Pubdate: Sun, 04 May 2014 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2014 Chico Enterprise-Record Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Author: Loretta Ann Torres WAHL AN ALLY FOR CITIZENS AGAINST FOR-PROFIT GROWERS Andrew who? That's the question I'm asked when I knock on doors in my area to inform voters about the District 2's upcoming election. On June 3 the Board of Supervisors race between Larry Wahl and Andrew Merkel will boil down to money. Yes, I said money. Marijuana money. Money earned from huge grows in the foothills that have frightened the longtime residents there. Wahl is willing to stand up to these often threatening and aggressive growers, who want to keep their thriving businesses alive while dumping nitrates and pesticides into the creeks and soil of the foothills. Their illegal grading into the sides of mountains in the foothills has got to be seen to be believed. (Go to www.bsane.org and see.) Medical marijuana is not the issue here. No one's taking aim at the personal small grows. Anyone attending or viewing the Butte County board meetings will tell you the wild tactics of for-profit growers, the intimidations and the fear of their neighbors. Wahl stands for protecting the county from these unlawful, often violent, illegal pot growers. Know your candidates and what they stand for. Attend the League of Women Voters debate on May 14 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and find out. Get involved, attend and be an informed voter on June 3. - - Loretta Ann Torres, Chico - --- MAP posted-by: Matt