Letters for May 17, 2018

About restroom access

Re “Locked out” (Cover story, by Ashiah Scharaga, May 10):

It is the responsibility of the Chico City Council to make restroom access available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All members of the council are sworn to protect public safety and to uphold the Constitution. A lack of restroom availability threatens public health, and since our poorest citizens are cited (criminalized) for relieving themselves, during the eight or 10 hours of daily closure, we are in violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Last summer, in a protest appearance, I asked the City Council to resign. The council remains in breach of their oath.

The roots of our current idiocy run deep. Remember the night of March 1, 2016, when former Councilwoman Tami Ritter proposed we put a portable unit in the parking lot by City Hall? The current Jesus Center director and the current director of the Downtown Chico Business Association both spoke, but neither supported Ritter. All appearances aside (endless talk of a Portland Loo), I’ve never been convinced downtown business boosters are sincerely interested in making progress.

We could solve this problem in one day: drop 10 portables now. Cheap, effective and humane.

Patrick Newman

Chico

I was doing yard work one chilly morning. A guy with a backpack walked past and I called out, “Have you had breakfast?”

He called back, “Yes, I had some nuts along the road.”

I offered to fix us both a hot breakfast and we headed into the kitchen to eat. He was friendly, appreciative, and while homeless, he moved on without pissing on my porch.

A couple with a child pulled up in front of my house in a Nissan Armada. Opulence on wheels. The mother sat on the edge of my property and held her child as he peed, while the father pointed their French bulldog deeper onto my property to relieve itself. He noticed me and said, “Oh, he’s not pooping,” as if that made it OK to use my property as their communal toilet.

You can draw your own conclusions regarding biological needs, personal dignity and respect for others’ property. Though anecdotal, it appears “having to go” is more a matter of access to facilities than being homed or homeless.

They drove away, and I thought of something that made me chuckle, so I smiled it off: There but for the grace of God “go” I.

Peter Bridge

Ord Bend

Speaking of homelessness

What is best for the Chico homeless? Or maybe an even more important question might be: What would be best for the Chico residents who are not homeless?

A proposal has been made for the establishment of a home for the homeless in the south area near the Torres Community Shelter. Along with that consideration is the proposal that small wooden structures be established in the designated area, suitable for one, possibly two residents for each structure. One alternative to the small wooden houses might be the use of recreation trailers that would be approximately the same size as the wooden houses.

In either case, wooden houses or recreation trailers, the number of units first authorized for the location could be limited to eight or 10, with the stipulation to those residents that they respect their use of the property. If empty cups, empty food containers and abandoned clothing items frequently littered the landscape, the tenants could be warned with the possibility that notices might be given.

If things went well, the number of dwelling units could be increased. If things did not go well over a period of time, the project could be discontinued. Both Chico and Paradise have businesses that sell recreation trailers.

Paul Smith

Chico

Require insurance

Re “Ending the carnage” (Cover story, May 3):

Why wasn’t the issue of a requirement for liability insurance for each and every weapon mentioned in the article? With proper background checks, weapon competency requirements and the remedies pointed out in the article, much could be done to limit the proliferation of weapons designed solely for killing people. Let the market set the rates for anyone who just has to own a killing machine.

David Kensinger

Paradise

Park in a flood plain

Re “Riverbend Park restoration” (Downstroke, April 12):

Riverbend Park was a mistake to begin with. I voiced my opinion while it was still in the planning stages. It was spearheaded by people who migrated here without the proper insight of what they were undertaking. I’m surprised that it went through to begin with. It was built on a very well-known and very active flood plain, so it was doomed.

Now they throw money at it time after time. What is this, the third or fourth time of total destruction? They could have built three parks in proper places that would still be there, but instead they choose to make a mistake again and again. Sure, it’s a cool park, but it has proven to be a bad investment; there is no way to ensure that it won’t get washed away again next year. When do we smarten up and say, “bad idea, let it go,” and stop flushing public funds down the river?

Pete Mathis

Oroville

Candidate shout-outs

If you want a county supervisor with integrity, who’s a trusted public servant, an Air Force veteran and family man, then look to Bob Evans. He gives back to worthy organizations such as Hooked on Fishing—Not on Drugs, Chico Noon Rotary, and most recently as president of Chico Community Scholarship Association, which awards scholarships to deserving graduating high school seniors in our community.

Bob currently serves on the Chico Planning Commission, and impresses with his preparation and knowledge of issues. Vote for Bob Evans, Butte County supervisor District 3. He will make smart, informed decisions so our tax dollars are used wisely and will help to make our county a safe place to live and work.

Ann Nielsen

Chico

I attended the League of Women Voters’ forum for Butte County supervisor candidates. Tami Ritter, candidate for District 3, stood out from all the rest, regardless of district. She was far and away the most knowledgeable, articulate and prepared. She answered all questions directly, clearly stating her position on each issue.

Voters should visit her website, ritterforsupervisor.com, for more information.

Heather Schlaff

Chico

I am writing in support of Jessica Holcolmbe for Congress. I believe that Jessica will be the strongest candidate to defeat Doug LaMalfa next November. She came from a family that was poor financially, and knows what it’s like for families to struggle making ends meet. She has experience having served as a congressional intern. She supports improved Medicare for everyone, a living wage of at least $15 per hour and free college at our public universities. She is for cutting the bloated military budget, and spending those monies on addressing our vital domestic needs including here in Chico and Butte County.

