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CHP should be concerned about locals during road closures Dear Editor, Sierra storms bring in broken limbs, broken power lines and broken “assurances.” Again, Applegate is blessed with the honor of hosting traveling communities as a haven for freeway closures. Again, we are privileged to accommodate idling diesel trucks, littering skiers and recreation seekers believing they should be allowed to pass to the winter wonderland, as if immune to the invisible “I-80 closed” signs they were sure to see along their route. CalTrans, California Highway Patrol and various county/state agencies add insult to injury to locals who have accepted this role and strive to accommodate the invasive inconveniences associated with traffic controls and un-regulated parking. My simple requests last year to the WACMAC (Weimar-Applegate-Colfax Municipal Advisory Council) and CHP to enforce the Air Pollution Ordinance and allow unrestricted passage to the locals across the Applegate overpass have fallen on deaf ears. CHP Capt. Rick Ward’s officers made my pregnant daughter go 6 miles out of her way to reach her destination that was only 1/4 mile away, “on the other side” of the barrier. Last year you assured me this was not CHP policy and your officers, by your instructions, were to be sensitive to locals and their families. Should she have parked and walked to avoid wasting fuel? Bruce Kranz, your staff assured me they were working on implementation of the Air Pollution Ordinance, at least in Applegate. Perhaps it’s time the county gives a report to your Applegate constituents (along with the diesel fume inhaling children at Acres of Hope) regarding its progress. Yes, I am irritated, and most certainly will hold my breath while keeping my speed at 64 mph or less. Gary G. Mapa, Applegate
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Pristine Clover Valley could be saved by housing slump Dear Editor, Clover
Valley will likely be saved from development ... by default. According
to the latest report from the Associated Press, new home sales have
dropped to the lowest level in 12 years. It’s even worse than most
analysts expected, more grim than most of the experts thought. According
to the economists, the housing market is in a free fall. It’s going to
crash, and the effect is intensifying. Then there was the recent front
page story in The Sacramento Bee, “Lincoln’s boom fades out.” Many
neighborhoods in Lincoln are marked with “for sale” signs, kind of
turning these areas into little “ghost towns.” These groups of vacant
houses attract drug dealers and prostitutes, a most unwelcome
byproduct. There’s a sense that an era has passed in Lincoln. But, I
didn’t need a story in The Bee to know all this. I’ve lived in
Lincoln for about 18 months, and several months ago, the noises of
construction were replaced by silence. Given all this up-to-date
information, can anyone explain how it makes any sense to build even
more houses in Clover Valley? Rick Massie’s window of opportunity has
been shut, most likely for good. Then there’s the new “Yes on H”
sign across from the post office. Rick Massie has gone from threatening
and intimidating the citizens of Rocklin to insulting their
intelligence. Finally, ask yourself this question. If the developers
can revert to the original larger plan after a majority “no” vote on
the referendum, then why are they fighting so hard against “no” votes
on Measure H? Think about it. Jack Schwab, Lincoln
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