Letters for October 23, 2014

Duh, it’s the flag

Re “‘Best artistic rendering of a peyote trip’; Best of Chico Editors’ picks 2014” (Cover story, by CN&R staff, Oct. 16):

First of all, Amigos de Acapulco is obviously a Mexican restaurant, and while I’m no native of Mexico (and I’ve never been to the restaurant) I’m amazed that you folks at CN&R didn’t seem to realize what the mural is. On the Mexican coat of arms at the center of the Mexican flag is an eagle atop a cactus clutching and eating a serpent. The mural, obvious to me anyway, is the same event only a moment before.

The depiction is from an Aztec legend that said their gods told them to build a city where they spotted an eagle atop a cactus eating a serpent—it’s where Mexico City is today. With all the different people that must have been involved with putting together this edition and you even used a photo of the mural that takes up one-fourth of the page—seriously, no one caught this?

Mark Andrews
Paradise

Editor’s note: As Mr. Andrews points out, our knowledge of the Mexican flag was severely lacking. Our thanks to him for setting us straight.

‘Tail wagging the dog’

Re “WTH?” (Second & Flume, by Melissa Daugherty, Oct. 16):

Way to go on taking a rightfully hostile stance against the compensation of Chico police officers. Government institutions are immune to market forces that preclude overspending in the private sector. Accordingly, governments should ensure their salaries are comparable to those paid privately for similar work. Matching salaries paid by other governments is the tail wagging the dog. Moreover, it also wastes money and fuels inflation.

Nathan Esplanade
Corning

Soldier speaks up

Re “All or nothing” (Newslines, Howard Hardee, Oct. 9)

As a serving member of the U.S. Army, I thoroughly appreciate that Chico would like to celebrate veterans. However, unless the city truly has tens of thousands of dollars burning a hole in its collective pocket, a series of banners that will last a season or two and then tatter and fade (or will need to be replaced) is perhaps not the best way to honor veterans.

There are a large number of former military service members living in Chico, many of whom are living on modest incomes while they use their GI Bill benefits or are recovering from the aftereffects of combat operations. Offering a “veteran’s discount” to these service members and their families would help them stretch their money and provide a solid, tangible sense of appreciation from the community. Military bases are very tight-knit, and the transition to civilian life can be isolating. A gesture from Chicoans that strengthens families, helps stretch a limited budget, and deepens the connections between service members and their community, is far better thanks than banners.

David Clark
Chico

‘Times have changed’

Re “Leaving the station” (Greenways, by Howard Hardee, Oct. 16):

As director of the facility for seven years, I understand the issues concerning the Eagle Lake Field Station. In the ’70s and ’80s it had a lot of use and the students who spent the summer there not only learned a good deal of hands-on field biology and geology, but also loved the place.

With some grants and summer session courses, we mostly were self-funded. Few university programs support themselves and most programs (chemistry, geography, even philosophy) are far more expensive than the Eagle Lake Field Station. Like many university field stations across the country, though, it is “out of sight, out of mind.”

That said, times have changed. A three-hour trip to the ELFS is no longer appealing to students or faculty, vehicle expenses have risen dramatically, and liability issues loom even larger. But the bottom line is that usage of the station is less than minimal; its heyday is gone. I hope Lassen College or some other entity can assume responsibility for it as it is a wonderful facility and served Chico State well for many years.

Roger Lederer
Chico

‘Consider yourself blessed’

Re “What about the misandrists?” (Letters, by Mike Peters, Oct. 16):

Once again, Mr. Peters has completely twisted a subject that he knows very little about. I am a survivor, and if not for the aid of Catalyst may not even be alive today. Being a beneficiary of this extraordinary organization has compelled me to also be a volunteer advocate for DV victims, usually a friend calls me about a friend. I let her know the most dangerous time is if her partner finds out that she’s trying to leave. It takes a lot of courage and planning to do so. Catalyst helps to make this happen.

You cannot argue with Ms. Snyder’s comments or statistics because you have no idea, which is apparent by your comments. Of course, I haven’t a clue if you’re married, have a sister, nieces or other women in your family, but in reading both of your previous letters, it would not surprise me if they would/could not feel safe discussing abuse issues in your trust.

