Letters to the Editor
Want new local bowling alley
Editor,
Yesterday we returned from our 120 mile round trip from Lancaster where we bowl every Monday in a league. There are lots of Tehachapians who bowl and would love to have a bowling alley here again. We really need an alley more than another small shopping center. I know whomever builds one will make money because we'll all come. We are really starved for recreation here on the mountain.
Please, someone, anyone, build us a bowling alley. With gas prices going up and up, we need you. Please give it a lot of thought.
Linda Drake
Press release misleading
Editor,
The press release by CDD BLM, “BLM reopens Pacific Crest Trail damaged by Canyon Fire,” published in the Jan. 17 edition of the Tehachapi News is misleading and needs immediate clarification.
The article states that burned signs along the PCT were replaced so that visitors can be guided to the correct trail alignment due to numerous OHV trails that cross the trail throughout the affected area.
The sentence should have read due to numerous illegal OHV trails.
There are no legal off-road riding trails in the Tehachapi Mountains.
In a recent OHMVR Commission meeting, BLM's OHV Coordinator Jim Keeler stated officially that all BLM parcels south of Highway 58 in the greater Tehachapi area are designated closed to off road vehicles.
Lawless dirt bikers continue to evade law enforcement officers, and destroy the PCT in Kern County, which is designated for hikers and equestrians. The unintentional mis-wording of BLM's press release gives the false impression that these user-created off-road trails are legal.
Kern County boasts thousands of miles of legal riding opportunities, yet rogue riders from out of the county, as well as a few local residents, continue to flout the laws. BLM's erratum adds fuel to the fire.
Mesonika Piecuch
‘Fly by nighters’ at hospital
Editor,
I would like to thank Michelle M. Vance for the letter to the editor concerning Tehachapi Hospital in the Jan. 17 edition of the Tehachapi News.
I have thought of doing the same, so here goes:
First off, thank God that I have medical insurance down in Lancaster. There have been a few times I have taken someone to Tehachapi Hospital, each time this person has seen three different doctors. They all are fairly young, and don't really take the time to listen to this person, my "this person" is hard of hearing, like me.
The nursing staff are great, but when it comes to seeing the doctor(s),
well that's another matter. They are short with their words, short in spending their time with this person, they don't listen to questions, bottom line, they are rude.
The good Lord gave to them the knowledge they have and I personally know its years of medical school. Solomon, he had the wisdom of which we have in different degrees, these doctors lack the wisdom to understand the concerns of the elderly, the poor, the confused and those hurting.
Yes I pray that if we ever get a new hospital that it would be maned by full time doctors and nurses who have compassion and wisdom, and not "fly by nighters.”
John Gonzales
First Amendment refresher
Editor,
Being the only former City Council member who attends the meetings regularly, I assume the recent letter to the editor from Leslie Lawson refers to me. He called into question my attendance and speaking at our City Council meetings, and questioning our officials on their decisions. That, sir, is my right as a citizen under our First Amendment.
Freedom of speech, particularly political speech as originally intended by our founders, is one of our most sacred rights. An often-quoted phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,” certainly should describe the principle of freedom of speech, but I often find that many people are more of the opinion, “I disapprove of what you say, so sit down and shut up.”
Perhaps I offend those with more delicate sensibilities, but I won’t sit down and shut up. I will exercise my right to speak up when I think public policy is wrong or that our decision makers are wrong. In fact, we need more people standing up and speaking. Are you willing to do so Mr. Lawson?
Yes, I can and did do a better job in office, Mr. Lawson. I was instrumental in breaking up rampant nepotism after I was elected. And, if I had my way, our City Manager would answer to the City Council as is proper and not the other way around.
So, no, I won’t sit down and shut up, and that is my right.
Stan Beckham
