Watching out for the people

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Vol. II No. 1 Monday, June 9, 2008 Paul Pitino Needs A Hug Candidate thanks supporters for standing up to the local political machine Letters to the Editor Thanks to all who voted for me in this past election, and those who wanted to but were out of the district. Your vote, love and support showed strength, loyalty and courage to face the local political machine. Change takes time, and the ability to look fear in the face and remain steadfast. I am inspired by your insight and guts. Please forgive and be compassionate to the rest of our community. When you see me, give me a hug and identify yourself. I love you. Paul Pitino Arcata City Councilmember Arcata Eureka's Budget Is Under Water The biggest reason is the $1,500,000 year over year increase in wages and benefits to Eureka Police Department, Eureka Fire Department, and unionized Eureka City Employees. The unrepresented workers haven’t been juiced yet, and sadly time and events may have passed them by. They will actually be asked to give back some things. There is a year over year shortfall of $350,000.00 from cratering sales tax revenue, $350,000 less than last year taken in. Dave Tyson thinks that despite lower revenue from sales tax in the last two quarters that his projections (and thus budget) are based on the assumption that sales tax revenue will not decline. Maybe he knows something we don’t.  But if he’s wrong that means the city’s budget will be up to a million dollars in the red, before even the recent raises are added in.   You should have come to the Finance Advisory Board meeting last night. I was the only member of the public or press there (as far as I could determine). It was fascinating. Grover Norquist, that right wing republican freak who wants to drown government in his bathtub would be proud. The rest of us who live here in Eureka maybe not so much. Why do I say that? Because everyone in the room knows that taxes are going to have to go up in some way or another, but they are still in denial. Bill Holmes (highboldtage.wordpress.com) Eureka These Souls Are Here To Stay Easter was a pretty good day, especially for the city’s homeless. A really special lady whose name is Betty put on a free Easter dinner at St. Vincent de Paul’s and benefited the many who otherwise would not have eaten. I would like to recognize her generosity and congratulate her on a job well done. It’s people like her, unlike the county and city managers, who actually care about others and go completely out of their way to make those less fortunate souls feel as if they do matter in our lives. The city and county managers could learn a lesson from these folks, and that’s to at least act like they care about the homeless. These souls are here to stay. It doesn’t matter if they are the same people every day or some just arrived here from somewhere else. We are a nation of the “rich” and self-indulgent. We care only about “me” and not how to “solve” the problems of today’s hard times. Times are going to get harder, and the harder they get ,the more we’re going to need people like Betty. The nation’s economy is slowly collapsing, and so will the means to provide for the less fortunate. It would behoove the “powers that be” to prepare for economic hard times in the event of a total collapse of our economic system. For when people get hungry, they get worried and upset and are prone to all kinds unpredictable behavior. Thanks, Betty. Dinner was great … James Stratton Eureka Ron Paul Versus TV Zombies I’ve been volunteering for the Ron Paul presidential campaign going door-to-door, spreading the word of Ron Paul. I have became very concerned that we are TV zombies. In response to my campaigning, people often screamed “Hillary rules” or “Obama rules.” What’s scary is that when I asked these people why they chose to vote for Obama or Hillary, I often got the media-inspired answer, “she’s a woman” or “he’s black”. I’m not for these two because of their ideals and their proven politics — not because of discrimination. I learn about this and delve deeper into the truth behind their claims before I vote. Apparently, the same can’t be said about a majority of Americans. How much longer can we slip into this media-generated, downward spiral of political naivety and stupidity? The following truths may surprise you, despite what you have heard on the Rupert Murdoch and Hillary news shows you have been watching lately. Hillary is an admitted socialist and is pro-Iraq War. Rupert is in the campaign bed with Hillary with $4 million-plus donated to her cause. Barack backed a bill for warrantless wiretapping! Wow, what freedom fighters! Start thinking for yourselves! Let’s bring this country back to its glory that our forefathers envisioned and that our modern-day Thomas Jefferson, Ron Paul wants to help bring back. Like Ron Paul, I believe in a country where I have the freedom to write this letter. Chris Holmquist Eureka Did You Know How Wonderful Iraq Is? How could we know? Did you know that 47 countries' have reestablished their embassies in Iraq? Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people? Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq? Did you know that Iraq 's higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating? Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program? Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational ? They have 5 - 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment. Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers? Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando Battalion? Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers? Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over 3500 new officers each 8 weeks? Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq ? They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical facilities. Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?   Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid October? Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and phone use has gone up 158%? Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations? Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004? Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently? Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing snowballs at the presidential motorcades. tragically, the lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves unfortunate purposes: 1. It is intended to undermine the world's perception of the United States thus minimizing consequent support from our allies, and: 2. It is intended to discourage American citizens and erode their support for the war. 3. It is intended to help the politicians gain more power in the next elections. Colleen Hedrick Eureka   Comments

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