Please stop with the negative, misleading comments. I am not a misandrist, though I have plenty of history to be so. You’ve never been in my shoes, probably never felt the fear of living in a toxic life-threatening partnership/relationship. Consider yourself blessed.

Ani Sky
Chico

As a fellow member of the Flat Earth Society, I agree with Mr. Peters. Why feminists keep insisting the Earth is round, I don’t know.

Beau Grosscup
Cohasset

Support for the appraiser

The assessor is an elected official responsible for appraisal of all real and personal property in the county. The assessor may not exercise the powers and duties of the office unless he or she holds a valid appraiser’s certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization.

There is only one candidate with that education, experience and diligence: Diane Brown. She has been a dedicated employee with the assessor’s office for 30 years and holds an advanced appraiser’s certificate. She is not a self-promoting, ladder-climbing politician.

Instead, she is an honest, hardworking team leader who has a genuine concern for the people of Butte County and their properly assessed property values, as well as the department as a whole. The assessor’s office is a group of devoted team members with professionalism and customer service a top priority.

When I exercise my constitutional right to vote, I will not hesitate to vote for Brown. I am confident the most responsible policies and procedures for the tax-paying citizens of Butte County will be implemented with Diane Brown as the next assessor.

Lori Gabrielson Hook
Oroville

Weighing in on council race

Scott Gruendl rightfully brags of a master’s degree in public administration and 21 years in government. It’s because of these qualifications working with public budgets that Gruendl was appointed chairman of Chico’s Finance Committee in 2005; a critical “budget watchdog committee” he chaired until 2012.

And, it’s exactly because of these same qualifications that Gruendl has no excuse, nor can he be forgiven, for allowing Chico to overspend $20 million between 2007 and 2012. The multimillion-dollar fund deficits and depleted city reserves were clearly evident, even to private citizens who testified at council meetings. That’s $20 million that can never be used for police staffing, or for our parks, our library, the arts community, or nonprofits that serve our youth.

I believe this entire debacle could have been prevented. If Gruendl had just done his job as Finance Committee chair and asked staff the tough questions we expect of a budget watchdog committee, we wouldn’t be in this mess today. Unfortunately, for five years, his choice was to “just go along” with the city’s overspending plans.

Scott Gruendl is again asking for your trust. Truthfully, if this was your money Scott was appointed to safeguard, would you hire him again?

Bob Evans
Chico

Editor’s note: Mr. Evans is a former Chico City Council member.

One lesson learned over the last year, fighting for the Saturday farmers’ market, is the importance of a supportive Chico City Council. We won a historic agreement, enacting an initiative with the support of 9,200 voters, giving our beloved Saturday farmers’ market more space and for multiple six-year terms.

Councilman Mark Sorensen fought us all the way. He voted against allowing the addition of a bathroom at the market (at CCFM’s expense), against closing the north parking bay during summer harvest, and against a two-year agreement. He also voted to terminate the old agreement. And three times in secret session he tried to obtain a majority vote to sue the market to stop the initiative. If re-elected with two new allies, Sorensen will continue to fight against the market and will try to nullify the new agreement that we fought so hard for this past year.

Council candidates Lupe Arim-Law and Forough Maria Molina are pledged to support the market. They get it. And Scott Gruendl, our current mayor, voted in favor of the addition of the bathrooms, in favor of the north parking bay summer closure, and in favor of the two-year agreement. Mayor Gruendl endorsed the initiative and, along with Councilmembers Randall Stone and Tami Ritter, stopped Sorensen’s lawsuit plan. Please elect a City Council supportive of our Saturday farmers’ market.

Karl Ory
Chico

Editor’s note: Mr. Ory is a former Chico City Council member and mayor.

Ditch Doug (LaMalfa)

Heidi Hall is waging an uphill battle against incumbent Doug LaMalfa for the House of Representatives and deserves your vote. Why? LaMalfa’s family has collected millions in taxpayer subsidies from the agribusiness “farm bill.” He voted for its reauthorization, a clear conflict of interest.

Hall wants a moratorium on fracking (injecting chemical-laced water into the Earth’s crust to release natural gas) until environmental costs are assessed. LaMalfa supports continued fracking. LaMalfa thinks the U.S. should “destroy” ISIS. Although Hall supports the United States’ bombing program, she thinks we shouldn’t be the “World’s Policeman.”

