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Opinion Letters to the editor for May 28, 2010
Letters to the editor for May 28, 2010
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Support Hanvelt, Royce To the editor: There have been some letters to the editor attacking Tuolumne County supervisorial candidates Randy Hanvelt and Evan Royce, claiming they have no experience. We need new thinking and new analysis and thoughts in the management of our county affairs. Evan Royce recently had the fortitude and guts to head up the Tuolumne City Sanitary District, which has had great financial and organizational issues. In five months the board has reorganized, hired a new attorney and is now looking forward to solving its problems. It’s time for new blood and thinking, and leaders that can represent all the varied groups in our districts. We need to get rid of the political cliques that have been forming, such as Paolo Maffei, Jerry Morrow and Bob Fulcher. Let’s vote smart and elect Randy Hanvelt for District 2 and Evan Royce for District 3, who will represent all of us and come up with new solutions and plans for our county instead of mulling over all the old ideas that have not always worked. Vote smart. Vote for Randy Hanvelt and Evan Royce. Gil Fryer Tuolumne City Council seat To the editor: I have known Matt Hawkins for over two and a half years while working for his family. He is a loving husband, hands-on dad, and a fair boss. Through working with him, I have seen him in different situations with his family and my fellow employees as well as customers. Due to this, I am supporting him in his campaign for Sonora City Council. I have seen his care for his family, his interest in customers, as well as concern for employees. He is genuinely interested in balancing Sonora’s budget, as well as bettering Tuolumne County. Although he seems young to be running for a City Council seat, his enthusiasm is what Sonora needs for its morale; and he has common sense which the City Council position needs. Even with differences in opinion, he acts in a mature manner. I have no fear in expressing my opinion or joking around with him. Please consider him for the Sonora City Council. Helen Moyle Sonora Vote for Maffei To the editor: The District 2 supervisor’s race is shaping up to be some kind of comedy. Paolo Maffei has been an active citizen here for over 20 years and a reliable board member for eight years. His style on the Board has been thoughtful, conservative and fair. Randy Hanvelt, the opponent, has lived in the county for only five years and offers as his primary qualification his Christianity. I think the seat is non-partisan, and I doubt there is any box to check (in this country) for religion. Hanvelt would like to stop regulation of business, in the hope that would create jobs. By failing to properly regulate the oil and financial industries we have made a lot of expensive work, so maybe he is right (?). In these uncertain times we need experience more than drama. Please vote for Paolo Maffei. Brian Ferrell Sonora Re-elect Mele To the editor: I hope you’ll join me and vote to reelect a truly dedicated public servant, Jim Mele, as our county sheriff. Sheriff Mele has led his department during the toughest of economic times. In the past four years our county’s tax revenues have dwindled and the Sheriff’s Office budget has been cut by over $1 million. Jim responded as a leader should. He cut management expenses by over 25 percent, saved the department $180,000 by outsourcing the jail kitchen services, held dozens of town hall meetings to hear from member of the public about their concerns and how services can be improved, and has not cut one deputy position. In addition, Jim, along with other county department heads, voluntarily took a reduction in his own pay. It’s rare for any government entity to do more with less, but that is exactly what Jim and his team have done. The result of these efforts is a streamlined department with a teamwork attitude. The measure of success is that Tuolumne County crime rates have been reduced by over 15 percent. This has all been done with a humble heart and a servant’s attitude. Jim has the support of the past three county sheriffs, the past local California Highway Patrol commander, and the past two Sonora police chiefs. These are the folks who have been in Jim’s shoes and know what it takes to keep Tuolumne County safe. We have tough economic times ahead. Jim’s proven record of reducing crime while being fiscally responsible is what we need now more than ever. We are lucky to have Jim as our Sheriff — let’s vote to keep him. Mike Albrecht Sonora Sheriff’s race To the editor: I worked for the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department for 10 years. For eight of those years, I was budget and personnel services manager. The department lived through tight budget times during the 1990s and again has serious budget problems. I believe Sheriff Jim Mele and his staff have done an excellent job in meeting our citizens’ needs with minimal budgets. For the next couple of fiscal years, the county faces even worse budget conditions. I have faith that Sheriff Mele will be able to continue to meet the challenges of providing necessary services even with the fiscal climate. Regarding the Tuolumne General Hospital issue, I had this information. In the mid 1990s, it was proposed to build a new building for Tuolumne General Hospital. At that time, Sheriff Nutting toured the TGH facility as a possible site for the sheriff’s offices. He found the hospital could not be renovated to meet California Title 15 requirements for jail facilities. In addition, he found that it would be extremely expensive to remodel and the cost of maintenance would be excessive. It is an old building and would likely require meeting current building codes if any extensive remodeling is attempted. Without moving the jail, it was much too large to use for the department operations, while parking was minimal. A lack of jail beds continues to be the department’s largest challenge. TGH is not a solution. Sheriff Jim Mele is our best choice for meeting the county’s current and future law enforcement needs. Please vote to re-elect Sheriff Mele. Sylvia Divita Sonora Supervisor contest To the editor: Judy Harris is surprised at Catherine Driver’s letter? She says we should look at Paolo’s website. I agree! Look and what do you see in terms of real tangible accomplishments? Nothing! Paolo is advocating positions which are not county policy and is taking exception to real county policy in open letters on county letterhead. He should be censured. Where is any positive initiative on Paolo’s part? Why is the county better in any way? Ms. Harris has bought into the fluff, but where is the beef? It does not exist. It is time for Paolo to go! He has had his chance and failed! We need some real substance and leadership at our supervisor positions. Curt Sutton Sonora Law and Justice Center To the editor: The proposed Tuolumne County law and justice Center belongs in Fantasyland. Come on, to propose building a complex to house the courts, probation, district attorney’s office, juvenile hall, Highway Patrol office, jail and Sheriff’s Office for an estimated $253 million is ridiculous in our impoverished county. We are already at a projected $4.5 million dollar shortfall next year. Where is the money going to come from to subsidize this project? The state is in the red, the feds are printing money and our national debt is off the scale. We need to seriously study the candidates running for office in our county and vote to put those in power who will find more realistic solutions that are best for this county. There is little hope if our county can’t learn to be independent and stand on its own. We need some real thinkers with bold new ideas who are willing to speak out against the same old ways of doing things. Vote, on June 8, for candidates that show some common sense, like Tom Memmer. Timothy Doyle Sonora Hanvelt supporter To the editor: I am casting my vote for Randy Hanvelt this coming election. He has the qualifications and the drive to take on the duties of Tuolumne County’s District 2 Supervisor. When I think of Randy, I think of these words, “What can I do to help?” That is who he is. That is who he will be if elected. The people of our county will be well-served by his helpfulness and integrity. I ask you to put your trust in Randy Hanvelt. Peggy Long Sonora |
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