Opinion
Editorials
Health Care Reform: The Cure Shouldn’t be Worse Than the Problem
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
More of this storyAt least be honest
More of this story
Valley Voices - Rick Larson, Kern River Ranger District Ranger
Recently I have read articles in the news and received letters from our Forest visitors regarding extraordinary dedication and hard work of Forest Service personnel. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to hear such positive feedback regarding my employees.
More of this story
Community Voices: Two Views on Health Care Reform
Chad Whiteley and Bob Walker
More of this story
Letters
> Submit a letter to the editor
Nut cases behind no fish stocking ruling
I have been coming to the Valley for the past 45 years and have owned a home in Kernville. Recently having to sell that home but still coming to the Valley, I am so disappointed in the brain child/children who decided to end the stocking of trout in the river. After visiting this past week and talking to a number of business owners, it is scary to think that someone has the control over so many people and all because their thinking is that planted trout are harming the native fish population. My question is how was it decided that after so many, many, many years of stocking trout, planted trout are all of sudden “bad” for the river. Give me a break. How can I, as a former Valley resident get involved in getting rid of this irrational thinking. I did sign petitions while on my last visit. Valley residents, you had better take control of your situation and not let some outside nut cases dictate to you what they want and what will eventually hurt your businesses.
More of this storyOn Saturday, Aug. 15, just like third Saturday of every month, a group drove around the area collecting food to be distributed to The Food Pantry, God’s Storehouse, and The Salvation Army. This was the eleventh monthly Compassion Caravan – collecting about a dozen pickup trucks of food over the eleven months! Thanks to Brian Polston and all the compassionate members of the Family Life Center in Wofford Heights for all that food! Thanks, also, to the compassionate persons who used the collection barrels at the Southlake Sierra Gateway Market and Mt. Mesa Market and the collection container at Vons. A special thanks to Lucian Whitman of Kern River Novelty for all those clothes and shoes! To all the compassionate people in the KR Valley who are donating to all the care giving organizations – thanks! Let’s hear from you – tell us what you’re doing – share your compassion!

More of this story
Discrimination can’t end soon enough
Americans should applaud President Obama for signaling his intent to repeal the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act.
More of this storyYou saw my house when you rode by on your horse, the last time to get your cows. I have an idea, why don’t you ride on your horse and build a fence to keep your cows in and out of my yard. Or maybe if you don’t mind your cows missing, myself and all of Alta Sierra will have ground beef. This is getting old. I am the lady that had the pretty flowers. Also, the least you could do is take the patties with you! Clown.
More of this storyI would not like to see the sixth grade Camp KEEP trip be taken away. As a seventh grade class we all agree that it was a fun learning experience that is hands on and exciting.
More of this story
Fire crews go above and beyond
We want to thank Capt. Trammell and Jim Phillips and Crew 87 for the great clean up of the neighbors’ property. Although he (the neighbor) doesn’t live here full time, the rest of the neighborhood does.
More of this storyMy name is Patrick Grooms at Wallace Middle School. I wanted to talk to the school district, cause there’s a rumor going around, that next year the sixth grader’s won’t be able to go to Camp KEEP!
More of this storyAs a retired teacher, I was pleased to see the front page highlight the start of the new school year. The introduction of the new high school teachers was also a real plus. But I must respond to the comment of the new teacher in the special education department. I hope I misunderstood his comment as the reason for his career choice. Teaching is not a “kick-back” job in any stretch of the imagination, and especially the teacher in the special education classroom. Special needs students deserve the best, the brightest, the most motivating, and most energetic of teacher. It is the teacher’s role to motivate as well as educate these so deserving students. The learning challenges before the special needs students requires a teacher who is a model for education, ambition and motivation, not a teacher looking for an easy or “kick-back” job.
More of this story
Fringe groups sound like majority
Re: Debate remains civil, informative, 8/26/09Your statement on one persons very valid concern about care for the elderly, which over 50 percent of people have the same concern, was distorted with you slamming her with, She played the card of a fringe group!
More of this storyI’d like to share, and possibly help my neighbors whose residential water source is a private well. As I’m sure you know, repairs can be quite costly when something goes wrong. According to wellowners.org and many other water and well information Internet sites, part of your well’s yearly maintenance is a procedure called “shock chlorination.” This yearly maintenance is done to eliminate the bacteria in your well, pump residue build-up, and disinfect the storage tank, hot water heater and pipes. My feelings toward chlorine are, “It is a toxic dangerous liquid” and not environmentally friendly!
