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Readers write
March 27, 2008
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New policy, new info
In an effort to improve our downtown Truckee mail service, your new postmaster has the plan. Tow cars after closing. I would think, since parking in this lot after hours by us locals has always been allowed by previous postmasters — at least since I moved here in 1980 — there would be notice of this new policy change, and I don't mean those neglected signs that have been there for decades; new policy, new information.
And don’t blame the Truckee Police, the officer that arrived was just as shocked and in disbelief. There have been alot of cars towed; myself, it seems more like a scam. The towing company, in this case “very dependable,” will tow cars on random nights at random times, about a half of block to West River Street. Cost, on average, $280 to $400. So watch out, warn your friends, don't tell your enemies and we all can except much, much improved mail service.
Kevin Carroll
Truckee
Can you imagine?
Can you imagine that 1,000 people in Uganda die every week? North Tahoe Middle School has recently watched a movie about invisible children in Uganda. The children in Uganda have been being kidnapped by the rebels to fight in a war that has been going on for more than 20 years now. Students here at NTMS have been planning to get out to people and let them know how good it would be to help. Not only middle school is trying to help, but North Tahoe High School has been raising money to help. North Tahoe High School has recently raised about $1,200 to help Schools for Schools, which is a program where the Invisible Children Program matches up our schools with the schools in Uganda.
If you would like to get more information please go to www.invisiblechildren.com.
Silvia SanchezKati Cochran
7th graders at NTMS
Tahoe City
Penny-wise and billion-dollar foolish
Sierra College’s self-appointed malefactor, plumbed new depths of distortion in his latest monthly smear (“Questionable decisions” Sierra Sun letter to the editor March 25). This month he assaults the wage paid to one qualified senior employee. He ignores that labor costs as a percentage of the total budget at Sierra are less than statewide community college averages in favor of an apparent attempt to incite disrespect for the college.
His suggestion that trimming the operating budget and renegotiating labor agreements would overcome unmet facilities costs is palpable nonsense. Furthermore, the statement that “Trustee Bill Martin continues to urge another bond election” is untrue. I have, however, documented that the return on investment in Sierra College exceeds tax cost by several hundred per cent, and that Placer County stands alone in not supporting its community college. Every other California metropolitan county has invested about $17,000 of bonds per full time student. Our county’s corresponding commitment is exactly zero.
Consequently, our college suffers the state’s worst full-time faculty ratio in outmoded facilities largely unimproved for 50 years. This year, we denied over 4,000 enrollments in math and science courses, and less than 10 percent of those seeking nursing careers are accepted. The long-term loss of economic productivity far exceeds the tax cost while magnifying the burden on students seeking to improve their futures through education.
Starving Placer County’s community college is penny-wise and billion-dollar foolish. Correcting that should be among the county’s highest priorities when economic times improve.
Bill Martin
Sierra College Trustee
Auburn
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