Hello everyone,
First, I wish to thank all the Sierra Valley folks for their participation on May 1st 2019 event in welcoming the new CEO of the Eastern Plumas County Health Care System. The turnout was overwhelming and from all over the valley and Portola. Secondly I wish to thank the Board of Directors of the ESVCC for their unwavering service to all those in attendance, WELL DONE!
Michael H. Welbourn
President/Board Director ESVCC
With two back to back wet winters, Fire season will be very active again this year. With the snow pack we have, it will not stop it. Wildfires have already begun. PLEASE start now!! The weather is beautiful and a perfect time to get out and start preparing your properties defensible space. Clear the grounds around your property, Clean your gutters. Do not have wood stacked against your home. If you need help? Post at your local community posting boards. The best way to help protect our communities from tragic fires is to take responsibilities for our own areas. Get your burn permits and even if you have a permit you must check daily if burning is allowed ( 530-994-3561) Check the batteries in your smoke detectors. If you have any questions on how you can better help yourself and your surroundings just ask!!
Cheri Sposito
Calpine Improvement Association President
Sierra County Fire Protection - Dispatch Coordination
Dear Editor,
Many people don't realize the consequences of putting off needed vehicle maintenance. Not only can neglecting vehicle service cause safety issues if ignored, but it can lead to costly repairs down the road. With nearly 80 percent of vehicles needing service, a new part and/or repair, chances are your vehicle could use some extra attention.
The non-profit Car Care Council suggests you stop stalling and start following a vehicle service schedule, keep a free copy of the council's Car Care Guide in the glovebox and perform the following common routine maintenance procedures to keep your vehicle running at its best.
Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.
Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.
Check the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.
Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety reasons, such as defrosting.
Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.
Be sure to fully inspect your vehicle annually, including performing a tune-up and wheel alignment. If you suspect there is a problem, don't stall and address it quickly before minor repairs become more complicated, expensive repairs.
Sincerely,
Rich White, Executive Director, Car Care Council
Greetings.
On World Press Freedom Day, May 3rd, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists stands in solidarity with journalists across the globe, particularly those who risk their safety to tell the stories the public needs to know.
Targeting of journalists happens here in the United States as well. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 11 journalists have been killed in this country since 1992; four were killed in 2018 alone. Eight were outrightly targeted because of their work.
On World Press Freedom Day, in addition to freedom of speech and expression, we reaffirm our commitment to two more freedoms:
FREEDOM FROM FEAR - No journalist should fear for their safety or worry about reprisals for reporting the truth or expressing an evidence-based opinion. Being contrarian is a hallmark of opinion journalism and we stand with those columnists who dare to test new propositions in their writing.
FREEDOM FROM WANT - Journalists should be paid fairly for their labor and for the risks they take. We particularly support columnists and opinion writers whose craft is undervalued while news outlets jettison entire opinion departments or lay off so many columnists that the department's future is uncertain.
We understand that some of the public has grown skeptical of journalism and we will continue to work to maintain public trust in our profession, laboring under the belief that a free press is more about the public's right to know the truth than it is about our right to tell it.
Chandra Bozelko
Vice President, National Society of Newspaper Columnists
Nationally syndicated columnist at Creators Syndicate
