Opinion

June 11, 2013 — My passion for journalism developed in the eighth grade. I always found it odd that I found my supposed calling so early in my life, yet I cannot recall why I initially fell in love with the field. But, now, as a recent college graduate and a reporter for The Lassen County Times, I am eager and a little nervous to begin my new life.

As I embark on my first journey as a reporter, and let’s face it, my first journey as an adult, I look forward to meeting, studying and writing about the community in which I have just recently made my home.

June 11, 2013 — I realize I’m jumping right between the shooters and their targets with a bullseye on my back by writing this piece, but I can’t remain silent any longer.

Everybody knows the very best way to conduct a political campaign against incumbents is to hurl all the criticism you can muster at those in power you seek to replace. I mean, who knows how much of the muck will stick? Just keep piling it up over a period of time, and eventually some people will begin to believe there must be something to all of it, and hopefully that belief will morph into outrage and support at the polls.

June 11, 2013 — “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

That’s what the late Apple Computer founder Steve Jobs said during his famous commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. His advice was offered to people crossing one of life’s major thresholds, but his words could apply to any of us … all the time.

Last week schools of many levels all across Lassen County celebrated the achievements of their students with graduation ceremonies. Readers can find a number of photographs of the celebrations in the pages of this week’s issue of the Lassen County Times.

June 4, 2013 — The end of the long and winding road in the effort to recall Lassen County District 5 Supervisor Jack Hanson is finally in sight. We don’t know who will run against the tveteran supervisor in a special election held this fall — perhaps as early as Sept. 10 — and we don’t know which candidate will collect the most votes from the district’s voters, but we do know an election will be held and this matter will finally be resolved once and for all.

When the recall effort was first announced, Hanson characterized it as an effort to intimidate him and influence his votes on the board.

In fact, to some the recall effort is but one leg of an unsuccessful effort by a group of dissatisfied county residents to take over the Lassen County Board of Supervisors. For example, Tom Stone, the former county administrative officer, cites his wife’s political activism and her involvement with the Tea Party as one of the reasons for his firing in his $1 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the county.