Fawn Morris will be remembered for efforts in behalf of county fair
We were saddened to learn of the recent death of Fawn Morris, who served on the Board of Directors of the Del Norte County Fair from 1992 to 2001. For almost a decade, she contributed hard work and her special upbeat style improving what she always called “the best little fair in the state of California.” During her tenure as a director she served on the public relations committee of the board and her duties included decorating the fair according to each year’s theme.
Fawn’s philosophy was that she would never sell something she didn’t believe in. Fortunately for Del Norte County, she believed in the fair and she sold it relentlessly as one of its biggest advocates. Even after stepping down from the board and despite failing health in recent years, she made an effort to come to the fair whenever possible. At last year’s fair, she was there to enjoy the excitement with all of us and her wit and intelligence and enthusiasm were as bright as ever.
Fawn made contributions and had accomplishments in many other aspects of our lives here in Del Norte County, but we are especially grateful for the time she gave us at the fair. We will miss her deeply, but we take comfort in knowing that she will live on in honored memory every year as her “best little fair” comes to life.
Darin Bradbury, John Tynes, Robert Cochran, Arman Gunnerson, Kevin Hartwick, Kara Miller, Karen Phillips, Ernest Silva, Richard Taylor,
41st District Agricultural Association Board of Directors
Republican plan for Medicare threatens millions of seniors
I very recently received the following information from Congressman
Mike Thompson because I was concerned about our cuts in benefits and
doctors’ cuts, etc.
Some may know that on April 5, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul
Ryan released a budget plan for the fiscal year of 2012. Chairman Ryan’s
proposed budget cuts would privatize Medicare, forcing seniors into the
private health insurance market to shop for coverage with a government
voucher.
His plan slashes some of the critical investments and programs that
are most important to the Americans. It would also mandate a block grant
of federal Medicaid spending and severely undercutting California and
other states. The Republican Study Commission, a group of 175 House
Republican members, has proposed cutting benefits for everyone who is
under the age of 60 starting in 2014. If the Ryan budget were to be
enacted, the promise of a secure health coverage and retirement to
millions of seniors would be undermined.
Now for a much sadder outcome. This misguided fiscal plan passed by
votes of 253-193 and without a single Democratic vote. I believe that
the pressure to make things harder than what they are for mostly the
elderly and those in need came down from our president, who now plans to
campaign for re-election.
I was fooled once, but I won’t be fooled again. I live on Social
Security, I can’t afford an increase in my secondary. We haven’t had an
increase in our Social Security in a few years but our representatives
have had at least three increases since our last one. Please think about
your next election.
Rita Moore
Crescent City
System may have let Gregory down, but don’t blame the DA
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Robert Gregory. I am
so sorry that you have suffered such painful loss. I share the dismay of
Austin Uhlmansiek (“Disheartened and ashamed by decision not to retry
Bradshaw,” May 4) and those who love Mr. Gregory; not because I think
the efforts of our district attorney or his office were lacking, but
because the processes of our system of justice remain imperfect.
Sadly, even when the justice system works to perfection, there is no
“closure,” or adequate compensation, or even sufficient retribution.
However, Mr. Uhlmansiek’s misuse of District Attorney Jon Alexander’s
honest acknowledgment of a former dependency, to insinuate that he has
suffered “long-term mental effects”; that this, somehow, influenced Ms.
Micks’ performance in the courtroom, or what must have been a very
difficult decision not to retry the Bradshaw case, while castigating the
voters of Del Norte, goes a bridge too far.
It appears that DA Alexander and his office put forth the best
prosecutorial efforts any DA could provide; and that they arrived at the
decision not to retry the case only after careful deliberation of all
relevant facts. DA Alexander is intelligent, knowledgeable, dedicated,
and honorable. I know that he is committed to protecting our community
and upholding the law to the fullest extent possible.
He has been a true advocate for the most vulnerable, both officially
and as a member of our community. He is renewing a functional
relationship with law enforcement, so crucial for the administration of
justice and successful prosecutions.
Our community continues to bear the burden of his failed predecessor.
I appreciate DA Alexander’s honesty and transparency. Those who
encounter him can have no question about his competence and
determination to perform his official duties.
I think we are fortunate to have Jon Alexander as our district
attorney and I am glad Del Norte County voters had the good sense to
usher the law in “north of the Klamath,” imperfect as it may sometimes
be.
Susan Botts
Klamath
Government relies on contractors in shell game impoverishing state
Have you found the organization called California Foundation for
Fiscal Responsibility? It’s not easy. However, it is a group of people
who’d like to remove some retirement benefits from state employees,
along with union bargaining rights.
Fiscal responsibility starts at home, by cutting perks of elective
officials (did you know our taxpayer dollars pay for their cars?) and
overpaid contractors that bleed the state dry while not allowing state
employees to do the job.
While the State has a “hard freeze”on hiring, departments are
allowed to hire contractors (at a much higher wage than state employees)
to do the work. It is a big shell game, moving funds from one place to
another to justify the high prices paid to contractors.
State money should not be used for a) housing of public officials b)
transportation allowances for the same and c) hiring contractors when
state staff can, and do, perform the work.
I’d like to see the research that says state staff make salaries
similar to those at large private-sector employers as I personally took a
60 percent pay cut to work for the state.
“Why did she do that?” you ask. Because I want to serve and I care
about this state and its future. The state depends on tax revenues to
make all our futures better.
Joanna Hawley-Jones
Crescent City
Return football to what it once was before it became a business
Bring back the game. The sport of football used to be 11 against 11.
It is fun and a challenge and the quarterback called his own plays and
only one coach was on the sideline.
Now, sadly, it has become a business, how to split billions of
dollars among owners and players.
Since living is a business, let’s keep the game the way it was and
have some fun doing it.
Randy Shull
Crescent City
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Opinion 
