also a shout out to all you environmentalists as well. I know you love to dance; I saw you every Friday night tearing up, literally, the grass in Children’s Park. The concrete provided in the downtown park will help keep other parks in our town green and fresh so you can shake your hippie bodies as long as you like.

So I propose that the paper boy shout, “Here ye, Here ye. Only promise and fun to come of the new Downtown Park Pavilion!”

Sierra Lopez,
Chico

Inspiration
I recently attended a benefit at the Chico Women’s Center for our good friend and longtime Chico good guy Reid Seibold, who has recently undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer.

After a great spaghetti dinner and a silent auction, we were treated to the great sounds of some absolutely fantastic music by no less than four diverse bands.

We felt truly inspired by the fine music of Secund Naychur, Beltain, Crazygrass (www.crazygrass.com) and Swamp Zen, all of whom donated their time and talent to a worthy cause. Also to be thanked were Amanda Bosschart, Syb Blythe (manager of the Women’s Center) and Ann for their tireless job of promoting the event.

Over 300 well-behaved people of all ages rocked to the beat of one heart, that of Reid Seibold.

I was sincerely impressed with the generosity and love of the people who put on the benefit, the great local musicians who provided the fine music, and the beautiful people who attended in support of one beautiful person.

Mary Mullen,
Chico