Letters for March 1, 2018

Un-Mooseworthy behavior

Re “Fraternal disorder” by John Flynn (News, February 22):

Wow—SN&R nailed it with this one. I was at the meeting where members demanded financial transparency, and Carl said we could not talk about it, according to Moose rules. He also used profanity, yelled, acted out of order, crumpled paper. And Carl supported this behavior as Mooseworthy. BTW, a live rat ran through the meeting, causing everyone to laugh that after raising $55,000 they had $0 to show for it for repairs. Where does the money go? Can anyone answer the question? Were investigative reporters able? Was the ousted governed able? There is none according to the tax documents. Where is it?

Troy Steven

Folsom

Selfless service and leadership

Re “Fraternal disorder” by John Flynn (News, February 22):

As a LOTM [Loyal Order of The Moose] member since 1989, early on I was encouraged not to run for leadership because I was a brown Latino and Native. Perhaps things have changed related to implicit and institutionalized racism since then. The Redding Lodge—once known nationally for having the unique distinction for having the longest bar in the USA—had to close its operations and joined last year with the Anderson Lodge, 10 miles to the south. However, I believe that operational transparency and encouraging younger, thoughtful membership—and challenging leadership—should be higher priorities. While I have never felt comfortable running for leadership positions in a nearly 90 percent hyper-conservative Caucasian community, I still believe that being selfless in serving our public and our fellows should come from the top down. This article should be an important step in opening dialogue and due process rather than the opposite. Good service is an attractant. Bad service is aversive. This is good and brave reporting by Mr. John Flynn, and publishing by SN&R! (Gosh, I sure hope I am not expelled for my heartfelt First Amendment expressions herein… I so love being a good servant to my public & fellows!)

Alan Ernesto Phillips

Redding

Sleep in the park, not on bus benches

Re “Classic Transit” by Michael Mott (Beats, February 22):

I would ask: What about compassion for the handicapped user or poor retail worker who just spent eight-plus hours on their feet? These benches are meant for those people, not for someone to crash out on. We have park benches for that.

Erik

Sacramento

Dying homeless deserve compassion

Re “A home before death” by John Flynn (News, February 15):

This is a wonderful thing. And a perfect solution to my boyfriend’s homelessness and life-ending traumatic brain injury. Maybe my homelessness as well. I am his caretaker and promised to be there for him till the end. We have two friendly, loyal dogs we couldn’t bear to be without. I could volunteer eight hours a day of my time doing anything from cleaning, to secretary, to arts and crafts. Wonderful thing you are doing. Please do consider couples; no one wants to be alone.

Stacy Terrell

Sacramento