Letters for July 25, 2019
Funding and farming
Re “Branching out,” (Newslines, by Ashiah Scharaga) and “The future of local farming” (Cover story, by CN&R staff and Robert Speer, July 18):
It may now be a matter of “rubber stamping” $207,000 in emergency homeless funds for distribution to Catalyst, an already existing and funded women’s shelter. In view of extremely limited homeless funding (we apparently have difficulty funding two 24-hour toilets, at $30,000 per annum), it’s a misallocation. The vast majority of the chronically unsheltered homeless (those literally on the streets) and 80 percent of those who die in our public spaces are destitute, disabled men. Catalyst provides no shelter for men. Funds should be awarded to organizations—such as Safe Space Winter Shelter—with a track record of offering cost-effective, hospitality-based, low-barrier shelter options to a fully inclusive cross-section of the homeless population.
Around the time I sat through an ag school lecture on “how to get into farming,” the Nixon administration went to work implementing the “get big or get out” policies that plowed under most of the remaining small farms in America. Today, 99 percent of our food is grown by massive corporate entities. Yes, farmers may be aging, but corporations have a way of finding workers—mostly on the cheap. In this increasingly unequal society, who will have access to land and capital in the future? And, when do we initiate land reform?
Patrick Newman
Chico
Governments, corporations
Re “Why aren’t we discussing population?” (Cover story, by Alastair Bland, July 11):
In the story, economist David Zetland is quoted as saying, “It’s a total fallacy that the economy needs constant growth and a growing population.” Unfortunately, mankind follows fallacies all the time. It is my belief that there are two entities that either need or believe they need population growth for continued prosperity. And they do not want to talk about the population.
Those entities are governments and corporations. Anyone with experience in government budgeting knows that budgets are rarely ever lowered. They usually remain the same or are increased. Increased citizens equals increased tax revenues and budget increase is offset. Corporations suffer from the law of diminishing returns. With an ever-growing population, an always increasing potential customer base offsets diminishing returns and bureaucratic waste.
W. Jeff Straub
Redding
Good program, bad site
There is intent and there is intention. It is the intent of the Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition to establish a mobile needle exchange in Chico. Good. It is the intention of the Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition to establish said program in the heart of a family-based Chapman mini-neighborhood. Bad.
The program is bounded by Boucher Street, Cleveland Street, Guill Street, Humboldt Avenue and Highway 99, including both Ohio and Virginia streets between Guill Street and Community Park. Within those boundaries are three neighborhood churches and a Head Start center. Most of the homes in the segment are owner-occupied with families and retirees. I have lived there since 1990.
Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition is applying for funding for this program. Their application will be opposed most strongly. And we resent the implication that ours is a neighborhood overwhelmed by addicts.
Ronald Angle
Chico
Editor’s note: See Downstroke, page 8, for more on this subject.
Blue-state blues
Re “Taxes and independence” (Letters, by Roger Klaves, July 18):
Yes, Mr. Klaves, you are right the gas tax was not an issue back in 1776, but it sure is now. I am astounded at how leftists are so partisan that they can’t see anything bad that their administration has caused. The constant exodus from this great state because of the Democratic policies should be alarming, but they seem to not care a thing about it. This state is in a state of utter decay and getting worse by the year. We have no voice in the Legislature and we are constantly losing our freedoms.
I am appalled at how the blue states that are supposedly for the poor and downtrodden are the most expensive to live in. We pay more than ever before and get less all because people keep electing Democrats to the Legislature. It is proof that something needs to change if we are going to right this ship before it sinks.
Travis Smith
Biggs
Exploitation abounds
Re “Council deserves credit for rental relief” (Editorial, July 11):
Besides generally missing what actually happened to the City Council’s discussion of a “good-cause eviction” ordinance—why the landlords left happy and the renters felt betrayed—your editorial includes the council’s ludicrous idea that “the market will stabilize” in six months.
First, a housing market and a rental market are not the same. Last time the housing market crashed, rents did not go down. If the council lets the price-gouging law expire in January, and rent is “stabilized,” it won’t be any return to our quaint pre-fire housing crisis; landlords will simply take more of our money.
Secondly, as your article (“Dis- placements continue,” Newslines, July 11) points out, the last time good-cause eviction was brought up by the council, back in February, landlords said the same thing.
Addison Winslow
Chico
Trump cabinet candidate?
If Puerto Rico Gov. Ricky Rossello resigns, he always has a place in the Trump administration. Based on reports and leaked messages, revealing his “vengeful approach” to running the government, including attacking journalists by discrediting their stories, and using derogatory terms against women, Rossello will fit right in.
Furthermore, Rossello’s filthy language, such as telling the federal board responsible for managing Puerto Rico’s financial crisis to go “F” themselves, is just another (of many) indications that the governor should flee the island and head to familiar territory like, say, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Ray Estes
Redding
Thanks, neighbors
We have lived in the Parkway Village Drive area for 22 years. Due to dog walks, we are friendly with most of our neighbors within a several block radius. Though we do not know everyone by name, I want to extend a most grateful thank you to these neighbors. I recently had a bike accident and hit the pavement face first. One fellow phoned my husband. Within minutes, many of my neighbors were in the street and stayed with us till the ambulance arrived. Though I was not cognizant, the support to call David, stay with us till I was taken to Enloe, and returning my bike to the house, was immensely helpful.
To all of you, thank you for the action, care and concern you gave to both my husband and me. I was discharged a few days after the accident. There are some facial and dental issues, but fortunately, I was wearing my helmet, so there is no cranial damage. As a senior I ride at a leisurely pace, but no matter how slow one goes, a fall can happen. Always wear a helmet.
Nina Widlund
Chico
Correction
Annie Terry’s title was incorrect in last week’s Newslines (see “Branching out,” by Ashiah Scharaga). She is the director of Oroville Rescue Mission’s family services. We apologize for the error, which has been corrected online. —ed.