Opinion

May 3, 2011 — With people going more green and a recent celebration of Earth Day, we thought now was a good time to look at what the printing industry has done to decrease its environmental footprint.

Print values trees: Most paper now comes from sustainable forests — not old-growth trees. These forests are essentially “tree farms,” where trees are grown as a crop, just like broccoli or wheat. When these trees are harvested, new stocks are planted. Print on paper gives landowners a financial incentive to renew forests rather than convert them for other uses, such as development.

April 26, 2011 — Over the course of the last couple of weeks, we have been covering a meeting that was to take place at 6 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 26, at the Post Office at 65 North Lassen St.

The meeting was to solicit community feedback on whether or not the U.S. Postal Service should close the Eagle Station Post Office on Johnstonville Road, in order to consolidate the services within Susanville.

That meeting’s been cancelled.

April 19, 2011 — Recently, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges visited the Lassen Union High School District schools of which there are three, and reported on the school’s friendliness and facilities, but it also said Lassen High School needed to focus more on state standards.

Teachers often hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the school year listing how they will follow the state standards so not only the student but also the parents know what the objectives are. From looking at some of the outlines there is not much wiggle room for spontaneous teaching that comes from daily news events. Swaying from the state curriculum could take the class off course.

April 12, 2011 — The city and the county have gone back to the drawing boards and started looking at multiple ways to get funding for big public works projects that are resonating with the community.

The city of Susanville is looking at Proposition 84 funds to try and build a brand new park and sports complex off Sierra Road, while the county is working on ways to replace the old Roosevelt Pool building with a new pool complex.