I am voting for Jessica Holcolmbe for Congress on June 5, and I recommend that all of my neighbors do the same.

Walter Ballin

Chico

All elections are important, and the June 5 primary is no exception. We in Forest Ranch feel we have a top candidate in Tami Ritter for the 3rd Supervisorial District race. She has been endorsed by our retiring supervisor, Maureen Kirk, and knows the issues of the district well.

Tami will continue Maureen’s fine work for her constituents. Other outstanding candidates on the ballot include Dianne Feinstein for U.S. senator, Gavin Newsom for governor, Dave Jones for attorney general, Fiona Ma for treasurer, Jessica Holcombe for U.S. Congress, Alex Padilla for secretary of state, Betty Yee for controller, Randall Stone for assessor, Ed Hernandez for lieutenant governor, Tom Hallinan for board of equalization, Sonia Aery for state Assembly, and Debra Lucero for District 2 supervisor. The ballot is long and complex, but the June 5 primary has big implications for us all, so do your homework and cast your vote in the coming election.

Robert Woods

Forest Ranch

America stranded

Civility and decency died in 2017. In the office of the president of the United States we are seeing on a daily basis a crass attitude toward others: foreign leaders; sitting senators; and, the rank and file of our law enforcement agencies, whose staffs have dedicated years of their lives to faithfully serving the American people.

We are witnessing a transformation of the presidency, whether fleeting or not. Our allies are treated with contempt, and commitments on behalf of the United States and its international partners are broken without any regard as to the consequences of such actions. Members of the free press are attacked in a way reminiscent of the rise of fascism, past and present. At rallies the president ridicules them, calls them the enemy of the people, says they’re low lifes, liars and any other repugnant words he can conjure up, and does so to the cheering of thousands of people. Civility and decency died in 2017.

The United States is losing its moral leadership in the eyes of the world, and we will not be better off because of it. An America First attitude could leave us stranded on an island of scorn.

Roger S. Beadle

Chico

‘What have we done?’

It could have been easier. With the supposed master of the Art of the Deal in charge, it could have been (should have been) joint negotiations and compromises, and progress on a democratic agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. All that before or during the moving of the American Embassy to Jerusalem.

Instead we witnessed Jared Kushner—he given the task of solving the world’s problems—standing and pontificating as he shared the split-screen with blood-soaked images of violence. To add insult, it was the task of Robert Jeffress and The Rev. John Hagee, both of whom refer to Judaism, Mormonism, Catholicism and Islam as religions from “the pits of hell,” to offer the eulogies. What have we done? What are we doing?

Lynn Elliott

Chico

‘Where’s the humanity?’

As I write this, it’s been 24 hours since the fake news broke the story that White House staffer Kelly Sadler said about John McCain, “It doesn’t matter, he’s dying anyway.”

I’m hearing lots of negative response to this, but nothing from Igor, oops, Donald Trump or the White House or the Republicans.

Mocking a man Like John McCain when he’s dying of brain cancer is truly despicable. Trump’s animosity goes back to when he, Igor, said, “They call McCain a hero because he was captured. I prefer people who weren’t captured.” This is from a guy who got five deferments from the draft.

John McCain spent five years as a POW in Vietnam and has lived with life-long injuries from that time. McCain has devoted his entire life to national service. A true hero. Igor Trump? Bone spurs, bankruptcies, divorces, ripping off contractors and Russia.

As I write this, Kelly Sadler still has a job. And our congressman here in District 1 and the Republican Party continue to support this creep. Where’s the humanity?

Ed Pitman

Chico

Bed-wetting POTUS

I can understand voting for Trump the first time around because it seemed like a “different energy” could make a difference, but here’s what I would ask of anyone who would ever, if given the chance, vote for Trump again: I love how he says so proudly that he “keeps his promises” when referring to his nixing of the Iran deal, but didn’t he say he’d show us his taxes if he got the nomination? I can tell you, he’s wetting his pants in fear of them being exposed. He doesn’t deserve my time or attention, much less my respect.

Lisa Bradley

Forest Ranch

Mary Jane disqualification

I have tinnitus, ringing in the ears. If you’re among the 50 million Americans who have it, you know it can be horrible. Twenty years ago when tinnitus first “struck” me, I went to see a doctor. I told him what was bothering me, and he stood up and said, “I have it too, learn to live with it,” and he walked out of the office.

With increasing sleep deprivation, I thought back to my college days. Smoking weed always put me to sleep. Shazaam! I got a medical prescription, I got some weed, I got some sleep. Now edibles have removed the smoke and the smell, and I get sleep.

Recently at the Chico farmers’ market, someone stopped me to ask if I would be interested in being a foster parent. I said yes. I filled out a form. There is a dire need for foster parents in Butte County. The form asks, do you have a prescription for marijuana? I said yes. After a few days, they called and said no. I do not qualify because of my medical prescription. So if you have an Ambien prescription you can be a foster parent, but Mary Jane, no.

George Gold

Magalia