Our View: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up to local public officials, particularly Yuba City Mayor Rory Ramirez, for connecting with residents via the Internet. Ramirez, Bill Lewis, utilities director for Yuba City, and Yuba City Police Chief Richard Doscher are among the city leaders who've posted and responded to comments on recent stories on the Appeal-Democrat Web site.

Ramirez, in fact, has become quite prolific on comments threads dealing with the controversial Hillcrest Water System proposal, engaging in online dialogue with detractors as well as supporters. We applaud these officials for embracing this effective form of communication and encourage others to do the same.

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Prayer alone is not the answer to the gangs and violence prevalent in Yuba-Sutter. But taking the time to reflect on what we can do on our own and collectively to make our community a better, safer place to live is time well spent. For that reason, we give a thumbs up to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, which sponsored a candlelight vigil Wednesday night. The vigil was held in response to the increased number of drive-by shootings in Yuba City, including three fatal incidents in two months.

Prayers were offered for victims of violence and to hope those committing crimes can recognize the effects they are having on the community.

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Thumbs down to the Justice Department for opting not to prosecute former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for improperly — and possibly illegally — handling highly sensitive classified information about the government's counterterrorism programs.

A Justice Department report released last week found Gonzales improperly stored the data, thus risking its exposure. Such information is supposed to be safeguarded only in special safes or facilities accessible only by certain people with the appropriate security clearances.

Mishandling classified materials violates Justice Department regulations, and removing them from special secure facilities without proper authorization is a misdemeanor crime, according to The Associated Press.

Gonzales' legal team acknowledged the former AG's lapses, but said there's no evidence the information was accessed by unauthorized people. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the former AG who resigned under fire last year, but did not indicate why. Imagine the fallout you or I would experience for such conduct.

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Thumbs up and happy retirement to Steve Roper, who retired Aug. 31 as chief of the Yuba County Probation Department. Roper, who spent 33 years with the department - 20 as the top man — was hailed by colleagues as an inspirational leader as well as for his department's successes.

Roper's determination helped bring about PASS — Probation and School Success program — which places probation officers in schools to offer early intervention and nontraditional probation services.

In addition, Roper was instrumental in developing the Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center. Said Christine Odom, Sutter County's chief probation officer: "He has inspired me and many other chief probation officers to not only develop programs that will improve the lives of others, but first and foremost to carry out our duties with both integrity and compassion."

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San Francisco Giants fans haven't had much to cheer about this season, but there was a "Crash Davis" highlight moment last week you may have missed. Davis, of course, is the character in the movie "Bull Durham" who's bashed home runs in the minor leagues but not tasted success in the big leagues.

Recreating that role in real life last week was journeyman Scott McClain, 36, the active minor league home run king who has 19 years of professional baseball experience, including four years in Japan. Called up by the Giants a few days earlier, McClain hit his first major league home run Wednesday, a no-doubt-about-it shot that helped the Giants win their game against the Rockies.

The Atascadero native has played in just 32 major league games, but none more special than last week's. McClain earns a thumbs up for his perseverance alone. Check out the home run and announcer Duane Kuipier's accompanying call at www.sfgiants.com.