More of this storyAt the “public” town hall meeting sponsored by Congressman McCarthy, asking his pastor to offer a Christian prayer in that public meeting in a public facility illustrated McCarthy’s intolerance of persons holding views contrary to his – has he no understanding that we live in a multicultural society where there are persons who believe other than the Christian faith or who believe in no religion at all? Weren’t the “founding fathers” (no mothers) very concerned about avoiding a theocracy? Also, how ironic to ask for God’s guidance when McCarthy has decided against any public option – which option might actually help thousands of persons in Kern County who have NO health insurance or the 50 million plus U.S. citizens without health coverage or the thousands of families who have suffered bankruptcy because of health care costs. At least one of those citizens was in the town hall audience! Does a patriot turn his back on fellow citizens in need? It appears at least one self-proclaimed patriot does! If multitudes of your fellow citizens are in need are you going to say, “It costs too much” or are you going to say, “We’ll figure out a way to pay for it?”
More of this story
Service dogs are clean
Re: Who let the dogs out? Letters, 8/26/09Service dogs come in all sizes. They are used for people who can’t hear, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizers, panic attacks, big dogs for the blind, anxiety, and other medical problems. If you are in the market or other place where you are pushing a cart, you do NOT want to lead a lil dog on a leash where people can trip over them, push a cart on them or have kids run up to them when they are working and are not to be bothered by anyone. Putting them in a seat babies sit in with poopy diapers give me the creeps, not for the baby but for the dog. The store owners/managers almost 100 percent of the time check with the owner of the dog to find out if it is a service dog. It is not the business of “Joe the Shopper” to ask but go for it. Unless forgotten at home the owner has their vest and ID with them. The vest for lil dogs don’t fit well so some owners have their vests on the purse handle. Also, I’ve seen some service dogs sitting on a towel or a piece of material in the carts seat, to keep “them” germ free!
More of this storyWith all the craziness surrounding the health care debate, there is a simple answer to many of the problems that afflict many people. This formula is economically, environmentally and socially responsible. It responds equally to democrat and republican, liberal and conservative, male and female. It has no bias toward any race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation, economic or social standing. If this formula could be bottled, it would be declared a “miracle drug” that helps prevent heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, depression, obesity related illness etc. And it would save whatever health care system we have billions of dollars.
More of this story
Lack of fairness at healthcare debate
I am not personally offended that you recently categorized me by name as “the fringe element.” However, I am deeply concerned that you believe this to be true and that you expect your readers to agree with you. This shows a lack of understanding of, and an alienation of, a large percentage of the public. But of more concern to me, is the lack of fairness that was represented at the town hall meeting.
More of this storyThe campgrounds may not be full but just drive up river and you will find where they all went, huge groups are spread out every where and it is all free. Why not lower the charge for camp sites and get them filled. Some don’t have a water supply good enough to have campers, get it fixed. Some good sites are never open—Why?
More of this story
Animal Control takes killing lightly
I wanted to share mine and my family’s experience with this valley’s animal control. On Aug.17 I came home from work and thought my 15-year-old cat was getting into a cat fight. I walked outside to find her being tossed around by a huge brown pit bull. I tried to scare the dog away and eventually it let go. My poor suffering cat crawled under my car and slowly died. I immediately called the animal control and the first operated asked me, “Well I don’t know what you want me to do?” They finally sent animal control out even though I didn’t once see them drive down my street. My daughter got home and called once again to see if they had found the dog. They simply said no and that they couldn’t really do anything else. The thing we have trouble understanding is why this matter was taken so lightly. My cat could have been a toddler being walked down the street or even a small dog. We don’t appreciate being treated how we were. Our cat had been in our family for 15 years and now we don’t have her anymore because of a loose dog. Me, my family and our neighbors think that animal control should put a little more effort into helping us out. Don’t we pay their salary?
More of this story
Forest Service personnel appreciated
I recently took a trip with my son to Troy Meadow campground when I encountered automobile trouble. I would like to thank the Forestry personal especially Jim Yearwood, Kyle Villia, Glenn Villnueva, and Scott Russel for all of their help. Thanks to them I was able to camp three nights before AAA towed me home. Can’t say enough about the folks that work for the United States Forest Service. Being a local I sure do appreciate them and everything they do. Keep up the good work and have a safe year.
More of this story
Take down yard sale signs, already
My husband and I look forward to our usual Saturday morning drive to No-Got’s Swap Meet and garage/estate/yard sales. We head down the hill from one side of the lake to the other, hit No -Got’s first, we meet the usual vendors give a hi, check out what’s going on and then prepare for our trek around the valley to hit all the “sales.” Many, MANY times we have made the effort to follow signs that have been left from weeks before. Why can’t these signs be removed after your garage/estate/yard sales? How often have you had a yard sale and had a stranger pull up in front of your house a week or weeks later to ask “Where is the yard sale?” If the signs were taken down this wouldn’t happen, Duh! How is a person to know the difference between an old sign and a new sign? I am sure we are not the only ones frustrated by this.