Hall supports small regional water storage structures to benefit local farming. LaMalfa voted for the Sites Reservoir and supports raising Shasta Dam at taxpayer expense to benefit agribusiness interests and Southern California water districts. Hall supports upgrading and streamlining the Affordable Care Act, which has already benefited millions of Americans. LaMalfa voted to abolish it, and thinks private insurance companies should provide coverage.

LaMalfa says he supports “liberty,” such as corporate funding of politicians. Hall would vote to repeal “Citizens United.”

(View the League of Women Voters forums in Chico and Redding on YouTube for other differences.)

David Klasson
Redding

Response to letter writer

Re “All about weed” (Letters, by Larry Cooper, Oct. 16):

Mr. Larry Cooper, I’d like to address your letter. First, yes I stand for voting yes on Measure A and no on Measure B. Second, for the record, I do not own a winery. Your tirade about comparing cannabis to grapes falls flat. As a Chico State alumna, I believe in what is best for all of Butte County.

A quick look at the growers backing B, see www.chicoer.com/news/ci_26735461/no-committee-leads-contributions clarifies the point. Their exorbitant donations exceed $100,000 yet they are in debt. Wow, it’s not rocket science. Harvest season is in full force. Trafficked bud will take care of the debt. What I wrote in my letter last week is the truth. Go to www.bsane.org; the slide show of marijuana growers’ environmental carnage in Butte County documents the reality.

The growers’ continued use of laundered money to deceive voters with their TV ads, radio spots, website ad banners and billboards is exhausting. In my opinion it has imploded on itself like a honey oil lab. Commercial growers do not care about the welfare of patients or students or taxpaying parents and their children in Butte County. Vote yes on A. Vote no on B.

Nancy Roybal
Oroville

He wants the conservatives

The upcoming City Council election is probably the most important election in Chico history. The city is in devastating debt, plagued with crime, transients, gang activity, poorly maintained streets and a horribly understaffed police department. Scott Gruendl was mayor and chairman of the Finance Committee during the 2007-12 time period when the city had a $20 million deficit. Gruendl “took responsibility” for the financial problems. He now wants another four years to “fix” the problems he created.

However, recent comments make me doubt him. He recently focused on the $7.8 million debt, implying that was the only problem. Not true. The city must restore the $5 million general fund emergency reserve and money irresponsibly raided from many other city accounts. The total is $15 million.

It also ignores police department staff levels. Gruendl is playing the same “game” that created the problems. When asked why he was running, his answer was about retaining power for the council majority, not about what was best for the city. The city can’t afford another four years of Mr. Gruendl. Vote for Mark Sorensen, Reanette Fillmer and Andrew Coolidge for City Council. Any other vote is a vote for another four years of poor policies and neglect.

Thomas Hall
Chico

They like Arim-Law

Lupe Arim-Law is running for City Council and I am proud to support her. Lupe has experience in many areas that are precisely those with which our community struggles: public safety, addressing problems of homeless and transients and encouraging Chico’s business climate. She was instrumental in her Bay Area employer’s choice to relocate their business to Chico.

She is fully committed to this community, raising her family and putting down deep roots here. Lupe’s friends know that she is first of all a wife and mother of three wonderful children. Eager to guide the next generation, she teaches youth in their church and motivates them to learn how they, too, need to be engaged members of our community. She believes each of us has an important part to play and our opinion is valuable, no matter our age or circumstance.

As a leader at various meetings, Lupe has shown she is able to work with disparate ideas and goals while always aiming for consensus. Lupe will carefully study the issues and listen to all viewpoints. She is always approachable and will work with council members and the public in order to help lead the city towards its stated goals. She will look for new solutions and will courageously put them forward for the council’s discussion. We have seen how she challenges herself and tackles problems head-on. Lupe is hard working, patient, compassionate, knowledgeable, and most important of all, a great listener.

