Forum: Tehachapi News

Guest Opinion: It’s Un-American to discriminate

Some friends and I were talking the other day about the upcoming election, and the conversation turned to Proposition 8. One gal said she was voting for it. She made a point of saying she didn’t care how other people lived their lives, but she was voting to keep marriage between a man and a woman.

I told her if she voted yes on Prop 8 then she did indeed care how other people lived their lives and furthermore, she was saying that she wanted a law requiring people to believe and behave the same way she did. If she hopes to pass a constitutional amendment to make sure some people do not have the same rights as others, she is obviously not as open minded as she was pretending to be.

Traditionally the constitution has been used to ensure the rights of all Americans: that we all have equality and equal opportunities under the law. Four brave judges in California have tried to uphold the law and the ideals of freedom by over-turning the so-called popular vote that seeks to keep discrimination against some Americans alive and well…and legal. I applaud those judges and ask all Californians to search their hearts and ask if they want to be a part of officially denying rights to other Americans.

(I think back to the popular vote in the mid-1800s about keeping slavery legal, and how a few notable leaders sought instead to declare all people equal and free… I think back to when only men could vote in our great country, and finally how the constitution was amended to make it legal for women to vote…I think back to “traditional marriage” when it was about unions arranged by parents or guardians for financial or social/status gain and had nothing to do with love and was, in fact, all about a man owning a woman… I think back to when it was against the law for people to marry outside their own race in our country, and how it still is to this day in other countries, and how people marry anyway because you can’t stop love no matter how it comes to you…I think back to how discrimination has been traditionally discouraged in the United States by amendments, housing bills, employments bills and so on…and I wonder why we keep trying to divide ourselves instead of trying to unite ourselves and respect each other, and why we can’t be content to live our own lives the best we can without imposing our personal beliefs on everyone else…)

If you want to throw out the ideal of freedom and opportunity for all, and if you want to set the precedent of legalizing discrimination, you’ll vote yes on 8. If you think it’s all right that gay people are harassed, beaten up and sometimes killed, then Prop 8 is right up your alley. If you think some Americans are second class citizens who don’t deserve the same rights that you have, go for it. If you think two women getting married to each other will somehow lessen the sanctity of the second or third marriage you are in, give 8 the go-ahead. If you think freedom for all shouldn’t be taught in the schools and it’s okay for gay kids to be harassed and beaten up (and sometimes killed or opt for suicide), Prop 8 will keep it legal for you to make life miserable for those kids and their parents and a lot of other people to boot.

I am in a different place than you are if you believe those things, as were, thankfully, the other friends in the discussion (I typically enjoy having friends who have open minds and good and loving hearts). I believe that Proposition 8, which would narrowly define marriage as between a man and a woman in California, is unconstitutional and un-American. Other states have decided the same thing and have no marriage limitation laws (and by the way, those states haven’t experienced any of the negative results that the scare tactics in yes-on-8 ads have suggested).

I ask you simply to remember that the United States of America was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all, and equal opportunity for all. If you believe in our country’s ideals and our past struggles to affirm those ideals, if you believe that all Americans should be equal under the law, if you believe that all Americans should be free to live and love, even if they do or believe things with which you don’t agree, you will join me in voting NO on 8.

— Mel White

All Guest Opinion pieces are unsolicited and are intended to reflect the position of the writer only.

Do You Want To Be A Hero?

I don't know any people who have super-human strength or can leap tall buildings in a single bound, but I do know people who have saved a life. My husband saved my niece's life when she was four and fell into a stream. He also saved a woman from choking outside his store. I haven't saved any human lives but me and my pet rescue friends i.e. the Stoppers have saved the lives of 60 dogs and seven cats since January and I can tell you that it feels G-R-E-A-T!

We foster pets in our homes and then adopt them out to people all over California. It took a lot of courage to become a foster. The first thing you have to do is be willing to open your home and your heart to an animal — potty-trained or not. Then you have to become the trainer, the pooper scooper and finally the person who lets go.

Everybody thinks they can't let go because they'll become so attached. We all feel that way with every animal. But if we don't let go, we can't save another animal's life and there are always others to save.

If we had more dog and cat foster homes, we could save more lives.

What's required of a foster? A good heart, good fencing and housing facilities, a willingness to train, scoop poop, bring the pet to adoption days and meet potential new families at your home or theirs.

If we had just three new fosters, we could save another 25 dogs and cats a year! That's 25 innocent lives that wouldn't be tossed into the dumpster.

It's easy to be a hero, just say yes to fostering. Call Save Tehachapi's Orphaned Pets at 823-4100. We have a pet needing to be saved.

— Chelley Kitzmiiller, Save Tehachapi’s Orphaned Pets

Grand Jury commends BVPD: Basking rights earned again

On Sept. 4, 2008, the Law and Justice Committee of the 2008-2009 Grand Jury visited the Bear Valley Police Department.

