Letters to the Editor 01-18-12

More local debate on renewable energy issue

Linda Gommel (in a letter published in the Jan. 11 Leader) states that “... the green energy push to be based on the fraudulent theory... as global warming”, and that “American people are being manipulated and controlled with guilt in the name of doing good to the environment ...”

First of all if Ms. Gommel wants to bury her head in the sand and not look at pictures of receding glaciers, and smaller ice caps, that’s her choice. However, calling those who actually see these pictures and believe in global warming socialists is wrong, and she should be ashamed of herself.

Her real issue should be whether global warming is manmade or a naturally occurring phenomenon, not whether or not it is happening.

Second, I have been a supporter of solar energy for 30 years, long before global warming was an issue and the reason is not because of “guilt over the environment.” It is because I don’t like American dollars going to oil rich nations that support terrorists.

Ms. Gommel further states “...oil and natural gas are both abundant and inexpensive...” She is both right and wrong. Even if we “Drill Baby, Drill” in Alaska, in the Gulf, and off the California coast, we would still be dependent on foreign oil. The oil would help but not eliminate our need for oil.

As far as natural gas, yes America does have a plentiful supply, but even that is getting hard to acquire. In some areas they are doing a technique called fracturing, or fracking. This has led to natural gas and methane leaking into people’s water supply. There are videos of people turning on the faucet and lighting the water “on fire”. Actually the methane gas comes out of the faucet with the water, and that’s what lights up. So, do we want clean drinking water or natural gas?

Finally the one thing that Ms. Gommel didn’t mention was that someday oil will run out. As we approach that time, oil will get more and more expensive. Is that when Ms. Gommel will support solar energy? Maybe she would rather have a nuclear power plant located on the property between the market and the park.

Myself, I would rather pay more for solar energy if that money stays in the United States of America, rather than have cheaper energy in the form of oil, with my money going to foreign countries who support terrorists.

Larry Mayer
Lucerne Valley

Local resident protests fire fee

Beginning in 2012, property owners in State (fire) Responsibility Areas (SRA) will be billed $150 per habitable structure. This area extends from Highways 18 and 247 south to the San Bernardino National Forest boundary.

If we already pay taxes to the county for fire protection, which most of us do, we will get a measly $35 discount and pay $115 per structure, instead of $150!

Habitable structures contain bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, and can be single family homes, apartments, mobile homes, manufactured homes, and condominiums. What about motor homes, RV, and travel trailers? A property owner might have to pay up to $600 per year.

Even though the vegetation south of Highways 18 and 247 is no more fire-prone than that to the north, the bureaucrats in Sacramento found this to be a convenient boundary line for the new SRA tax. If we allow this theft of more of our dwindling money, we should at least insist that the SRA boundary be moved south of the lands where the County Fire Department, funded by our tax dollars, already provides protection.

State politicians and bureaucrats probably believe we can’t stop them and voters in cities where the bulk of the voters reside won’t care as this law won’t cost them anything.

I believe our overspending state is using this as a new income source to enable more overspending on groups that continue to reelect the same politicians that approve the same overspending.

To read the text of this new law, go to www.bof.fire.ca..gov, and select SRA Fee Emergency Regulation Pre-OAL Submission Notice Jan. 5, 2012. Please object using one of these methods:

Mail: OAL Reference Attorney
300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1250
Sacramento, CA 95814

Fax: (916) 323-6826

E-mail: staff@oal.ca.gov or Board.public.comments@fire.ca.gov

Bill Lembright
Lucerne Valley

To have a letter considered for publication, email it to editor@lucernevalleyleader.com or mail it to The Leader, P.O. Box 299, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356. You must include your name and phone number so we can contact you with any questions about your submission (your phone number will not be published). Also include you city/town of residence. Anonymous submissions are not accepted.