More of this storyAs I move on with my postal career, I will be promoted to postmaster of Lake Isabella effective Aug. 29, 2009, I would be remiss by not recognizing the community, employees and customers of the Weldon Post Office. I want to thank each and every one of them for the support they have given me during the past nine years. When I became postmaster no one informed me that I would see good friends move away and go to better places in the heavens, nor was I told that I would see children become young adults. I have been blessed to start my postal management career in a wonderful community. I look forward to serving the community of Lake Isabella, having new special pictorial stamp cancellations and watching the children grow up on this end of the valley. I encourage all former customers to stop by and say hello and look forward to meeting the new ones I haven’t met as yet. My door is open and I will do everything I can within postal regulations to provide the best service to the community. I would also add that I have left the Weldon Post Office in the very capable hands of Amee Smith, the current Officer In Charge, and wish her well in her endeavor to begin her career in postal management.
More of this storyThis letter may offend some of you, but I'm appalled at the way people think they can bring their animals into the local stores in the Valley where I shop. At a local grocery store the other day, as I was standing in the checkout line, I noticed a small dog in the area where small children sit, purses, or vegetables; among other items where people put their stuff in the front of the cart. I realize you love your dog, but please think before you do. Others like clean carts! I'm not against having dogs or animals in any way, owning two dogs myself. It doesn’t give me the right to take my dogs into a place of business that sells food that someone else will be eating.
More of this story
Support for a neighbor in need
Kern Valley Southern California Edison employees are asking the community for support in a local fundraiser to help fellow employee and local resident Gary Sunderland, a meter reader at the Kernville service center. He was also the president for the PTC at South Fork School and an avid parent volunteer.
More of this story
Heroes work to keep Erskine Creek Road clean
I took a walk on Erskine Creek Road a while ago and saw a huge tumbleweed growing across the sidewalk. Then I noticed a man and woman resting on the curb near it with garden tools. I assumed they were soliciting for work at the Senior Apartments. It’s tough times. I couldn’t blame them.
More of this story
Discovering the Kern River Valley
I discovered the Farmer’s Market at the Nuui Cunni Center several months ago and enjoy frequenting the market almost every Saturday morning. The people are friendly and fun to talk to. While the selection is not always plentiful, it is a pleasure to buy freshly-grown organic produce. There are several tables of handicrafts, also, which are fun to look at. Two weeks ago we met a woman who handcrafts necklaces, anklets and bracelets by stringing beautiful stones. She also had a multitude of hand-finished hats.
More of this story
McCarthy not biting the hands that feeds him
I think I’ve found the issue regarding the constant evasive tactics and misinformation from Congressman McCarthy in reference to health care. Kevin McCarthy has taken the following campaign donations: $130,019 from Insurance; $94,916 from Health Professionals; $74,250 from Pharmaceuticals/Health Products; $18,500 from Hospitals/Nursing Homes.
More of this storyOn Monday, Aug. 31, we were watching a serious smoke cloud over the hill from our home. We received a call from the CHP advising us of a possible evacuation. We packed our meds and important papers in our truck and waited. The call never came because the finest firefighters in the state, possibly the world, knocked the fire out, preventing the evacuation or worse. We would like to say to these heroes the same thing we say to the military when we come into contact with them. Thank you for your service and we pray for your safety and success. Thank you!
More of this story
Columns
Are we doing anything important today?
Sandra Hughes
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
More of this story
I attend many meetings around our valley and in doing so many times I hear the same speakers. Often the speaker’s program is the same but usually I still pick up something I missed the first time around. Over the years I have been present for many presentations by our local Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council. Although the basic principals are the same, I always come away with new information and amazement at the accomplishments of the Fire Safe Council members; each presentation is for me a new experience.
More of this storyClear moonless nights in August are the best nights to see for yourself how our Solar System is oriented within our Milky Way Galaxy. On many summer evenings every year I look above our southern horizon and stand in awe. The quote that always comes to mind is one credited to Einstein, “The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible.”
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
More of this storySandra Hughes
More of this story
Barrie Mann
More of this story
Ducks victorious 12 years running
Marsha Smith
More of this storyMarilyn Benoit
More of this storySusan Barr
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this story
On Women's Equality Dayâ€- Are We There Yet?
Linda Meric
More of this story
Rubber Ducks in training for race day
If you think the valley’s been invaded by ducks because of that continuous quacking, relax. It is only 1,000 rubber ducks undergoing strenuous training for the 22nd annual Rubber Duck Races on Saturday, Aug. 29. The Kern Valley Exchange Club sponsors the event, with the proceeds benefiting the organization’s local scholarship program and other youth-based activities. The event is a fun-filled day in Riverside Park in Kernville with lots of activities for kids. Folks come from all over to spend the day in the park and watch the races. To many, duck racing is seriously fun as attested by the cheering crowd lining the shore at the finish line.
More of this storyMarsha Smith
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this storySandra Hughes
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this story
