Placer County Supervisor Gore is 'wrong'

In response to Bonnie Gore's editorial of Aug. 22 ("Keep Placer County's voice; stop governor's power grab"), I assert that she's a Republican mouthpiece who's ignoring the great danger Donald Trump is to our democracy. She puts forward the novel and absurd claim that the Texas Legislature had no choice but to follow Trump's order to create five more Republican districts because of violations of the Voting Rights Act. She says California's effort to temporarily offset the Texas five-vote gain is not protecting democracy. She's wrong. Furthermore, she'd have us believe Kevin Kiley is doing many things to help Placer County, ignoring the fact Mr. Kiley is following the MAGA line and doing whatever Trump wants, even when it hurts his constituents. Mr. Kiley's support of Trump does nothing to help our democracy – in fact, it leads us to authoritarianism and fascism. Kiley voted for the Big Beautiful Bill so that many people in Placer County will lose their health insurance and SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Is he proud of that? I notice Bonnie Gore doesn't list it as one of Mr. Kiley's accomplishments. Gore and Kiley support the unbelievable antics of Trump's unqualified appointees. Does Kiley support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to stop research on mRNA vaccine when it was the only reason we got an effective Covid vaccine as quickly as we did? The list can go on and on because Trump has put people who are slavishly devoted to him in positions of power throughout our government. This is fascism, and if not corrected soon, we'll lose the democracy we have. Tom Cluster Lincoln Take a stand against gerrymandering Taxation without representation is alive and well in the state of California for all who do not consider themselves a Democrat. This, however, has not always been the case in Placer County. As I read our beloved local newspaper, I am seeing numerous writers spewing hate because of a difference of political opinion. Our family represents seven generations that have lived in Placer County. We will not be chased off of our family property, or out of our county by a government that does not hold the same values that we hold. We are a hard-working family with a heritage that represents one of the first-ever constables of Placer County. We have owned land throughout the county and have owned and operated orchards. We worked at the Loomis packing shed when it was an actual fruit packing shed. We are a kind, God-fearing, patriotic, supportive family who are blessed enough to live in an absolutely beautiful location. Many are moving here because of the people, because of the land, and that is perfectly OK. But please don't move into our area and immediately hate us because of who we are, who we've always been. We are suffering through the highest taxation in the country and we currently have very little representation. Having our local leaders represent us is a good thing. I don't care what's happening in any other state, I have been proud that California has an independent redistricting commission. This MUST stand, no matter who the governor is or who the president is. It's time for the silent majority to stand up against this ridiculous gerrymandering idea. It's time to speak out against further taxation without representation. Nancie Goodnough Auburn Pointing at the wrong party In an Aug. 22 editorial ("Keep Placer County's voice; stop governor's power grab"), Placer County Supervisor Bonnie Gore wrote in reference to California potentially redistricting in response to the actions in Texas, "But the facts don't support that comparison. In Texas, a federal court found that certain districts may have violated the Voting Rights Act, which triggered a legal process under Texas law." The supervisor left out a couple of salient points that do support the comparison. First, Texas did likely violate the Voting Rights Act, but the new redistricting did nothing to rectify the violation. In reality, the newly drawn Texas districts only exacerbate the problem. Second and more importantly, Texas has redrawn the districts at the behest of and to placate President Donald Trump. Had this not happened, California would not have reacted. It should be noted, the Texas Legislature is redrawing the maps without any public input. Here in California, the legislature can propose but it requires a vote of the people to move forward. In a perfect world, all states would use independent (or independent as possible) commissions. But that's not what we have and Democrats aren't going to stand by idly and let the Republicans redraw the maps without a response. I seriously doubt Supervisor Gore would be so concerned if the California Legislature had a Republican majority. But if she wants to continue to point fingers, at least point in the right direction. Scott and Eileen Boore Lincoln Busy intersection needs a traffic light Dear Editor, Calling on the Placer County Board of Supervisors and the Lincoln City Council to "light a fire" under PG&E to bring in the electricity for a traffic light at the intersection of Hwy 193 and Oak Tree Lane in Lincoln. As previously presented in this newspaper, PG&E is the only holdup for installing the traffic light, a safety measure we have needed for years. Hundreds of vehicles pass through that intersection daily, and hundreds of attendees at St. Joseph Catholic Church take their lives into their hands every time they have to turn from Oak Tree Lane on to Hwy 193. PLEASE install a traffic light before anyone else gets injured or killed. Respectifully submitted, Shirley Schultz Lincoln Support your local newspaper You may be annoyed at times if your Auburn Journal doesn't arrive in your mail on time. BUT, towns all over the country are losing their neighborhood newspapers. These newspapers, like the Journal, are a kind of running history of the towns. The Journal keeps people informed of events happening locally. This includes entertainment, Gatherings, art exhibits, sporting events, openings of new businesses and restaurants, meetings in which you may be interested and more. There are excellent columns from community people. Letters to the editor allow people to have their voices heard. Public notices, obituaries and crime logs relay information. I urge you to support and subscribe to the Auburn Journal. We don't want to lose this important resource. (Not paid for by the Journal.) Charlene Messner Newcastle