Letters: 9/2/21

Pandemic alarm

Re “COVID surges, a self-inflicted consequence” (Editorial, Aug. 5) and “A dark cloud” (Second & Flume, by Melissa Daugherty, Aug. 5). A big “Thanks” to CN&R for its crucial editorial and its opinion column regarding the grave and self-inflicted COVID surge currently striking Butte County and other under-vaccinated regions of California. Just a week earlier, I emailed both Butte County Public Health and the Enterprise-Record expressing my concern that, while COVID infections in Butte were surging, no one seemed to be sounding the alarm. With schools opening and kids under 12 not vaccinated, I am very concerned that the surge could expand massively.

Richard Seyman
Durham

I’m thankful that the Chico Unified School District (CUSD) is attempting to keep our children and community safe by following science and requiring masks to be worn indoors. I realize it must take bravery when so many people are arguing against masking because of fallacious information they read and unscrupulous media reporting. We are all in this together, and we can work together to keep ourselves and others free from harm. Our health is our greatest wealth. The American Medical Association’s journal (JAMA) is a great resource for the freshest medical science. We are still learning about this virus and its variants. Thanks for protecting our health, CUSD.

Ann Knight
Chico

One for the gov

California has been blessed in recent years by its last two governors, both hands-on administrators. Jerry Brown provided steady leadership for eight years and Gavin Newsom for the past two-and-a-half years.

Both recognized climate change early on and took firm steps to deal with it. Newsom knew immediately the threat imposed by COVID-19 and took drastic measures to reduce the peril. It’s not by chance that California is a leader in environmental awareness. It is a result of leadership, of which Newsom has been an integral part.

Don’t be misled by the governor’s carping critics, all of whom have been part of the problems, offering no real solutions. In the upcoming recall election, mail your ballot soon after you receive it and vote a resounding no on the recall.

Robert Woods
Forest Ranch

Whose water?

There is a private entity that wishes to form the Tuscan Water District (TWD). They are a group of about 75 farms, membership by invitation only, of which the largest four will hold the majority voting power. This is due to their very undemocratic voting structure of one acre equals one vote, certain to ensure a favorable outcome for the largest landowners.

One of the four largest is Deseret Farms, a multinational and multicorporate company owned by Farmland Reserve, a Salt Lake City-based holding of the Mormon church. It is not the only farm in the proposed district with corporate ownership outside of Butte County. I’m afraid that the intentions of the TWD and corporate stakeholders will fuel the California-driven water market and lead to large scale “water banking,” a system whereby farmers can legally sell our water for profit.

We are in a drought state of emergency. Our water is our life source. The shallow aquifers are what our domestic wells and urban forest thrive on. We need to achieve and maintain groundwater sustainability in Butte County and beyond.

If allowed to be formed, the TWD would be the 10th largest water district in the state. This is an attempt to privatize a public resource and steal our water.

Paula Busch
Chico

A good story or two

I want to share some positive news about Chico—specifically about our city animal shelter, a couple of recent stories about the excellent work of the Chico Animal Shelter staff.

Max and Lucy are two dogs that were rescued from the North Complex Fire one year ago. They came from the same home, which, unfortunately, was lost in the fire. Their owners could not have dogs where they were staying and thought they would have to put their dogs up for adoption. The staff at the shelter took care of the dogs’ medical needs and found foster homes. Last week, the dogs were reunited with their owners.

Ruby, a German Shepard that preferred women and didn’t appear approachable nor adoptable, spent three years at the shelter before a home in Paradise adopted her. Most shelters would not care for a dog for that long. Some would consider a dog like that unadoptable and would euthanize her.

Want a third good story? Registration is open for the annual Walk Woof Wag event to be held Oct. 30. This is a fundraiser for the shelter’s medical fund. Bring your dog to this fun family event at Bidwell Park and help support our shelter. More info at walkwoofwag.com

Karen Holcomb
Chico