Liz Stewart
Chico

Lupe Arim-Law is the right person for the Chico City Council right now. She is conscientious, fair-minded and qualified for the position through her longterm business and community involvement. Economic development is a critical need in Chico as identified by the “Choose Chico” campaign. Arim-Law was part of the management team that chose Chico to relocate their business, FAFCO, from the Bay Area, resulting in the creation of 60 local jobs with more planned. She understands contracts and the needs of manufacturers. Arim-Law will work for a safe, vibrant Chico. Choose Lupe Arim-Law for the Chico City Council.

Mardi Worley
Chico

Support high-speed rail

Having high-speed rail would be an enormous economic benefit to the people of California. Think how nice it would be to be able to travel to Southern California quickly without having to take a plane flight—without the security checks, without the pollution involved with air travel. Currently a train and/or bus ride is an all-day affair. Nonetheless, those who have taken the train that passes through Chico at 2 a.m. know that frequently most of the seats are taken. If high-speed rail is available, people will use it.

With this current drought, Californians are beginning to understand what global warming could mean for our state. Electric rail would produce far less greenhouse gas pollution than air travel or private vehicles.

With the cost of gas rising, high-speed rail will be a huge benefit to future generations. Note that new methods of pumping oil out of the ground, such as fracking or deep-water ocean drilling, endanger either our groundwater or the ocean.

I will be voting for those candidates that support high-speed rail—vote to re-elect Gov. Brown, vote for Heidi Hall for Congress, CJ Jawahar for state Senate, and Jim Reed for state Assembly.

Sharon Fritsch
Chico

‘Atmosphere of fear and hatred’

Re “Spotlight hits downtown” (Newslines, by Meredith J. Graham, Oct. 9):

The DCBA seems to have a short memory. For the last year we have been unable to expand the police department because of the lack of funds, and now we the taxpayers are going to pay $102 an hour?! The DCBA doesn’t want a police presence, they want a lynch mob. I travel from the heart of downtown to the north end where I live, often at night when the bus no longer runs. I am elderly and wheelchair-bound. I find the police do an excellent job of serving the city.

What is “undesirable” is the atmosphere of fear and hatred being created downtown. It’s been turned into a war zone like an adolescent gang fighting over territory that’s not theirs in the first place! The plaza is a public place, not a private country club. The majority of the homeless are citizens of Chico. It is their plaza also. Time to call a truce! Allow our officers to be able to go home and spend time with their families. The Pope said something to the effect that to cure poverty you must first love the poor. You will find the same message in every single religion!

Crystal A. Mourad
Chico

About that water bond

On the ballot this November is Proposition 1, which has support from Democrats and Republicans, as well as agricultural, business and some environmental entities. Proposition 1 proposes to improve access to clean drinking water, address our water-storage needs, and protect against drought. It’s supposed to clean up polluted waterways and groundwater, and provide habitat restoration for fish and wildlife. It will ensure that business and farming interests get the water they need during droughts.

However, Proposition 1 provides no relief for our current drought. It ultimately will increase our water storage capacity by less than 2 percent. And funds for recycling, conservation and groundwater cleanup, which might have mitigated the effects of the drought, were slashed 36 percent in the final version of the bond. It will increase our debt by more than $14.4 billion. It doesn’t raise taxes, but taxpayers will be responsible for repaying the bond, plus interest.

The $2.7 billion for dams would primarily benefit corporate agribusiness, from whom we would then have to purchase water we already own. Less than 7 percent of the bond addresses access to clean drinking water. We should be addressing that issue without a bond. Please vote no on Proposition 1.

Paula Woods
Forest Ranch

Pot talk

There seems to be some confusion about the two medical marijuana measures on the Nov. 4 ballot (Measures A and B). How about some facts? 1) Measure A does not protect patient access; a limit of 2-6 plants for the 1 percent who own larger land parcels is not the intent of Prop. 215. 2) Measure B is virtually the same as Butte County’s current medical marijuana ordinance. It does not repeal any public-safety laws or allow grows near schools as opponents claim. 3) Marijuana is not the greatest environmental threat as we know it (I would go with fracking and the fact that Fukushima is still leaking).

It is discriminatory to attack people who are growing medical marijuana for destroying the environment without looking at the big picture (like the 1.1 million pounds of pesticides applied by “legitimate” Butte County farmers in 2012, or the 70,000 pounds of poison applied—mostly aerially—by the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District in 2013). Yes, we do need change in our environmental regulations, lots of change (Larry Wahl, we are waiting). In the meantime, vote no on A and yes on B on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Visit www.buttecitizens.org for more info.

