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Opinion
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
I believe in our institutions as the fairest and most beneficial form of government. Regretfully, individuals, after a long time in power, feel a sense of entitlement, a sense of us versus the people.
The Dinius case cast a pallor over Lake County, and made us seem like a “good ole boys” club. We rely on tourism and retirees to fuel our economic system, and just the hint of scandal could slow the constant renewal of both, which are desperately necessary to keep our standard of living.
This was more than a hint, in fact, aspersions were cast on our local justice system when our district attorney and sheriff both embarrassed our county by appearing to have tried to cover up a wrong doing. Perhaps this is a matter of perception, but in their positions of authority, that is enough.
That is why I support Don Anderson for district attorney, and Francisco Rivero for sheriff. We need to clean house and show that we are not run by an entrenched clique, or a rural backwater.
Term limits were set up for a reason, to keep government from being for the governors, not for the people.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Herb Gura
Candidates for Lake County elected office get a quick education about campaign signs. For a few dollars a sign, these have been shown to be an effective way to get the name of one’s favorite candidate out to the public.
Although a multitude of campaign signs can be a temporary eyesore, they are part of the trade off of living in a free speech society with an electoral process.
There are unfortunately some negatives that the public and the candidates themselves have to put up with.
Some signs are placed without permission: on vacant lots, public property, even at the homes and businesses which have not asked for them.
People tamper with or remove signs of candidates they don’t support.
Signs sometimes are left in place long after the election.
Every candidate must sign documents acknowledging their responsibilities regarding campaign signs but not every candidate seems to take these responsibilities seriously.
As one of those whose signs you will be seeing between now and the November election, I want to promise the following to the public and invite all other candidates to do the same:
My signs will either be homemade or printed by local businesses.
The materials I use for mounting my signs will be recycled or reused.
I will get express permission from the appropriate person before placing any signs.
I will not place my signs on public right of ways, vacant lots, or other unpermitted areas.
I will not disturb the signs of any other candidate.
All my signs will be removed within three days or less after the Nov. 2 election.
Best of luck to all candidates for a free and fair election.
Herb Gura lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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- Written by: Phil Smoley
Byron Whipple, broker/owner of City Center Realty, died Saturday night in a boating accident on Clear Lake.
If you did not get to know Byron, you missed an opportunity to know a truly wonderful man. A former water ski racing champion, he was injured in a fall nearly 30 years ago, and that led to him being confined to a wheelchair, with limited use of his arms. But rather than spending the rest of his life being cared for, he worked hard to be not only self-sufficient as possible, but also build and operate a successful real estate business and contribute to the community in a variety of ways.
I had the privilege to meet Byron as we both entered the Lake County real estate community back in the mid-80s. During that time, there have been competitors that I either liked, or admired or respected. But there have been only a few competitors that I have liked, and admired and respected; Byron was one of these.
I liked him because of his upbeat, positive, energetic personality. His sense of humor was a little strange, like my own. He was never a “downer.” Being around him was fun, informative and positive. He always came across to me as genuinely warm and caring. He had passion for real estate, for sports, for our community and for Clear Lake, and that passion was contagious.
I admired him because his obstacles to success were far greater than mine. He was in a wheelchair, but he could run circles around me professionally.
He took on being board president, chamber president, all while building a successful business. I would be racing from event to event, often showing up late or ill-prepared, only to find Byron already there ready to go.
He would get into work before me, and often be at work after me (I know as I often would drive by his office to work.). When tired or frustrated with work, often I would think of Byron: “If he can do it, so can I,” or “What's my excuse?”
Byron had every excuse not to perform, and yet he outperformed most everyone. No one would fault him if he just relaxed and lived off the help of others. Instead, Byron was out doing more for others than most healthy people ever dream of.
Never once did I hear him complain about his lot, even when his condition was at its worst. His attitude helped keep me from feeling sorry for myself when things were not going as I hoped they would. He made me wonder about people who would not come to work or give it their all because they "did not feel like it" or had an excuse as lame as "my toe is sore."
I respected him because he was a true professional in his vision, approach, ethics and honesty. He was not driven by greed. He was fiercely competitive, but never was cutthroat. I always felt that I could trust Byron.
Whenever we had a disagreement about some real estate practice, it was respectful and we always resolved whatever it was we needed to deal with. He did many things to give back to the community with his time and energy, and one would suspect, with his pocketbook.
All in all, the passing of Byron is not a loss just to his family and friends. His death is a loss to both our local real estate community and to the community at large.
I will miss him very much; it won't be the same without him. May his life and struggle be an inspiration to all of us.
Phil Smoley lives in Lakeport.
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- Written by: Barbara Galvan
I picked up a copy of Don Anderson’s book, “408 Lakeport,” at his booth. Don’s book took me on a ride I’ll not soon forget.
I picked up the book for a quick glance but found I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Don took me on a ride filled with anger, sadness and disgust, tears and occasional smiles and remembering how my brother, Jim, somehow always managed to keep the honor in his role as a police officer and firefighter. I found myself honoring a deputy I never knew, Sgt. Richard Helbush.
I’ve gained a greater respect for Don Anderson who literally had the opportunity to take the law into in own hands but chose to uphold the law and take the killers into custody.
I have a greater insight into the man I’m voting for as our next district attorney. He shares his private thoughts in this candid, heart-wrenching and emotional book.
If my brother were alive today I know he would be honored to shake Don’s hand and offer his support both emotionally and otherwise.
Barbara Galvan lives in Cobb, Calif.