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Lawsuit pending on state’s new fire tax

Like many of you, our family recently received a $150 “fire tax” bill from the state.

I voted against this tax last year in Sacramento and believe it is unfair to suburban and rural Californians.

The state doesn’t charge residents in urban areas a “crime tax” even though most crimes occur in cities, so why should those of us living in suburban and rural areas get charged a fire tax?

The answer is we really shouldn’t get charged a state fire tax, and in fact many of us already pay local fire fees to cover the cost of fire prevention and suppression.

There is currently a lawsuit pending against the legality of the fire tax and if this tax gets overturned, the court will order the governor to return our hard-earned money.

For specific questions about the actual fire tax bill you received, please visit: www.firepreventionfee.org, or call 1-888-310-6447.

I hope this information has been helpful to you.

Sen. Joel Anderson

36th DistrictLooking beyond the electionOn Wednesday, Nov. 7, I took time to reflect on the events of Nov 6. Republicans lost, President Obama won. But who really lost? We shall see.I believe it is the American people who lost. America needed someone who could turn this economy around, a proven leader who has actually had job experience running companies and hiring people and making many companies prosperous. There are those who will say otherwise and try to alter history, but look at the real facts, not those spread by political ads and radical media reporters.We prayed for our country to be restored to American and Christian values which have been steadily eroding under a president who doesn’t seem to embrace the same Judeo Christian values our forefathers presented us when they established this country.Our children lost. They will inherit the worst fiscal disaster one could ever imagine. They will also inherit an America that seems destined to become a third world country with all the entitlements that come with that description.And what will await us? No one knows until President Obama begins to ponder how he will implement his own personal agendas, those he believes will help him continue to achieve his goal of being a transformational president.I have had enough of “transformation.” I want the country that God intended this to be: a land of the free and home of the brave, a prosperous country that rivals no other, a country that is compassionate and giving. I want a country that will always stand behind our allies, a country that will never abandon Israel.Today I begin all over to set my sights on a brighter future, one I help mold by staying with my principles and I will not compromise just to appease those who say we need to be more accepting and more tolerant. Conservatives do just fine in that regard. I will continue to speak out for what I believe. And I will strive to help choose the right candidates to represent me in state offices and in Congress.

Sallie T. McKelvey

RamonaOnly in AmericaAs a resident of Ramona for more than 25 years, I have been fortunate to know, support, and honor many great citizens of our area who regularly express their views in the Ramona Sentinel. Many of them have views that do not coincide with my own views; but I respect them and I am happy to call them “my neighbors.”As I reflect back over the years, one such person is at the top of my list of outstanding local citizens — Dr. Duttaahmed. He is known by his family and friends as Dutta. I have known no kinder, gentler, or clearer thinking person.Dutta and I have exchanged views many times over the years. Frequently, our perspectives on current events, politics, world order, and the role that government should play in our daily lives are very different. But Dutta has taught me to be open to other viewpoints and to honor the messenger even when I do not like the message.Again last week in the Sentinel he achieved that. The contentious election of 2012 is behind us. It is now time to pull together as Americans. We may continue our debate, but we must learn to work together, respect different views, and vow to reach consensus on the many important issues that confront our nation and our community.As Dutta said so well, we must learn to talk to each other, listen to each other, and be open for finding solutions, not just pointing out problems and demonizing the opposition. Only in America. Thanks, Dr. Dutta, for helping us to understand that we can disagree with each other and yet still be civil and respectful citizens. Only in America.

Scott Milner

Ramona

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