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Democrats need to work together Dear Editor, As “Tsumani Tuesday” approaches, I have these thoughts on the major candidates. First, Republican frontrunners John McCain and Mitt Romney seem determined to follow in the footsteps of the worst president in American history, George W. Bush. They mistakenly believe that American soldiers can win the civil war in Iraq, and they are comfortable with domestic policies that make the rich richer and the poor poorer. I fail to understand how voters could pursue these values and this form of patriotism. At the same time, Democratic frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are mudslinging like children in a playground. They should be joining the other Democratic candidates in presenting a united front of racial equality, gender equality, helping the underclass, and reaching out to all of America in a tone of graceful purpose. Regardless of who wins the nomination, Democrats need to show that they can work together, as well as with Republicans, or their time in office will be ineffective. Stuart Rawlings, Clipper Gap
* * * Measure H will bring 14,000 cars to Rocklin roadways, according to EIR Dear Editor, A Rocklin City Councilman recently maligned the Save Clover Valley’s
“NO on H” campaign. He claimed that the Final Environmental Impact
Report (FEIR) does not conclude that 14,100 cars will be dumped into
Rocklin streets. Apparently, he missed page 3.2-14 of that FEIR: “Park
Drive would be expected to carry approximately 9,000 additional
vehicles per day north and 5,100 additional vehicles daily south.” The
sum, 14,100 additional vehicles, is just one true, compelling reason to
vote “NO on H.” This misinformed elected official further disparaged the “NO on H”
campaign by erroneously stating the new cross-valley highway is two
lanes only. Again, we respectfully refer him to the very FEIR he
certified, page 3.2-16, “However, the grading and right-of-way width
could physically accommodate a 4-lane facility, all trees within the
full-graded width of a 4-lane facility would be removed.” He also asked voters not to be fooled. He’s right about there being a
“daddy of deception,” but it’s he, developers, and the casino tribe who
are perpetrating it. The yes folks cannot be trusted. The “NO on H”
campaign warned voters about misleading yes tactics. Stop deception by
voting no on Measure H. Randall Cleveland, Rocklin * * * Nature has value, too Dear Editor, With the possible development of the Baltimore Ravine area, everyone
should be concerned about the environmental and social impacts of the
project. Within the bounds of the site, we have historic landmarks,
scenic locations, potential recreation amenities and a host of
naturally renewable resources including plants and animals. Other
values also exist such as natural water storage and purification, flood
control, dispersal of atmospheric pollution, and more. Collectively,
these are social values and they are long-term values. Development
would take these values from us in perpetuity, and in the end, every
human being and every living thing loses. Prudence would tell us we must assess and assign a social value to the
site. We also need a comparative cost analysis to evaluate the cost of
development as weighted against the potential environmental impact.
Aligned with this is a quality of life issue, which is difficult to
define and value, but it is part of the equation. We could ask endless questions, and here is one: Should trees have
standing? What would the American Society of Appraisers say to that? I
submit a professional appraiser, and yes, an arborist too, would convey
a surprising answer. Let’s ask for valuations regarding the social
value of trees, plants, animals, viewscapes, historic sites,
hydrographic amenities, soil values and more before we have gone too
far down the road. Bart Ruud, Auburn
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