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Opinion Letters to the Editor for May 27, 2010
Letters to the Editor for May 27, 2010
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Smoke and mirrors To the editor: The campaign for Tuolumne County sheriff has turned into a bit of a magic act, featuring rhetoric that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. One of the candidates continues to base his campaign on disapproval of the new law and justice center, and his proposal to move the Sheriff’s Office to the old Tuolumne General Hospital building. No matter how appealing this idea may seem to the candidate and his supporters, the bottom line is that the county has made the decision to build a new law and justice center and has detailed on numerous occasions myriad reasons why the Sheriff’s Office cannot be housed at Tuolumne General. Just because a candidate wants to move the Sheriff’s Office to TGH doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. In fact, it won’t happen. Perhaps Mr. Memmer continues to harp on this proposal to mask the fact that he can’t match the experience or qualifications of Sheriff Mele. I certainly hope the voters will recognize the importance of using their vote for a sheriff whose primary focus is the safety and security of Tuolumne County’s citizens. My research tells me that candidate is Sheriff Jim Mele. Jeanie Smith Sonora Follow the money To the editor: More than one quarter of a billion dollars is what local government officials (the Tuolumne County administrator, the county Sheriff and a number of supervisors) want to spend for a new law and justice Center. More than $4 million has already been spent from county coffers to buy land. Robbing Peter to jail Paul, it would seem, as this money had to come from someone’s pot of money. Was it the Road Department? Where is the Tea Party now that we need you at the local level? Make your voice heard by voting for Tom Memmer. And remember, you did not get a say in the law and justice center issue earlier, but you can have a voice in the upcoming June election. Vote for candidates that stand for fiscal responsibility. Don’t let the County CAO “slam” a candidate’s simple, sensible and straightforward idea of using the TGH campus for purposes of relocating law enforcement operations. For goodness sake, the railroad tracks were there when the property was used as a hospital. Currently, Tuolumne County residents are housed in the “old hospital” in the 23-hour bed Crisis Stabilization Program of Behavioral Health. What are the “seismic” consequences of this? Was that building constructed before “seismic” was a word? Have you tried to park over near the jail lately? Good luck. Prone to flooding you say? Talk to some sheriff’s deputies about the “flooding” in their offices when the jail inmates plug up the toilets. Keep in mind the line from “All the President’s Men”: Follow the money. Donn Hohengarten Sonora Right to opinion To the editor: Response to Chris Luckie’s May 24 letter, “Ethical man.” I expect whomever I vote for to use their brains. I think all opinions should be heard, and not silenced simply because they are in the minority. I respect people who stand up and state unpopular opinions. It is a healthy sign of a healthy democracy. I think Tuolumne County is better off having people not afraid to state their opinions. Further, the “Ethical Man” writer is enraged at Mr. Maffei writing an unauthorized letter. Please tell me who in county government is the official authorizer of letter writing? The writer doesn’t seem to understand that each supervisor is elected, is representing us, and is therefore entitled to use official letterhead. Paolo Maffei has done a fine job of representing his constituents. He is a very intelligent man and I am proud that he represents me with both intelligence and a high standard of ethics, whether he is in the majority or minority. He has never advocated silencing anyone, because to do so would be unethical. Marcy Davidson Sonora Positive, proactive To the editor: In response to Dave Slicton’s attempt to attack three of my friends with one letter, let’s first clarify that Jerry Morrow was named president of the Association of Planning Commissioners by his peers. He has nine years on the Tuolumne County Planning Commission and was reappointed on a motion by Supervisor Pland, seconded by Supervisor Paolo Maffei. Jerry is now Paolo’s campaign manager, and their friendship is based on mutual respect and recognition of common goals for the county. Paolo’s support from the county’s real estate agents, his positive working relationship with the timber industry and the construction industry, as well as many in the environmental community, attests to a broad base of support, free of ideology and partisanship. Paolo’s