Pubdate: Sun, 26 Apr 2015
Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Chico Enterprise-Record
Contact:  http://www.chicoer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861
Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority
Author: Chris Sommers

FREEDOMS RESTORED BY PASSAGE OF MEASURE A

This is in response to Andrew Merkel's letter Tuesday headlined 
"Freedoms being taken by our government," specifically regarding Measure A.

Contrary to Merkel's assertions, many normal, law-abiding citizens 
are finally having their freedoms restored, not curtailed. These 
include: freedom from nuisance (smells, traffic, vicious dogs, shady 
characters); freedom from fear and danger (armed guards, home 
invasions, exploding butane honey oil labs); and freedom to enjoy 
peace and quiet in the country.

And guess what - many of us are very grateful that the county 
government is protecting us from "terrorists," i.e. scofflaw 
pot-profiteers, who snuck their illegal activities into our 
communities inside a trojan horse, named "Prop 215." Compared to the 
last two years, I am already seeing a notable reduction in seasonal 
vehicular traffic and shady out-of-towners here to make a fast illegal buck.

Word on the street is, many are moving out now that Measure A passed 
and code enforcement is cracking down. Criminal operations are being 
busted as a side benefit. Former grower properties are suddenly for 
sale. You can even find "215-friendly" properties advertised on 
Craigslist, complete with generator and water tank (but no PG&E or septic).

Because of this turnabout, I and many others are no longer 
contemplating leaving Butte County for safer venues. Thank you 
supervisors, thank you Butte County Sheriff's Office, thank you code 
enforcement, thank you district attorney, and thank you voters.

- - Chris Sommers, Bangor
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom