Letters for September 8, 2011

Bounce-house backlash

Re “Gay-rights group upset over refused service” (Newslines, by Vic Cantu, Aug. 25):

Thank you for mentioning my business, Jumps for Joy, based in Corning. We have proudly served Butte, Tehama and Glenn counties for 15 years. We do not discriminate in our rentals.

I am happy that Stonewall Alliance has so much community support, but it is so unfortunate for my family business that we are being slandered, threatened and are suffering the backlash from the Colusa business Jump 4 Joy.

Karen Rinker
Corning

A question of safety

Re “Hit with the ugly stick” (From This Corner, by Robert Speer, Aug. 25):

While I strongly disagree with your opinion of the new Highway 99 project, I appreciate your interest. As you know, improvements are necessary to fix operational and safety needs of the existing facility. Aesthetics aside, the new configuration will reduce the peak-hour congestion of 7,000 vehicles per hour traveling each way between Highway 32 and East First Avenue. The project will bring the freeway to current safety standards, with minimal impact to the environment, thereby saving lives and property damage.

The suggestion of a 45-mph speed for the one-mile section of freeway is not an option. Per California Vehicle Code, Section 22349, the prima facie freeway speed limit cannot be altered. Furthermore, no realistic speed-zone survey has ever recommended a 45-mph zone on a freeway. It would not be enforced, let alone endorsed by the CHP.

Nile Ferns
Chico

Yes, lowering the speed limit would cost nothing. And how would that be done?

I don’t even try to get on the freeway heading north from Highway 32, and haven’t for more than 10 years. It’s insane—you can’t see if it’s clear to merge onto the freeway. Drivers do not stay to the left, as they’re supposed to do. If they do stay in the left lane, everyone just goes around them in the right lane. I know five people personally who have had accidents there.

Not that I agree with the new layout. But drivers here in Chico are getting to be like drivers in S.F. and L.A.—absolutely no thought to anyone’s safety, including their own.

The speed limit needs to be about 45 mph from Park Avenue clear through to Garner Lane. Maybe speed bumps are the answer?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Frances Perata
Chico

Helping the homeless

Re “A family affair” (Newslines, by Dane Stivers, Sept. 1):

Once per month I help to serve dinner at the Torres shelter with the Chico Havurah, which is one of the Jewish congregations in Chico. In 2008, when Barack Obama ran for president, I jokingly said to my fellow congregants that when Obama was president there would be no homeless people.

Although I was kidding, I certainly hoped that conditions would be better than this. I see so many more people at the shelter than when I first started doing this about five years ago. Many of the people could be given jobs with new WPA- and CCC-type programs that are desperately needed. Many could also be hired or rehired in local government positions here, if federal dollars would be sent back to local and state governments.

Walter Ballin
Chico

Thank you very much for writing such a heartwarming article about how our community helps one another. As a [Torres shelter] board member I am truly grateful for your article. It sure did hit a home run that people are hurting in our community and there are so many people working to give them hope.

Thank you so much for your kindness.

Angela Casler
Paradise

Moderation, not extremism

I attended Back to School night last Thursday, and the parents were informed of Chico Unified School District Board Policy 5030 and the Healthy Snack list. I was shocked to learn the school board intends to implement a policy by July 1, 2012, that will limit the foods sold on campus, including through fundraisers, to a district-approved list. This list does not include frozen cookie dough, See’s candy, pizza, hotdogs or sodas.

I am all for teaching nutrition and healthful living, but moderation should be our goal, not total restriction of foods deemed unhealthful. If eaten occasionally and in proper portions, any of these foods should be acceptable. Did we learn nothing from Prohibition? Forbid foods, and all we do is increase the desire for them.

Our schools are in dire need of financial support, and most have come to rely on yearly fundraisers: candy sales, frozen cookie dough, carnivals that serve pizza, barbecue sandwiches and even eScript for supermarkets. Under the approved policy, none of these activities are considered acceptable.

