Letters for November 17, 2005

Corrections: In Nov. 3 Snackbox we misidentified the person to whom the bench/sculpture was dedicated as Chico podiatrist Calvin C. Layland. The sculpture is actually dedicated to his father, Calvin H. Layland, M.D. In addition, the sculpture of the man is not a likeness of either of the Laylands. We apologize for any discomfort this may have caused his family. Also, in the sidebar, Veteran Services and Organizations in the Nov. 10 cover package, the correct phone number for the Chico Veterans Center is 899-8549 not the one listed.

Real troop support
VECTORS, Veterans Executive Committee to Organize Rehabilative Services, a non-profit organization run mostly by volunteers held a successful fund-raiser this past Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. Many thanks go out to local legends Spark ‘n’ Cinder, Rep. Wally Herger, Roger Montalbano and Duffy’s Tavern, Don Kidd and Mr. Copy, Butte Creek Brewing Co., Guzzetti’s Catering, Bob Trausch and the Chico Peace and Justice Center, Steve O’Bryan and Pullins Cyclery, Attorney Mike Bush, Bill Carter, Kelly Meagher, Tom Haithcock, Cathryn Riley-Cavazos, and Paul O’Rourke-Babb and KZFR Community Radio. These are people and organizations that “Support Our Troops.”

I debated with myself whether or not to include the following but decided I must. In organizing this event over the last couple of months I discovered what it would take financially to produce. With VECTORS’ permission I contacted several prominent members of our community and asked for donations to help “Support our Troops.” Much to my dismay we were informed that VECTORS “doesn’t fall into our parameters for charitable giving,” ignored completely and by one righteous veteran given the Ebeneezer Scrooge speech from Christmas Carol. “Are there no workhouses and prisons?” It’s not too late. VECTORS can always use your help and you can still mail a check to VECTORS, P.O. Box 85808, Chico, 95927 or drop by and meet a vet at 252 East First St.

Ed Pitman
Chico

Auto salute
Marking on our American flag is desecration. Flying our flag, be it small or large, is patriotism [“Desecration row,” Inside View, Nov. 3]. The flag at Wittmeier Auto Center is flown for patriotism and suggesting to the contrary are unfair and unfounded.

Newspaper ads attract customers and I do believe that the CN&R reaps some benefit from printing Wittmeier ads. Further, unless you know for certain, it is not right to speculate that Wittmeier would have a huge sign vs. a flag were it not for a city ordinance limiting sign height. You do a disservice to the family and the dealership personnel with such a comment.

A flag does not sell cars and trucks, good people do and good people work at Wittmeier!

B.T. Chapman
Chico

Flagging response
Wittmeier Auto may be the “Best place to buy a car” ["Best of Chico,” Nov. 3], but be warned—don’t take it there for repair. I took my 1993 Mustang to Wittmeier for its 45,000-mile service. I had no known problems with the automobile. The Wittmeier service mechanic recommended a “Wynns Transmission Flush,” which I authorized. Soon after, on Highway 99 the car would not shift between 45 and 60 mph. I took it back to Wittmeier and complained.

A different service person questioned my having the work performed stating that it sometimes does more harm than good. That did not make me happy. They said a mechanic could take a look for approximately $95—which was later waived.

Two hours later the service person advised me that third gear was shot but it had nothing to do with the service that was performed. Wittmeier, he said, had done “everything right.” I was given two alternatives: Replace the transmission for $1,780 or rebuild the transmission for the same cost.

I took the vehicle to Sierra Automatic Transmission, which agreed to look at it for free. They found a broken plastic bushing that they replaced with a bronze one so I wouldn’t have that problem again. They said that it was very obvious what was wrong. It cost me $40.23 and I got a recommendation to a local shop. Perhaps instead of a “Best place to buy a car” there should be a listing for “Best place to have your car repaired.” Anybody can sell you one if the price is right.

Stephanie L. Taber
Chico

Not OK
I am so disgusted with the centerfold article and pictures and I hope I am only one of hundreds who let you know that this is not OK. In looking for the Web site address, I came across the “Our Mission” statement: “To have a positive impact on our communities and to make them better places to live.” I think you could not be more misguided. How crude, rude and, of course, controversial. But really! I used to be so proud of our weekly.

Maria Martin
Received via e-mail

Winds of change
On Nov. 9 I woke up to a feeling that I have not experienced in a long time—I was happy after an election day. In fact, I was again hopeful. Hopeful that the winds of change are coming and believing once again that if you provide people with accurate, real information, they will make good choices. I was also grateful to all of the people who helped this to happen. I thought particularly of the women at Women’s Health Specialist’s (Feminist Women’s Health Center) who worked so hard to provide information about the real effects of Proposition 73. Their tireless efforts paid off with the defeat of this harmful initiative.

I also thought of the people who campaigned and voted for this initiative. If their true intent was to be informed of what is going on with their kids and not restricting access to abortion, perhaps some good could come from this issue being brought to the forefront. Real communication between parents and their teenagers may have been initiated. That maybe these parents sat down with their kids and had the difficult conversations. We don’t need a government mandate to begin this dialogue, it should be happening anyway.

Cathie Roach
Chico

Why dildos?
You know I am a Chico News and Review supporter, advertiser and reader. And I’m not a prude. But evidently you need to be reminded that the CN&R is available to one and all, and therefore should be appropriate for all ages. I was reading as I ate my lunch with my 8-year-old daughter at my side. I was not speedy enough to block her view of the amazing array of dildos on pages 22 and 23 [“Dildos 101,” Backbeat, Nov. 10]. And then I had a lot of uncomfortable explaining to do.

I am willing to expose my children to topics and ideas that may be beyond their years when there is a compelling political, social or health-related value in doing so. But pictures of dildos? I’m left wondering not only “how do I explain this?” but also “why do I have to?” I hate to think that all over Chico this week, uncomfortable parents are having to discuss dildos with their horrified children. I’m guessing you’ll want to remind me of the all of the good things about dildos, and believe me, I don’t need to be reminded. But I still can’t think of a compelling journalistic reason to expose all of Chico to this article.

Heather Lyon
Chico