The Committee was extremely impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of all personnel the committee spoke with, including the fact that Chief Freeman has been able to take advantage of available grants by doing the grant writing in-house.

The committee would like to congratulate staff on running such a fine Police Department.

— Lawrence Walker, Chairman
Aaron Flucker, Foreman
2008-2009 Kern County Grand Jury

Walkers help transform lives, one step at a time

The Society of St. Vincent dePaul would like to thank our sponsors; McDonalds, Save Mart, Albertsons, M&M Sports and Carlos’ Donuts for their support of our 1st annual Friends of the Poor Walk on Sept. 20.

Thank you to all our participants, walkers and people who generously donated. Thank you for doing your part to help overcome poverty, to help transform lives and lighten the burden of suffering for our poor here in Tehachapi.

The members of St. Malachy Church thank all the community in this ongoing ministry to the poor in our town.

— Jerry and Carol Harwedel
St. Vincent dePaul Society

Scouts shout it out - Thanks!

Cub Scout Pack 136 and Boy Scout Troop 123 would like to sincerely thank K-Mart for the use of their parking lot Sept. 19 & 20. The generous use of their parking lot allowed Cub Scout Pack 136 and Boy Scout Troop 123 to hold their annual rummage sale to raise money for Scout awards and activities.

We would like to thank the Tehachapi Police Dept. for patrolling the area Friday night, keeping a watchful eye on our scouts and our "stuff".

We would also like to thank the community of Tehachapi for their generous donations and support of Cub Scout Pack 136 and Boy Scout Troop 123, as well as the parents of the Scouts who worked very hard to ensure the success of our Rummage
A big cheer to all!

— Cub Scout Pack 136 and Boy Scout Troop 123

A fond farewell and much deserved thanks For the past five years I have had the great pleas

For the past five years I have had the great pleasure to be the Sergeant of the Tehachapi substation. Living in the community and being able to serve it has been an experience I will never forget and has been the most rewarding of my 27 year career. It is time though for me to move on, which was the hardest decision I have had to make in my career.

I would like to thank the public for all the support they give us daily. I will miss the cookies, jams, cards and other goodies brought in for the deputies, which I had to sample. I will miss the interaction I have had with you.

To my senior deputy and deputies. You are the heroic ones who go out there every day and night. I am proud of you. Keep up the good work.

To my Citizen Service Unit, a huge Thank You for all the free hours and dedication you have given the community and me. The substation can't stand without you.
Supervisor Maben, thank you for the support you have given to the substation.
Bill Fisher, Mike Sides and the Golden Hills Community Service District board, thanks for being great landlords and the support.

Mary Beth Garrison, thank you for your energy.

Chiefs Kermode, Burris and Freeman, thank you for your professionalism and interaction with us.

There are many more, and I could keep on going. Many of you I met as the sergeant, and now consider friends. Thank you.

And as the saying goes, the best is saved for last. To Cindi and Sharon, my clerks, my friends. I couldn't have done it without you. You two are the best. I will never forget our years together.

— Sgt. Joe Giuffre

2008 Fiddlin' Down The Tracks A Success!

A great big bow of thanks goes to our generous sponsors, to our loyal businesses and individuals who donated raffle items, and to our volunteers for making this years fiddle contest the best ever! Thanks Sue Bebb, Gayel Pitchford, Russ Carlson of Southern Valley Chemical, Bob Forrester, Phyllis Belcher, Dr. Frank Komin, Dan Touchstone, Debby Hand and Mountain Music, Main Street Tehachapi, Cheryl Markiewitz, Shirley Fuller, BVS Cultural Arts, AAUW, Carden School, Viewpoint Press, TPAC, The Bennetts, Kathleen Ryan, Richard Traugh, Lee White, Del Troy, Andy Julye of J & H Automotive, Albertsons, City Slickers, Trader Bo's Western Store, Country Collections, Judy Keller of Expressions, Hemme Hay, Home Depot, Innovative Homes, Jolene Dinsmore, JJ Wood N' Stuff, Starbucks, Colleen Later, Pioneer Home Center, Postal Plus, Tehachapi Candle Co., Esther Smith, The Schoenbergs, The Jones Family, Maria Weir-Werth, Betty & Maurice Gubler, The Welch Family, The Sponslers, , B.J. Mitchell, Sharon Ellsworth, The Owens Family, Terri & Izzy Asher, Ellen Solum with Think Pink, Mary Clyde, Dorothy Morris, Katherine Zehnder, Flo Patton, Wayne Thompson, Cathy & Wayne Agnew, Luana & Joe Hunsinger, Bonnie Wilson, Melinda Morigeau, Jean Wright, Trudi Kirby, Chris Fath, Lindsey Shaw, Dee Jasper, Kathleen Wolf, Colleen Reimer, Dan & Sonja Bronson, Bob & Denise Bebb, Margy Howland, Pshyra Gardner, Faye Belknap, Myra Fletcher, Celeste Hawlesley, Joan Johnson, Jean Lind, Elaine & Pete Wiley, Hanson & Tommie Williams, and finally the Tehachapi Junior Orchestra and Boy Scout Troop 136!

