By Steve Powell

I’m not a huge fan of Californians nowadays. However, they did just pass one law I totally agree with.

They are switching to Daylight Savings Time year-around.

Now I, for one, don’t think it’s that hard to change my clocks twice a year.

Many others do feel that is a burden.

But what I do like about it is the added daylight.

By springing forward, it gets light at 5:11 a.m. and gets dark at 9:10 p.m. on June 21, the longest day of the year.

If we stayed on Standard Time, it would get light at 4:11 a.m. Why would anyone want it light that early in the day? And in the evening it would get dark at 8:10, cutting off outside activities earlier.

The winter also would be better.

Now, on Nov. 12 for example, sunrise was at 7:12 and sunset at 4:36. Without falling back, sunset would be 8:12 and 5:36. So while we still would be going to work in the dark, at least it would be light when we come home, reducing some of that winter dreariness feeling.

So if we really are too lazy to change our clocks, let’s make sure we go with Daylight Savings Time than Standard Time.

Schools want to make it so it only takes 50 percent of voters to approve construction bonds.

Right now it takes 60 percent. Local schools bonds have been going down to defeat. It’s hard to get 60 percent of Americans to agree on anything.

But I think 50 percent is to easy. That’s the same as it takes to pass a levy thats lasts a few years and costs taxpayers much less.

While 60 percent is too hard, 50 percent is too easy. How about compromising (remember that word?) at 55 percent?

Bonds are usually for 20 years or so and costs taxpayers a lot of money for a long time. They should be harder to pass. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay that much for that long if only half of them agree on it.

Didn’t it seem like Christmas came early this year. Santa came to a local store on Nov. 10. The city of Marysville put up Christmas lights downtown. Shops are putting out their holiday displays. People are lighting their homes and putting out Christmas regalia.

At first I was perturbed about it. It’s supposed to start after Thanksgiving, not right after Halloween. That’s the tradition anyway. But now I’m already in the Christmas spirit. I’ve even gone out and bought some gifts. It’s nice because the stores aren’t packed yet, like they are after Black Friday. So starting early isn’t all that bad. My wife told me she saw an article that people who start earlier are happier. So, I’m happier.

I don’t want to skip Thanksgiving, however. I am thankful for life. That is the best gift of all. I lost two relatives and two friends this year, the most ever. Three were to cancer and one to a heart attack. Makes everything else we get upset about seem pretty silly.

Steve Powell is the managing editor of The Marysville Globe and The Arlington Times. His Backseat Coach column runs as the need arises.