Jessica Allen
Chico

What if skunk-farmers moved into rural neighborhoods, raised 99 skunks, and made life miserable? And the genetically improved “Stripey-Diapie” skunks were worth $5,000 apiece, because some people (“sniffers”) love smelling them skunks and they also have some passing medicinal benefits. Interstate trafficking in skunks takes off. Armed skunk theft occurs. Butane honey-bucket oil labs explode with a ghastly smell, leaving charred trailers. This happens all over the county.

You and hundreds of other people beg for a new ordinance to stop this, and a new one is passed. Rich skunk dealers finance a referendum to cancel the new ordinance, and finance a “voter approved” initiative to lock in the present rules that favor them. The skunk farmers and skunk-sniffers claim you are attacking their “freedom.” Some proclaim skunks will be legal someday anyway. Butte County Democrats endorse the pro-skunk initiative because students think skunks are cute and BC Dems need their votes. What a silly story! It could never happen here in enlightened Butte County.

Chris Sommers
Bangor

On Nov. 4, I will be voting no on A and yes on B. These county measures are about medical marijuana. I am in favor of responsible growth of medical pot. Recently, some voters have gotten in the mail a hit piece called “Law Enforcement Report.” This hit piece is disguised as a newspaper. It is filled with falsehoods, half-truths and myths. These folks must not know how to read, since they falsely claim that Measure B would allow medical pot grows near schools and churches. This is completely untrue. They also claim that it is easy for patients to access medicine. The authorities have shut down all dispensaries in Butte County and it is impossible to access medical pot. They further claim that they are environmentalists trying to protect the foothills. Most of these people hate environmentalists and call us terrorists. Their claims are just not true. Don’t believe their hogwash, vote no on A and yes on B on Nov. 4.

Kelly Meagher
Chico

I’m sick of this medical marijuana bullshit. I’m not sick, I like weed and I am a good person. The whole purpose of medical herb was to get the wounded and dying off the battlefield. The medical efficacy of cannabis has been clearly displayed, putting the lie to the gum mint’s claim of no accepted medical utility.

The battle main is engaged, legalization.

You want a reason that so few people believe in the government? Look no further than our existing laws regarding cannabis. Local hero Bryan Epis does five years in federal prison for what—growing a healing herb. Nonsense. Malicious nonsense.

I am a proud American veteran. You will notice this missive is not written in Vietnamese, so I guess that all worked out. I want America to live up to its promises, its dreams, of liberty and justice for all of us. And I’m sick of being picked on for my tastes. It is not liberty, and it is not just.

Jay Bergstrom
Forest Ranch

A vote for Measure A can potentially reduce the large-scale drug-dealer production of marijuana in Butte County while allowing for potentially a greater diversity of small-scale marijuana cultivation. As I understand it, Measure A will allow people living on parcels up to 1.5 acres in size an indoor grow area of 120 square feet to grow 99 marijuana plants. Measure B will limit that same grower to 6 mature plants total on a parcel of the same size. Until you live on a parcel of 40 acres or more Measure B will not allow that same number of 99 plants. This should be of interest to cannabis plant breeders, growers interested in growing a wide variety of strains of marijuana, as well as those growers who wish to grow a larger plant count without being forced to have a larger property.

Erik Trettevik
Concow

Digs on Doug

Doug LaMalfa claims he “hates to fundraise,” but don’t worry about our Congressman, wealthy donors, PACS, lobbyist, Joint Fundraising Committees and corporate entities pushing their own agendas by way of the wallet are taking good care of him. From Texas to New York he has “cash constituents.” The Center for Responsive Politics discloses the following: To join LaMalfa’s top 10 donors club you would have to contribute at least $12,000. A paltry $5,000 will put you in the top 20, but that’s more than most people in this district make in a month.

Want to give more than casinos, gambling, beer, wine, liquor and tobacco combined? Donate $100,000. To top his list of 100 donors you would have to hand over more than $200,000. Coincidentally, that’s what corporate ag gave before the passage of the farm bill. All this money is creating a “dollaracy” that threatens our democracy and generates a system of legalized bribery. If you are feeling left out, remember the beauty of our democracy is that we can fire our politicians. Unfortunately, we don’t do it often enough.

