Our View: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Anything that improves flood protection for Yuba-Sutter residents deserves a thumbs up, when viewed simplistically, but unfortunately there's nothing simple about it. Let's see if we have this straight: The Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority is waiting on money from the state, so in the meantime it needs a $7 million "bridge loan" from Yuba County. That's fairly routine — but wait, there's more: Yuba County took out a $46.6 million loan itself from the Yuba County Water Agency, in part because some Plumas Lake developers didn't live up to their part of the bargain. Remember the fateful deal that allowed homebuilding to continue in Plumas Lake over the objections of the state Reclamation Board? The developers were supposed to cough up $60 million to upgrade the levees as part of that deal, but to no one's surprise that money hasn't materialized. That leaves Yuba County on the hook for the local funding needed to build a six-mile Feather River setback levee, which will protect residents from Olivehurst south to Plumas Lake. It's a vital project for public safety, and we can only hope it will end up stronger than the financial planning behind it so far.

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Thumbs up and big wet, furry kisses to the folks behind the establishment of a new thrift shop benefiting dogs in need. Sutter Buttes Canine Rescue last week opened a new 2,000-square-foot store in Yuba City. The nonprofit, established in 2000, and cares for 18 to 20 dogs at a time. All the animals that come through the rescue are spayed, neutered and heartworm tested, and fed and cared for until new homes can be found for them. The nonprofit is also in the midst of building a shelter between Live Oak and Gridley off Highway 99 that is expected to open later this year. You can help out now by shopping at the store and donating clothing, knick-knacks, collectibles and household items to be sold. The store at 730 Bridge St. is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 755-2025.

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Sometimes we're tempted to extend another digit when a "thumbs down" just doesn't feel right. The most recent case in point is the California Air Resources Board, which last week scaled down the number of "pure" zero-emission vehicles that must be produced in 2012-2014. Instead, the six largest automakers must sell nearly 60,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in the same time frame, no small feat considering they're still in development. "We're introducing a whole new category of vehicles to the public," board chairwoman Mary Nichols told the Associated Press. "I don't think it's a step backwards in the real world." We can't speak to which world the air board dwells in, but in the "real world," automakers should decide what they build and sell without government interference. Replacing a costly and unachievable mandate with one that's only slightly more plausible is hardly cause for celebration. Social engineers aren't qualified to build much of anything, including cars.

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Thumbs up to the more than 60 Yuba-Sutter youth who spent their spring break week in Mexico building houses for the less fortunate. The youth, accompanied by 25 parent chaperones, were scheduled to build three houses and a church in the town of Tecate on the Baja peninsula. The mission to Mexico was the 19th organized by St. Andrew Church in Yuba City. "It's worth it," said trip participant Alex McConnell, 17. "You get a sense of satisfaction by doing something for someone else."