Opinion

Oct. 23, 2012 — The Nov. 6 election is only two weeks away, and voters will elect a number of public officials and approve or reject a number of initiatives on the ballot.

Calling each election the most important in history may be considered a bit of hyperbole and even a cliché, but in each and every election the voters make decisions that have far-reaching consequences for years to come. This upcoming election is no exception.

Local residents who are registered to vote have received information in the mail regarding the candidates and the issues. The newspaper has offered candidate statements, and a local radio station and other groups have hosted candidate debates or forums.

Oct. 23, 2012 — The Lassen County Times does not endorse candidates or issues up for election, so this piece should rightly be considered my own personal opinion. I want to make sure everyone understands that.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, voters are asked to approve Measure W, a ballot measure that will create a $28 per year tax on each inhabitable dwelling in Lassen County. Residents of the city of Susanville already pay this tax.

It’s curious to note an argument in favor of the tax is included with the election materials mailed to county voters last week, but there is no statement in opposition.

Oct. 23, 2012 — Several years ago a sitcom called “Bewitched” included a nosey neighbor named Gladys Kravitz in their lineup of characters. She was always peeking out the window at the house across the street to see what her neighbors were doing. Her snooping was obvious to Darren and Samantha Stevens, the neighbors she was watching.

A few decades ago it was easy to determine if someone was watching or stalking us. We would catch glimpses of the figure in the window or a car following our patterns of turns as we drove home late at night. With the introduction of the Internet and invention of new technology such as smart phones, it is much more difficult to detect inappropriate behavior.

Oct. 16, 2012 — Lassen County’s Board of Supervisors continues to make good on its promise to find a way to build a swimming pool for the people of Susanville and Lassen County.