Safeway sells unapproved foods, Smokin’ Mo’s is not approved, neither are the Cookie Shoppe cookies or Raley’s cupcakes. Woodstock’s, Papa Murphy’s and Round Table Pizza all provide coupons as fundraisers.

This policy not only affects schools and their ability to raise funds, but it also hinders local businesses and their wish to support our local schools.

If you have concerns about this policy, I urge you to contact the members of the school board today.

Scarlet Rhoads
Chico

Democratic lies

When will the lying stop?

I received a copy of Karl Ory’s cry for more contributions sent to Chico Democrats. It is a disgraceful representation of a man who held the office of mayor of Chico almost 30 years ago. While Mr. Ory may still be living in the past, surely he knows that people with computers and Google can check out what he has written and compare it to the facts.

But let’s start with the “they are still meeting and plotting to take over the City Council.” Is that any different from what the Chico Democratic Club is doing in their monthly meetings? At least the Chico Tea Party is willing to listen to and back any person who runs based on our three principals of: 1) smaller government, 2) fiscal responsibility, and 3) free markets.

We make it very clear at every meeting that party affiliation plays no part in our deliberations. Perhaps if Mr. Ory attended a meeting rather than basing his accusations on hearsay he could mend his now-tarnished reputation.

As to the “Tea Party’s Measure A,” let me make it clear that the members of the Tea Party come from all over our area. Many had no stake in the outcome of Measure A and therefore took no part in the campaign. This was purely a city of Chico issue. It was rejected based on a very divisive campaign funded with large contributions from left-leaning Democratic political contributors and progressive City Council members who apparently forgot they were supposed to be nonpartisan elected officials.

Their position will not be forgotten come 2012.

As to Supervisor Larry Wahl’s involvement in Measure A; the FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) ruling finding no transgression speaks for itself.

Stephanie L. Taber
Chico

Shirking responsibility

I have a child in junior high. I wanted to encourage them to attend Chico Green School, but not after reading their apology in [their Aug. 25 advertisement in] the CN&R. They took no responsibility in the revoking of their charter. Not even “We didn’t try hard enough.” All the blame was on the CUSD.

In situations like this it is rare and usually glaringly obvious if it is all one-sided. I want my child to take responsibility for their part in any conflict. You set a bad example.

R. Sterling Ogden
Chico

Paul’s the man

Re “Go bold, Mr. President” (Editorial, Sept. 1):

What nonsense to think President Obama cares about jobs or Americans workers or unions. The president only cares about his job and will say anything to keep it.

The sluggish economy and high unemployment will be two of the big issues affecting this next presidential election. The only candidate running for president who is telling the truth about the economy, the wars, our failed foreign policy, and our failed domestic policy is Ron Paul.

This leader is our nation’s only hope of getting out of these wars and of getting back to sound economic solutions to our country’s bankruptcy. If we want peace and prosperity for our children and their children, we had better put a stop to this madness in our nation’s capital.

Wayne Rice
Chico

From Holland with love

Re “Twenty-five years on death row” (Cover story, by Amy Runge Gaffney, Feb. 21, 2008):

I am a women, 56 years old, married, six children, one granddaughter and three daughters-in-law and living in Holland. I am an artist, and one year ago I saw on the Internet the story of Andre Burton.

I was shocked. In Holland the law and the prisons are so different. I decided to write Andre, and I was very surprised that he answered me. My English is bad, but he understood my letter. Since that time we write each other. Every letter I send him photographs of Holland and tell things about my life, trips, work, children.

I am very shocked about the system in America and the prisons. Andre tells me he didn’t kill that person, I don’t know. But he is a human, and 25 years waiting in a cell till the moment is there…. I hope Andre will come free.

And till he comes free or dies I hope I can write him letters to give him hope and to let him know that there is somebody who thinks on him.

Marieke Lambermont
Bemmel, The Netherlands