Hear Ye, Hear Ye . . . Town Hall Meeting July 12 !

At the request of L.S. Police Chief Alves, a Citizen’s Task Force was formed a year ago to study the Chief’s suggestion for an increase in assessment dues to keep pace with Department’s increasing monetary requirements.

The study was also to consider other law enforcement options, should they become evident. The Task Force, including two retired career police officers from LAPD and the San Jose area, contributed their extensive experience to help reveal a number of startling facts.

When the completed report was presented to the Community Service District board last year in August, a stalemate on implementing the recommendations arose created by conflicting goals of the Police Chief, the CSD Board and the Task Force. Almost a year later, at the June, 2008 meeting, the CSD Board voted to place a ballot issue before the voters this fall to increase our law enforcement tax up from $ 65.00 to $ 97.00 annually.

The sole “NO” vote to this question, explained by CSD Director Carol Cupp’s letter in the most recent Lake Shastina News, sums up, “why we must have Town Hall Meetings first”. “Residents established our police department and only they should vote for future direction, not just be given a option again for higher taxes”.

To provide the facts and options to the voting residents of Lake Shastina - that possibly can improve all of our emergency services - three Town Hall meetings were scheduled, all to be held at the Lake Shastina Community Bible Church on Jackson Rd:

1. --- Saturday, July 12th. 2:00 PM, (Most important to attend because ballot measures can not be changed after August.)
2. --- Tuesday, September 16th. 2:00 PM
3. --- Thursday, October 16th. 2:00 PM

Tom Wetter of the LSCSD Board will serve as moderator. After the presentation of methodology, conclusions and recommendations by Task Force Chairperson, Mrs. Corinne Moller, Lake Shastina Chief of Police Alves will present his plans and reasons for requesting more LSPD taxes. The Under Sheriff, Mike Murphy, will also be in attendance to answer relevant questions on their resources and potential service to Lake Shastina.

After the presentations a question and answer session will follow. All designed for voters to become informed by civil discussion and facts instead of emotional rumors.

Driving Backwards Saves Gas ! !

Among the many and several advantages of aging are the frequencies of what's called Eureka Moments. I had one just this morning while backing out of the garage. "Backing" is the operative word here and I thought WOW, if this car eats gas moving forward, why might it not MAKE gas if I drive backward????

This is radical I know, but think of the implications. If your neck can stand it we could solve the entire global fuel crisis with a simple twist of the spinal cord.

And then there are the spin-off benefits: the odometer unwinds, too ! You not only generate gas (no pun intended) but you rejuvenate your car at the same time! Pretty soon the Jiffy Lubes are going to pay you to NOT come in ! ! The ramifications of this concept really boggle the mind....

Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection in Seattle

There is a brand new museum at Paine Field in Everett, WA where the Boeing factory is and I got a chance to visit with my son-in-law last week (Sally just yawned and asked for the keys to the car and the credit card. She and our daughter had a sudden shopping urge come upon them).

The operative word in the name is "Flying" because unlike most warbird displays, they actually fly these airplanes every other weekend. I didn't get to see that part as we left mid-week but if you check www.flyingheritage.com you can explore the various flying dates.

The P-51 shown is one of 15 fully functional warbirds from the U.S., Britain, Russia, Japan, and Germany. Only one, the Focke Wulf Fw 190D-13 Dora, is not flown as it is the last of its kind and just too valuable, but they fly a rotating pair of the others every other weekend so if you're going up that way give them a call (877)342-3404) because it'd be well worth it to make your visit coincide with their flying dates and times.

Admission is twelve bucks (or ten if you get carded a senior as I mistakenly was)and many of the volunteers either are veterans themselves or knew one and are very well informed. Of course if you do go be sure to go to the opposite end of Paine Field and take in Boeing's 787 factory and their museum, too!