Opinion

April 5, 2011 — For the 19th consecutive year, April has been designated Stress Awareness Month. During this 30-day period, we encourage everyone to learn about causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.

The Health Resource Network (HRN), a non-profit health education organization, sponsors a national, cooperative effort to inform people about the dangers of stress, successful coping strategies and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society.

March 22, 2011 — The more citizens are engaged with their government — whether at the local, state or federal level — the more openly, honestly and effectively that government tends to operate. That’s why each year the American Society of News Editors and the James L. Knight Foundation spearhead Sunshine Week, a national effort to promote public dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.

As we mark Sunshine Week 2011 this week, it appears a component of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget will address the chronic problem of the Legislature de-funding the Ralph M. Brown Act, making compliance with its key provisions optional for thousands of local public legislative bodies. The Brown Act is California’s open meeting law.

March 15, 2011 — The California Constitution provides all students grades 1 through 12 with the right to free and equal public education. On the surface that is the way it should be. No child should be denied a public school education because of his or her socioeconomic status, creed or race. We think the intent was clear and pure when the legislature penned the provision in the state’s Constitution.

But, as with many things the long-reaching arms of lawsuits has infiltrated the public education system and before he left office, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that a settlement was reached between the state and American Civil Liberties Union concerning fees charged by school agencies. Charging of fees to students is now a violation of the free and equal education provision.

March 8, 2011 — Lassen County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday, Feb. 22 invoking coordination status when dealing with state and especially federal agencies that administer public lands within Lassen County.

While Congress retains exclusive management power over federal lands, it requires its management designees such as the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and others to coordinate their planning and management processes with local governments that invoke agency status.