trademark in serving this county has been building consensus. This will be key to moving the county forward, re-opening the mill, creating a desirable, livable and prosperous community and essential in the upcoming “blueprint” process of long-term land use and transportation planning. Paolo’s positive and proactive approach seems in contrast with that of his opponent. John G. Waites Sonora Royce supporter To the editor: In response to Jerry Morrow’s May 20 letter. As a member of the Twain Harte Homeowners Association, I was offended by the wording that Mr. Morrow used in his letter trying to diminish our unanimous endorsement of Evan Royce for Tuolumne County’s District 3 Supervisor. The meeting was set up so that we could have an open floor to evaluate the candidates. Each candidate was greeted and treated the same. After they introduced themselves, they were each asked the same questions. Then we had a long discussion and voted with a secret ballot. It turned out that all board members were united in their choice. As to experience, sometimes years of experience and accomplishments do not equate to better leadership or decision making. In these times, we all must look at mutually cooperative ways of solving issues, and what we really need as the end product, not just years of life exposure. There are some of us who experience more in one year (and learn from it) than others do in a whole lifetime. Mr. Royce is not hindered by years of reoccurring political roadblocks and business as usual. On June 8, I will vote for Evan Royce,who has stepped up to the plate to help the Tuolumne City Sanitary District solve their financial problems and was not afraid to take on a serious situation. Whether he was appointed or elected, he is getting the job done. Juliette Cowell Twain Harte Sheriff’s race To the editor: I, like many, enjoy solid facts on which to base my voting decisions. Let’s look at a few in the sheriff’s race. Fact: TGH is a non-issue because the county has other plans for it, which will save more money than by using that facility for a new Sheriff’s Office. Jim Mele and Craig Pedro have got it right. Fact: Sheriff Mele again is correct. The Deputy Sheriffs Association did n ot endorse a candidate. To suggest otherwise is bending the truth. However, all the major former leaders in law enforcement do endorse Jim Mele. That’s another fact. Fact: I have not heard Sheriff Mele play loose with the truth, not once. He is a straight talker, and I like that. Just state the facts; no fiction. Fact: Sheriff Mele actually answers questions at forums – directly and sincerely. Fact: Sheriff’s Mele’s college education is grounded in criminal justice and he has had real law enforcement leadership experience. Not so for his opponent. Fact: Sheriff Mele has done an outstanding job as our sheriff-coroner, and has earned the right to continue to be our sheriff-coroner. Fact: My wife and I will be voting for him come June 8, and we encourage you to do the same. He’s the man for the job. Michael L. Hardin Sonora Hawkins’ response To the editor: In response to Hank Russell’s letter to the editor on May 19. Russell has denied, yet again, that City Council members are receiving city-paid health care benefits. Reviewing the recorded minutes of the July City Council meeting he referred to, nothing is stated in regards to health care for City Council members. However, according to the official City of Sonora Website, the recorded minutes of the Dec. 21, 2009 council meeting state: “The Resolution, as presented, will terminate health benefits for those non-incumbent elected officials who take office after June 30th, 2010. All existing elected officials will receive health benefits, and such benefits will continue should they seek reelection as an incumbent and are successful. Newly elected officials taking office after June 30th, 2010, would not be provided health benefits.” “Motion by Councilmember Russell, second by Mayor Pro-Tem Anderson that said Resolution No. 12-21-2009-A be approved and adopted as presented. Said Motion passed as follows: Ayes: Stearn, Anderson, Canning and Russell; No: Sheppard.” In regard to hiring two more police officers, and being sensitive with taxpayers’ money, the Measure I sales tax increase was approved by city voters under the impression that the police force number would be increased. However, that number is lower now than when the measure was first proposed. Public safety is vital to the city of Sonora and should be more of a priority than city-paid health care for part time City Council members. I have disagreed with some decisions Mr. Hank Russell has made recently, however I still respect him for the dedication he has shown to the City of Sonora. Matt Hawkins Sonora |
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