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Opinion
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
I am concerned that many of us feel that lobbyists, and the big money interests run our government.
Obviously, candidates need money to run their elections and buy media coverage for their campaigns, but too often that money is directly tied to specific bills to assist special interests, and not necessarily in the interest of their constituents.
This leads to the conclusion that many are not representing us, but big money. That is one reason for suspicion when it regards gun control.
Violence is always a last resort, but the second amendment made that a right of last resort. Government should be by the majority vote, and in the people’s interest.
The balance of power is off kilter when one or two percent controls ninety eight percent of the wealth, thus a large percentage of our elected representatives owe their election to big money.
When they talk gun control, we cringe because we do not know how far they will take it. Nobody really minds background checks; we have had them here in California for years.
I can even stomach limiting the size of magazines, though I oppose keeping so called assault weapons from citizens as silly, as fully automatic weapons have been illegal federally for some time. Semi-autos are just fine; in fact, I have always preferred them to fully autos.
I think government should protect us with laws that allow us to make decisions for ourselves. We do not need big brother peeking over our shoulder and micromanaging our every move.
We need to be treated as adults, I understand helmet laws, cigarette laws, alcohol laws, traffic laws, but lighten up on gun laws. Law enforcement is not bodyguards, we need to be able to protect our home and families, and it is our right.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Nelson Strasser
I don’t have a TV and I leave my furnace off, but I am comfortable curled up next to my books and my computer with my trusty little heater sitting in close proximity atop a padded folding chair.
I read for long periods, and when I need a break, I watch Netflix Instant Watch. I was watching Anna Something, crime reporter (Swedish with subtitles). It was mildly exciting, but not near as exciting as the scene that transpired next to me.
First, the sound effects: zzzt! zzzt! I looked down and saw the padding of the chair on fire! Holy Moly, What was this? I lifted the heater and put out the fire with my hand and then pulled the plug of the heater out of the wall.
Once the smoke cleared, and, when I say “smoke cleared,” I am speaking literally, I went to Google to see if I could learn something from this event.
Forty-two percent of home structure fires originate in the kitchen. Peak hours for home fires are between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.”
By the way, I discovered that I do have an alarm, but it is in the living room of my mobile home, and never went off. If they put only one sensor, why not put it in the kitchen, where the plurality of fires originate? I am certain the laws have changed since my metal box was built.
The U.S. Fire Administration says: “It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave items that can catch fire, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove.”
How did all this apply to my fire? It seemed like the game “Clue” in reverse: it did not start in the kitchen, a working appliance was not left unattended, it was not between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and I did have a working fire alarm. Clearly this was a statistical outlier.
It felt very unfulfilling not to be able to place blame. Then I had an epiphany. My fire was started by the Chinese. It was probably some slave laborer, who, unable to end his depression by leaping out of a high story window (after the cameras left, they put the suicide nets back on), decided to turn his anger outward, and left one of the wires inside the heater loose.
This will not be a problem immediately, but over time, the electricity will begin to arc, and then build up heat, until one day, flames shoot out. What at first seemed inscrutable now is transparent.
Nelson Strasser lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: LaDonn Morgan
On behalf of Middletown Rotary, I want to thank everyone who participated for another sold-out, successful fundraiser for the Rotary Club’s 21st Annual Crab Feast and Auctions.
Thanks to continued support from major sponsors: Calpine Corp., Langtry Estate & Vineyards LLC, St. Helena Hospital-Clearlake and Reynolds Systems Inc., plus new sponsor Bottle Rock Power LLC.
Thanks to our local sponsors: Jim and Hettie at Clover Lake Dairy, Karen Turcotte at Eco-Arts of Lake County, the Smith’s Lifetime Health & Fitness Gym, Margaret at Lovie’s Nursery, Jon “The Tax Man” Meyer, Jeff and Sheri Smith at Middletown Animal Hospital, Tina and Tenae Stewart at Middletown Florist & Gifts, David Neft, Tri-Counties Bank and Westamerica Bank.
Our grand door prize was once again a coveted Hardester’s Market Basket plus a $100 gift certificate and was won by Brian Harms. Our signs and banners were donated by RAH Signs & Outdoor Media; our printing is by Jessica Bennett of Bennett Solutions. Twin Pine Casino & Hotel offered a special Rotary room rate for our out-of-town guests.
Every year, Karen Jones’ Floral Design Class at Middletown High School fashions our floral centerpieces, which are auctioned off. We then split the proceeds with our local FFA chapter.
And every year, our fabulous Interact Club at the high school offers the best of customer service for greeting, seating, serving and cleaning up. They deserve all the tips they make and recognition of the fact they choose to use the tips for club programs.
We give hearty thanks to our too-numerous-to-name-in-this-letter auction donors who are recognized in our auction book.
We’re a small club and rely on our Rotary friends to help us, so another click of those crab claws go to Kari Donley, Karen Turcotte, Andrea Siebert, Craig Bainbridge, Sheri Smith, David Neft, Wiley Weiss, Randy Perkins, Dustin See, Reg Garcia, Steven Novak, Robin and Brian Wallace, Alicia Adams and Linda Moran.
We had a lot of fun this year, the crab and chef Duane’s pasta was at its best, and we’re looking forward to enhancing our community with donations and hands-on projects. We’ll keep you posted. Check our Rotary Club of Middletown Facebook page for updates.
LaDonn Morgan is 2012-13 president 2012-13 and auction chair for the Rotary Club of Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Nikki Sabatier
As teachers our job is to teach students. We do not only teach academics and standards, but we also teach students to become productive members of our community.
Our job is to offer insight and opportunity. We serve as role models, counselors, and advocates. We have a job not outlined in our job description; to show students how to give back to their community.
Saturday, Jan. 5, was opening day for the 2013 Konocti Basketball League (KBL) season.
Players and their families gathered at Lower Lake High School for a day of fun, teamwork and community celebration.
KBL has been bringing our community together for 25 years. The league serves more than 300 students in our community.
Students in good academic standing in grades three through eight are encouraged to participate in this extracurricular league.
Volunteers of all ages come together to make KBL possible each Saturday of the season.
This year there are 33 teams run by volunteer coaches and assistant coaches.
All of the volunteer scorekeepers, referees, bookkeepers and coordinators keep KBL alive with their dedication to our community.
Students are not only playing basketball, but learning to ref games, selling concessions and keeping score.
“We have an abundance of students from the high school that are volunteering their time,” said KBL coordinator Barbara Montalvan.
“We are a feeder program for the high school basketball teams, if students are sincerely interested in playing at the high school level,” she added.
Students are learning to give back to themselves and their community.
Teachers notice. Teachers appreciate. On behalf of the Konocti Educators Association (KEA) we would like to thank all of the volunteers that give this opportunity to our students and our community.
Nikki Sabatier lives in Lower Lake, Calif.