Letters to the editor

A Letter to the Editor in your April 7 edition raised some interesting points (not to mention my eyebrows). The writer strongly encourages citizens to run for public office, specifically on the Fort Bragg City Council. The tone of the letter was more than a little scolding; apparently, this writer feels we are all letting her down by not running for office. However, the writer makes no mention of running for office herself. Perhaps she is, I don’t know. But if you’re going to lecture an entire community about not doing what you think they should be doing, it might be a good idea to make sure everyone knows you’re leading by example.

As the writer acknowledges, it is entirely true that today’s politics have “frayed the fabric of our social souls”. The best that public servants can hope for in the current climate is constant criticism and scolding (such as this writer delivers, I might point out). The worst they can expect is that their lives and the lives of their loved ones will be threatened. If this letter writer really wants to mend that frayed social fabric, she would do well to step into the fray herself, rather than chastising everyone else for not doing so.

—Loré McLaren, Fort Bragg

The Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County (CRC) is a local, grassroots nonprofit that provides vital services to anyone facing cancer in Mendocino County. All of our services are free of charge. We have an office in Fort Bragg on Cypress Street, and in Ukiah on W. Gobbi.

For about 20 years, CRC has received a grant from the Safeway Foundation. The money for this grant is donated by our generous community, a dollar or two at a time, at the checkout when shopping at Safeway stores. This collection is happening now, during the month of April, at all Safeway stores in Northern California.

If you shop at Safeway and can spare a few dollars, your support of the campaign will increase the chances that grant funding will be available to CRC, your local cancer support nonprofit. We are grateful to the Safeway Foundation and to the local people who support their efforts by donating at the checkout.

Finally, if there are people in your life who are coping with cancer, be sure they know we are here to help: go to crcmendocino. org or call our Ukiah office at (707) 467-3828, or our Fort Bragg Office at (707) 937-3833.

— Karen Oslund, Executive Director, Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County

There’s a rumor floating around town that the Mendocino Coast Humane Society (MCHS) had seriously considered making use of the recently vacated veterinary facility on Franklin Street. But, it didn’t work out. Does anyone know why? Perhaps if we were made aware of the obstacle(s), the Coastal Community could help make it happen. People, our pets need rescuing! Our pets need quality veterinary care! None of us want to see our pets continue to suffer because of the limitations of vet care on the Coast.

What were the obstacles to seeing MCHS accomplish this? As a community what do they need from us to accomplish this? What should our elected leaders on the Fort Bragg City Council do to accomplish this? The City Council just hired a hi-powered grant writer from Washington DC. Council members, let’s start by writing grants to get the MCHS to grow in its ability to be more effective and save our pets needless suffering and death.

Again, I ask, What issue(s) caused the MCHS to withdraw its effort to utilize a perfectly suitable facility for lifesaving work? Does anybody know?

This community needs to step up and assist MCHS in its endeavors to continue to provide our community with the incredible work they have always provided to the coast.

— Rosemary Mangino, Fort Bragg