Wanda Burleson
Chico

Nov. 4 allows new direction on behalf of our Congressional district. Incumbent Doug LaMalfa’s campaign claims he’s “one of us,” but the $5 million in taxpayer subsidies for this wealthy rice farmer says differently while he votes against raising minimum wage for those struggling to just get by.

He continues to support fracking against overwhelming facts exposing the harmful threats it presents to our water and our health, both taking second place to campaign contributions by proponents who profit from this destructive practice. He supports continued water sales that last year allowed rice farmers to sell their Sacramento River allotments to southern desert agriculture for great profit, replacing that water from our aquifer at no expense except to the community and environment dependent on that water. In this drought year, when the reservoirs are at record lows, he supports further water transfers south. Doug LaMalfa consistently votes the interests of big business exploiting resources without concern for Environment or People impacted.

We can elect someone who is opposed to this type of misrepresentation and self-serving agenda, Heidi Hall, who will represent the people and fight to change monetary influence in our political system.

Vote for Heidi Hall. She is one of us.

Jimi Gomez
Chico

Rebuttal

Re Start looking within” (Letters, by Sherri Quammen, Oct. 16):

Sherri Quammen says I “missed the point.” I’m another confused victim of the male, 5,000-year, greed-driven paradigm. This helps explain my error in thinking that “consumeristic women” are complicit in creating our current social and environmental problems.

But, let’s consider one issue among many: It is primarily men that slaughter and brutalize animals, by the billions, every day. Much of the misery is greatly amplified by the profit motive; we call this “factory farming.” Additionally, the production of animal products is a first-order driver of environmental decline.

Within Quammen’s model, we can point the finger at men and say, “Look, more evidence of how brutal men are!” But, as Quammen wanders through Safeway—with the clean floors and the brightly lit displays—she might consider the possibility that consumers bear equal responsibility for the actions of producers.

Women do 70 percent of the retail purchasing in the U.S.—97 percent of women abet nightmarish animal cruelty and environmental suicide by continuing to load animal products into their shopping carts. Why? Because they “enjoy the flavor and texture” of these foods. Is this seriously attributable to male cultural dominance? At what point does Quammen stop patronizing women and recognize their responsibility for their own behavior?

Patrick Newman
Chico

More support for Diane Brown

As a 24 year employee in the assessor’s office I can assure you that Diane Brown has most certainly been a team leader for many years. She has a working knowledge of the duties of the assessor and will transition seamlessly into the role of assessor.

Brown didn’t get into the race because of a larger paycheck or prestige. She isn’t a typical politician. She is a very experienced appraiser who has worked 30 years in the office of assessor, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to perform the job of assessor.

Brown has the best interest of the taxpayers of our county in mind. She is part of the team that has spent the last six years proactively reviewing 30,000 property values and reducing nearly 23,000, due to the decline in value.

Diane Brown will ensure that the level of expertise with which we do our job is maintained and elevated where necessary. Her qualifications are indisputable. She has the support and respect of her co-workers and will continue to be a source of knowledge for the newer members of our staff. Please join me and vote for the only qualified candidate for assessor, Diane Brown.

Cathy Weitze
Oroville

Former assessor candidate Al Petersen was correct when interviewed for a March 6 CN&R story. He noted that the job of assessor is a nonpartisan service position with the sole responsibility of carrying out law, rather than crating law a policy. He implied that hose with strong political backgrounds might not be the best fir the job. He said, “You wouldn’t want to have a lot of political influence in the office because you wouldn’t want to provide services differently to different parts of the political spectrum.” He further stated that he hopes that whoever wins the face has a strong background in property values and tax laws.

In a Dec. 16, 2013, letter the Chico E-R, he envisioned “a new way to campaign, because our politics are driven too heavily by money.” “Let’s all rethink our election habits and start anew locally, choosing a path that moves away from the current ‘money equals votes’ strategy.” In both cases he was obviously referring to his former opponent and current candidate for assessor, Bill Connelly. Curious and questionable, then, is his recent endorsement of Mr. Connelly for a job for which he is unqualified. Elect Diane Brown for assessor.

John Jones
Oroville