How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Virginia Vovchuk
As avid users of the public lands in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region, the Lake County Horse Council would like to thank US House of Representatives members Mike Thompson, John Garamendi, Jared Huffman, Anna Eshoo and Ami Bera, and US Sen. Barbara Boxer for supporting and introducing legislation to permanently protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
Approximately half of California’s 700,000 horses are used for recreational purposes, with $1.9 billion of the total California equine industry coming from recreational riders.
A National Conservation Area will ensure that these beautiful public lands and trails are preserved, not only for us, but for future generations.
The number of horseback riders and other recreational trail users in this region is growing. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone who reaches out to appreciate these public lands, finds a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.
A National Conservation Area will give us the opportunity to craft a management plan. This plan can be tailored to site specific needs in our region.
Better managed recreational opportunities, and the addition of conservation sensitive multi-use trails, will benefit people currently recreating in this region, and encourage more people to visit.
Virginia Vovchuk is president of the Lake County Horse Council, based in Kelseyville, Calif. Visit the group online at www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com .
- Details
- Written by: John Mulrooney
I waded through Cal Water’s latest application for a general water rate increase in the beleaguered outpost of Lucerne.
This time they plan to ding us an extra $818,000 over the next three years. And apparently, it’s our fault because we haven’t been using enough water again! Nothing to do, I suppose, with all the free water-saving devices they were handing out to residents a couple of years ago.
No, they say, you don’t understand, “most costs of operating the water system are fixed, regardless of the level of usage.”
Huh? Doesn’t compute to me.
If people are using less water, don’t the pumps have to run less often? Don’t they save on all those nasty chemicals they treat the water with? Don’t the filters clog less often and need less maintenance? Isn’t the infrastructure under less strain and therefore needs fewer repairs? Couldn’t they send a few people home if there’s not as much demand? Turn off some lights, maybe? Couldn’t we see fewer employees driving around all day in those giant trucks. Really? Costs are fixed?
But wait, they say, we’ll help you out a bit, ease your pain, and this is how it would work.
Customers get to choose between two plans. Cal Water calls them the no phase-in plan and the phase-in plan. I prefer to think of them as the getting screwed (no phase-in) plan and the getting really screwed (phase-in) plan.
Under the getting screwed plan (no phase-in) rates jump an average of $40 a month (up 57%) in January 2014. In January 2015 they go up another $3 a month on average (2.2%) and in January 2016 they go down (believe it or not!) a generous one dollar a month. That’s a total raise of about $42 a month over three years (I’m going with Cal Water’s “typical customer” scenario, which everyone knows is bogus, but let’s move on).
Bad enough, right?
But here’s what happens if the phase-in (getting really screwed) plan – the plan Cal Water humbly “recommends” – is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.
In January 2014 rates go up “only” $22 a month, about $18 a month less than the raise proposed under the no phase-in (getting screwed) plan. Lessens the impact, says Cal Water.
Right? Wrong!
Because here’s what happens next – rates go up another $26 a month in January 2015 and then another $17 a month in 2016 for a total raise of about $58 over three years.
And when it’s all paid, Cal Water walks away with an extra $451,450 in interest on top of the already unconscionable $818,00 they started out grasping for!
No wonder they’re so eager to help ease our pain.
My question is, if they think we can’t afford to pay an extra $18 a month next year to implement the no phase-in (getting screwed) plan how on earth do they think we’ll be able to afford the extra half million in interest payments on top of the increased water rates? Where are the bean counters at Cal Water finding inspiration for this egregious, immoral greed?
Sounds like the worst excesses of the used car sales business and the payday loan shark industry if you ask me.
John Mulrooney lives in Lucerne, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Kathy Windrem
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. One of many activities being held to commemorate the month was a coloring contest in which children drew “Fun things to do with my family.”
Children in the Lake County Office of Education ASES After School Program drew colorful pictures for the contest.
The two winners of the contest will have their artwork displayed on place mats at the Lakeport Taco Bell throughout the month of April.
We wish to thank Lakeport Taco Bell and manager Michelle Scott for their support of this activity.
They generously donated prizes to the winners, and also hosted the award ceremony for the two children who drew the winning artwork that is featured on the place mats.
Taco Bell is just one of many business and organizations who have come together to draw attention to the issues of child abuse, and the need for healthy activities for our families and children.
We are proud to live and work in a community that supports its families.
Kathy Windrem is a member of the Lake County Children’s Council of Lake County, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Judy Kempler
Our old horse, Rondo, died on New Year’s Day. Although he was 33, it was unexpected and traumatic.
Our daughter, Sara, was raised on him and he has been a family member for nearly 30 years.
We buried him in his field and when Sara was able to come from Colorado a few weeks ago, we made a stone and put a cross at the head of his grave.
On Thursday I was the beneficiary of a “random act of kindness.”
It seems a local gal, Penny, had been seeing the horse for a long time as she traveled the highway.
Penny noticed when Rondo was no longer in his field and wondered on and off over the past few months what had happened to this horse.
Then, she saw the cross and as any horseman would, she knew that the old horse must be in his final resting place.
Penny dropped by on Thursday while I was out doing some dog training in the field and brought a large bouquet of flowers along with her condolences and some good wishes.
Out of the clear blue sky and in spite of the fact that we are complete strangers, she went out of her way to acknowledge Rondo and our family and frankly, our common humanity.
Penny told me she knows “all horse people are good people.” Well I want you to know Penny is “good people” and her gracious act was greatly appreciated.
If you are ever in Pogo’s Pizza, I hope you will tell Penny that you read about her random act of kindness and that you have been inspired to follow her lead. I know I sure have.
Judy Kempler lives in Kelseyville, Calif.