Opinion

March 22, 2011 — The more citizens are engaged with their government — whether at the local, state or federal level — the more openly, honestly and effectively that government tends to operate. That’s why each year the American Society of News Editors and the James L. Knight Foundation spearhead Sunshine Week, a national effort to promote public dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.

As we mark Sunshine Week 2011 this week, it appears a component of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget will address the chronic problem of the Legislature de-funding the Ralph M. Brown Act, making compliance with its key provisions optional for thousands of local public legislative bodies. The Brown Act is California’s open meeting law.

March 15, 2011 — The California Constitution provides all students grades 1 through 12 with the right to free and equal public education. On the surface that is the way it should be. No child should be denied a public school education because of his or her socioeconomic status, creed or race. We think the intent was clear and pure when the legislature penned the provision in the state’s Constitution.

But, as with many things the long-reaching arms of lawsuits has infiltrated the public education system and before he left office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that a settlement was reached between the state and American Civil Liberties Union concerning fees charged by school agencies. Charging of fees to students is now a violation of the free and equal education provision.

March 8, 2011 — Lassen County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday, Feb. 22 invoking coordination status when dealing with state and especially federal agencies that administer public lands within Lassen County.

While Congress retains exclusive management power over federal lands, it requires its management designees such as the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and others to coordinate their planning and management processes with local governments that invoke agency status.

March 1, 2011 — Let’s slow down and face a terrible reality for a couple of minutes. We live in a stressful, quick-paced world, and some of us just drive too darned fast, even here in rural Lassen County.

Sure, we know better, especially when we’re driving through residential neighborhoods such as Janesville when kids and animals are present or along Johnstonville Road where big trucks and business traffic pose a constant hazard.