Off Beat: Dear Doug, No thanks

This columnist is apparently on a first-name basis with your state senator, Doug LaMalfa, who hopes to become your congressman.

LaMalfa, or at least his campaign staff, sent an email. It wound up in this columnist’s inbox last month.

It began, “Dear Harold.”

This columnist almost teared up at the thought of being so friendly with an elected official.

“As you may have heard, I recently announced my candidacy for the United States House of Representatives,” the missive began.

Yes, this columnist had heard that.

“Our longtime friend and representative Wally Herger decided not to seek re-election to Congress. With his endorsement and support I launched my campaign Thursday morning,” it continued.

Wally Herger is this columnist’s friend, too? The tears almost started flowing again.

Now Doug – he’s this columnist’s friend – got to the heart of the matter.

“Like Sacramento, Washington, D.C., has an addiction to spending that threatens our strength as a nation. The government has created a $15 trillion deficit and is borrowing over 43 cents for every dollar it spends.

Business as usual will only make the problem worse,” said the missive.

Way to go, Doug! That’s telling them!

“We need our rural, common sense values represented in Washington. As your representative in the House, I will work to: reduce the debt and balance the budget; reduce taxes so working families and small businesses can keep more of their hard-earned money; repeal unnecessary regulations that hamper our ability to create jobs; protect North State water rights and increase water storage throughout the state; and stand up for our conservative values of freedom, family, hard work and individual responsibility,” Doug’s email continued.

And then the important stuff.

This columnist’s friend, Doug, wanted some money.

“I call upon you today in this new front on a new battlefield so that I can carry the fight to Washington for the North State values we share,” Doug’s email said.

This columnist – passed.

Persistence

Tyrone Adams is nothing if not persistent.

Adams was a tenant in a rental property on Lee Road in Nicolaus. He thought the premises was substandard.

The issue of how Sutter County, through its departments, and the property owners responded, has now spawned five lawsuits filed by Adams: two in U.S. District Court in Sacramento, one in U.S. District Court in San Francisco and one each in Sutter County Superior Court and San Francisco Superior Court.

Sutter County supervisors discussed this in closed session last week. It must have been a lively discussion.