— The Board of CSOTFA District #3

Less ‘basking’ won’t boost budget

Your Sept. 24 edition included a letter from a writer questioning our ongoing survey regarding future post office operations. The survey is underway and there have been a significant number of responses. One purpose of the survey is to gage the amount of public interest in the lockable boxes prior to incurring the substantial expense of placing the issue on a ballot. Hopefully, we will obtain some useful information which will be made fully available to the public.

The letter writer apparently feels that the post office revenue shortfall could be offset through more efficient use (and purchase) of district vehicles and by decreasing equipment and technology purchases within the police department. There is no doubt that all of this should be closely scrutinized. That said, some of her remarks should be addressed. The statement that the chief of police and several others are allowed to drive CSD funded cars out of Bear Valley “to where ever they want” is incorrect. There are any number of legitimate reasons for district vehicles to be out of Bear Valley for official purposes. Certain employees are authorized vehicles for commuting.

The vehicle I drive is a part of my compensation package and its purchase is a shared expense between the district and myself. The board and I recently agreed that the maximum expense to the district would be substantially less than the amount showing in the budget and cited by Ms. Mitchell. I am unable to comment on the comparative benefits of a Hummer H3 to the proposed vehicle which she cites.

Her question regarding the “alleged embezzlement” concerns the property owner's association (BVSA) — not the CSD.

She ends her letter by asking “instead of basking in “awards,” wouldn't you rather the CSD put some money back in the budget?” I'm all for more money in the budget but am unsure how less “basking” will put it there. The district has received a number of awards and I'm frankly proud of every one of them. In my opinion the board of directors and staff of the CSD have every right to be proud as well. If that includes “basking,” that's fine with me.

— John C. Yeakley, General Manager, BVS CSD

Safety and service are top priority

It is not the normal practice to respond to opinions and editorials about the Bear Valley Springs Police Department, as it is the right of anyone to voice their opinions.

A recent letter written to the Tehachapi News, asks a few questions about the department that have been some what of “a topic” as of late. The questions are all tied together by the final question, “what is rumor, or fact?” As the Information Officer for the BVSPD, it would seem appropriate to respond to her quest for facts.

No employee of the Police Department uses CSD vehicles for “what ever they want.”

Whether inside, or outside of our community, Department issued vehicles are always used in a work-related capacity. These are not personal vehicles. Occasionally, a citizen will voice their dislike for seeing Police cars outside the valley gate. Traffic violators don't always stay inside the valley and it is not uncommon to observe a violation while patrolling the District owned common area outside the gate. If there is a way to keep criminals and violators from leaving the valley, please let me know.

As to the embezzlement that has been in recent news, the ONLY involvement of the CSD is in the investigation of the crime. The victim of this crime, and the location of its occurrence, is the Bear Valley Springs Association, not the CSD.

Finally, the letter writer addresses the purchases of equipment and vehicles by the Bear Valley Police Department, calling them “toys”, and questions why a “small community” Police Department might need to be so equipped. The short answer is, thank goodness we're so fortunate.

For some time now, all major (capital) purchases made by this Department have been funded entirely by grant monies, NOT directly from the budget and pockets of the community. As recently acknowledged by the Kern County Grand Jury, our Department has worked hard to seek out and acquire grant monies, all written in-house by Department staff. Only that which is named in each grant, such as enforcement activities, equipment, or vehicles, can be funded with grant money. To use the money for any other reason would be fraudulent.

As to “why”, the answer is simple: so that the Bear Valley Police Department can provide the best service possible, keeping residents and visitors as safe as possible, as well as providing the best possible tools to ensure that, at the end of every work-day, each Officer goes home to their families. Surely, the letter writer isn't inferring that it's acceptable to compromise ALL of our safety, just because we're “small.”

I trust this response answers the letter writer’s questions.

— Sgt. David Watts, Bear Valley Police Department

Thanks, Scouts!

The American Legion Post 221 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 221 would like to say a big thank you to Girl Scout Troop 383 and Tyler from Cub Scout Troop 136 for their wonderful help at our recent District meeting Sunday, Sept. 21. Your contribution to our luncheon was wonderful. Our special guests were truly impressed with your professionalism and helpfulness.

— Dennis Ragsdale American Legion Post 221 Commander,
Harriet Clendenin American Legion Auxiliary Unit 221 President

Fundraisers improve Senior Center

The Tehachapi Senior Center would like to shout out their appreciation to the Rotary Club and Kiwanias for sponsoring a raffle that helped raise funds for some much needed improvements to our building. Thank you so much for your support and kindness.

