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Opinion
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
When I moved to Clearlake in 1981 it was obviously a diverse community, full of strong-minded people whose opinions differed about practically everything – but everyone did seem to agree about one thing: the roads were terrible.
“You could lose a Volkswagen in some of those potholes,” people said.
Now more than 30 years later the roads are if anything worse. No longer a joking matter, their abysmal condition is putting a tremendous drag on the city’s prosperity, and also degrading the lake on which our whole community depends.
Measure H, virtually identical to Measure J (which barely failed to receive the two-thirds majority needed for passage in 2012), will place an additional 1 percent sales tax on transactions within the city limits, and devote three quarters of the proceeds directly to road repair, with the remainder financing code enforcement – something else that is desperately needed if Clearlake is to have any chance of becoming the thriving little town its natural assets should make it.
This tax will be paid by visitors and residents alike, and will remain entirely at home rather than being shipped off to Sacramento: it is the only feasible way to finance these essential repairs.
Please vote Yes on Measure H.
Victoria Brandon lives in Lower Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Nelson Strasser
I was asked a question: “Nelson, so you think people who earn more money than you are obligated to pay for your health care?”
My letter explained that I pay for my health care. Part of it is taken out of my Social Security check, and the other part I pay for by purchasing a supplemental plan.
So, I am going to assume that the questioner means the collective “me.” The answer is, “yes,” I believe that those folks who earn more than me should pay for health care for all, and I also believe that people who make less than me should be obligated to pay for the health care of all.
The concept of insurance is based upon the notion of a “pool.” If you don’t have a large enough “pool” to draw from, then insurance does not work.
Once again, Obama ran on a health care platform, and won, and both houses passed the bill.
I am also assuming that what the questioner means that he does not want to pay for folks less fortunate than himself.
This is a corollary of “Social Darwinism,” a 19th century notion that Darwin’s concept of the “survival of the fittest” should be applied to people, and it should be “every man for himself.”
It was a justification for the wealthy to have a lot, and poor people to have as little as possible, and yet enough to stay alive to work for the wealthy. I had hoped this idea had died with the New Deal and FDR’s castigation of the “economic royalty.”
Interestingly, few people complain about paying for public education. Most of us consider it a good idea to have an educated population and make it possible for all children to maximize their potential.
Somehow, if the questioner is one who does indeed support public education, he does not mind paying for the education of those less fortunate, but not for their health.
And yet, on a pyramid of needs, I believe that health would come before education. I hope that answers your question, questioner.
Nelson Strasser lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Rebecca Curry
The Lake County Democratic Party would like to thank everyone in the community who made our 20th annual Democratic Legislator’s Barbecue fundraiser on Oct. 6 a resounding success.
Tom Torlakson, California superintendent of public instruction, delivered the keynote address. Lake County Democrats are exceedingly grateful that he was able to take time from his duties to visit Lake County.
We are honored to thank Speaker Pro Tem Emeritus and candidate for Board of Equalization, Ms. Fiona Ma, and our 4th District Assemblywoman Ms. Mariko Yamada, who addressed the guests and graced us with their company.
Anthony Farrington, Lake County District 4 supervisor, led the ceremonies with style and humor.
Special acknowledgments go to Democratic legislative representatives for their continued and magnanimous sponsorship: Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman John Garamendi, Board of Equalization member and candidate for State Controller Ms. Betty Yee, and our 4th District Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. Congressman Thompson and Assemblymember Yamada also donated very special items for raffle.
Democratic candidates for the 4th District Assembly race generously sponsored as well. They are Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd; Mayor of Davis Joe Krovoza; Napa County Planning Commissioner Matt Pope and Davis City Council member Dan Wolk. Chris Lehman, Democratic candidate for the 2nd Senate District, also gave generously.
Bell Hill Vineyards, Cache Creek Winery, Chacewater Wine Co., Langtry Estates, Olof Cellars, Robledo Family Winery, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards and Thorn Hill Winery donated some of Lake County’s best wines for our guests.
Lake County musical favorite, David Neft, provided the perfect touch to the event.