We would also like to give thanks for Hitching Post Theaters, Fitness Zone, Dr. and Mrs. Brady, RNS Heating & Air, On The Road Auto Detailing, Tehachapi Candles, Tehachapi Quilters, Mrs. and Mrs. Donald Stephens, J.V.J Jumpers and The Art Dept., Ink for donating all the wonderful prizes.

— Joanna Berman, Senior Center Manager

Still More on Railway Noise

I agree with your recent correspondents who are in favor of trying to obtain a ban on locomotive horns in the Tehachapi area.

Other letters stated that the sound of train horns was somehow romantic and nostalgic and should be retained.

My bet is that those same residents live more than half a mile from the tracks and are not bombarded by the 150 decibel blasts at all hours of the night as are we downtown residents. They argue that we complainers have only ourselves to blame for moving into Tehachapi in the first place.

Part of the blame must fall on the local real estate industry. How many of us who moved into Tehachapi in the late building boom used an agent honest enough to disclose that train noise and exhaust pollution could be a major drawback to lthe quality of life in the city. If by chance we happened to view houses during a quiet time on the railway ,we had no idea what we were getting into in the way of noise pollution.

Previous city councils have failed to act on this problem claiming that crossing safety is more important than the general wellbeing of city residents.

Why should thousands of residents be jolted out of their slumbers by massive horn blasts at 3 a.m ,on the off chance that some traveller may be using the Green Street crossing at that time. The crossing barriers, red lights , bells and train headlights should surely be enough warning without the use of horn blasts.

Be sure to ask those persons presently running for council seats where they stand on the issue of establishing a railway QUIET ZONE in Tehachapi and vote accordingly. Remember Bakersfield did it, and so can we.

— D. Lodge

In response to a recent letter from Sam Conklin

In response to a recent letter from Sam Conklin

Does Dr. Conklin not care how dangerous these public statements are to Tehachapi Valley Health Care District? It was one thing for a volunteer worker (John Hicks) to make statements, but Dr. Conklin is president of the board of directors and, I think, is giving some lawyers great evidence of libel. He should wise up before he costs the community a huge settlement.

— Teri Kahn

Guilty of ungracious grazing?

Shame, shame on you shoppers who “graze” in stores that generously offer free food samples and don’t have the manners to say “thank you.”

One of our local markets offers chicken samples only to be thanked by people dropping the bones wherever it is convenient to them. Such as on the produce, on shelves, on the floor — heaven forbid you put them in a trash can!

I observe parents handing their children apples, bananas, bagels, donuts, etc. with no intention of paying for these items. About a month ago, I observed a nice looking, well-dressed man, accompanied by a nice looking woman with a child, pick up a food sample. He took his napkin and picked up a large peach, which he unashamedly ate over half of. At the rear of the store he put the half eaten peach and soggy napkin on top of cartons of yogurt. How disgusting! And sir, don’t be surprised if your child grows up to be a thief and a shoplifter.

Perhaps you people who give your children items to eat while shopping feel justified in your actions by increasing food prices. High food prices are the result of many factors that stores have no control over, such as increased shipping costs, labor costs, etc.

And guess what? Who do you think pays for shoplifting and theft? Duh! All consumers do!

— Inez Hollis

Local pets need emergency vets

My husband and I moved to Tehachapi in June of this year. We love it here, and had been RVing here for about four years when we decided we wanted to retire to this great hometown community.

We have dogs, and I was very surprised when a realtor friend of mine here in Tehachapi told me there are no emergency services for animals after hours.
We have a veterinarian in town, who I have a lot of faith in, but I can't understand with the number of vets in this community why they aren't providing after hours care. Each could have a night shift turn a couple times a month, and the service they would provide would be invaluable.

Last night was a nightmare for me. My Shih-Tzu, Lucy, started having an allergic reaction to something, a bite or a sting we're still not sure, but her lips and eyes started swelling, and were getting worse by the moment. We jumped in the car and drove the longest 41 miles of my life to Bakersfield to the emergency facility on Easton Drive. She received two shots, one of Steroids and the other Benadryl, and within a few minutes the swelling started going down and she wasn't the frantic dog she was an hour before.

A lot of us treat our dogs as if they are our "children" and it isn't any different with me. My children are grown and living elsewhere, and my dogs are my substitute kids and companions. I think of some of the residents of Tehachapi who may have lost their pets enroute to Bakersfield — and I could have been one of those people last night.

I don't know what it will take to convince the veterinarians of Tehachapi that they would be giving hundreds of residents peace of mind in providing emergency care, but I sincerely hope something is done in the near future to prevent hour-long midnight drives to Bakersfield with a sick pet.

— Carolyn Clemence

The Tehachapi News is glad to report that Lucy is still doing just fine.