Local Lake County businesses, Backyard Garden Oasis, Butterfly Skin Essentials, Clarke’s Collectibles, David Engle Hair Designs, Girlfriends Salon, Lajour Estate Winery, The Lake County Wine Studio, Langtry Estates, the Main Street Grill, Six Sigma Winery, Thorn Hill Winery and Watershed Books supported the barbecue by donating to the silent auction. Their contributions are invaluable.
Our union partners in the event, the California Teachers Association, California United Health Care Workers; North Bay Labor Council; Operating Engineers Local 3 Unit 10, IBEW Local 551, SEIU Local 1021, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake Building and Trades Council, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38 and Teamsters Local 665, attended and provided generous sponsorships for their members and guests.
The barbecue could not have happened without the enthusiastic work of the members of the Democratic Party of Lake County.
Evan Willig provided another delicious tri-tip barbecue. Celesta and Norm Deter, once again, organized and mounted one of our most successful silent auctions ever. Committee members Paula Mune and Wanda Quitiquit prepared and served the side dishes that accompanied the barbecue.
Lake County Democratic Party members Luisa Acosta, Larry Baron, John Boling, Judy Conard, Essie Coons, Scott Dunn, Adckinjo Esutoki, James Evans, Wil Flato, Ceva Giumelli, Sunol Grayhorse, Moira Harris, Wanda Harris, Shirley Howland, Sorhna Jordan, Bill Manners, Jennifer Popovich, Louis Rigod, Harold Riley and Joy Swetnam all gave their time and effort to ensure the event was a success.
Mark Wickhamshire, committee member and chair of the Stonewall Democratic Club, and the members of the Stonewall Democratic Club prepared the delicious homemade desserts and hosted the beverage table.
Johnnie Flato, committee member and chair of the Lake County Democratic Club, along with members of that club lent tireless support to all aspects of the event.
Melissa Swanson with the city of Clearlake, as ever, patient and accommodating, was great to work with and we look forward to having the event at the Clearlake Senior Center again next year.
Arton Glassware in Kelseyville created our commemorative wine and pilsner glasses. They were a huge hit with the attendees.
Finally and most importantly, the Lake County Democrats want to especially thank each guest and each of our Lake County elected officials for your attendance and continued support of the Lake County Democratic party.
The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.
For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org .
Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at
Rebecca Curry is chair of the Lake County Democratic Party. She lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Scott Knickmeyer
The Lake County Association of Realtors is deeply concerned about property rights and property values.
We are keenly aware of neighborhood conditions in all of Lake County and have observed that those who agree to conform to a set of standards and rules tend to keep or increase their values than those who don’t.
Lake County, like many rural counties across the nation, is composed primarily of unincorporated areas. The small communities that do exist have no authority over the residents to set and maintain even the basic standards within their areas. This has resulted in neighborhoods that have lower property values and urban blight.
The presence of a home owners association (HOA) can and has dramatically increased the value of homes in the neighborhood.
The rules and regulations established by an HOA are designed to protect the value of each property. The primary purpose of the homeowners association is to ensure that an individual or group cannot negatively impact the market value of homes in the neighborhood. As a result, rules become a necessity.
While many people may be turned off by rules and regulations, it is one of the primary reasons that homeowners associations remain popular. Without rules, homeowners would be able to act without consequences. As a result, one or a few homeowners would have the ability to negatively impact the majority.
While an HOA is responsible for enforcing rules and regulations, the mere existence of an HOA can prevent a decrease in property values.
Those who buy homes in neighborhoods that have HOAs have full disclosure. They are provided a copy of the rules and regulations and/or CC&Rs during the course of the transaction so homeowners who are unable to comply with these rules and regulations will be less likely to purchase a home that includes an HOA.
As a result, the community should be able to work together within the structure of the HOA to share similar goals and values.
The Lake County Association of Realtors does hereby encourage the existence of functional HOAs and opposes any attempt to dissolve existing HOAs in Lake County.
Scott Knickmeyer, association executive, writes on behalf of the 2013 Lake County Association of Realtors Board of Directors, based in Lakeport, Calif.