Opinion

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Written by: Melissa Bentley

Published: 06 July 2010

Have to write again supporting Rod Mitchell as our ongoing fine sheriff/coroner for this county.

Mr. Mitchell hosted a well-attended “Dessert with the Sheriff” fundraiser on Tuesday, June 29, in Middletown. I have recently twice run into Mr. Mitchell – once at the Upper Lake Wild West Days, and again at the Lions’ Club July 4 party at Austin Park in Clearlake.

Mr. Mitchell always behaves as a perfect gentleman, someone who is not boasting, just standing on his principals and supported by the Lake County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Lake County Correctional Officers’ Association, Lake County Peace Officers’ Association, the National Rifle Association and California Gun Owners.

Mr. Mitchell has instituted many accomplishments and programs while sheriff/coroner at the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.

He recently instituted a Web-based reporting system through the sheriff’s office. The online system will allow the public, at their convenience, to file certain incident reports, which will include but not be limited to minor thefts, vehicle burglaries, lost property, non-domestic violence restraining orders and vandalisms. People are sometimes hesitant to report such incidences for fear of retaliation, etc.; being able to do so online can encourage them to do so.

As I have stated before, Mr. Rivero seems to appeal to the citizens of this county on emotion only. He, in my opinion, does not have near the qualifications of our Sheriff Rod Mitchell to be sheriff in our wonderful, being-kept-safe county.

Again, I urge all aware, astute citizens of this county to vote for Sheriff Mitchell in the November elections.

Melissa Bentley lives in Cobb.

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Written by: Conrad Justice Kiczenski

Published: 04 July 2010

My name is Conrad Justice Kiczenski and I am first and foremost one of the people of the Lake County community. I am also a dedicated programmer, member and loyal listener of the full power radio station KPFZ 88.1 FM, which is owned by the honorable and private nonprofit corporation known as “Lake County Community Radio” (LCCR).

I have a show called “Guerrilla Radio” which is aired live every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and which is rebroadcast every Thursday night from 11 p.m. to midnight on 88.1 FM.

I am writing this letter to present my concerns to the Lake County Community in regards to the programming policies of LCCR, and to also present what I feel is a solution to those concerns.

From my experience, the programming decisions of LCCR are made in the capacity of a private corporate structure. I feel that this creates four main issues which need to be addressed if LCCR is to live up to its name and mission statement as a true “community radio station”.

The programming policy issues that I am concerned with are as follows:

1. Transparency.

2. Community involvement and open collaboration.

3. Accountability.

4. Efficiency.

I feel that a private corporate structure, when it comes to the programming policy decisions of a “Community” radio station, does not effectively meet or address the aforementioned issues.

I feel that the solution to these issues is in the structural implementation of a “Community Programming Committee.”

Station manager of KPFZ, Andy Weiss, who is also the radio producer of the famous and well-loved show called “Karma Cola,” has authored a beautifully democratic proposal which lays out the basic guidelines necessary to create a “community programming committee.” The basic structure of this committee is set up in the following manner:

This committee would be accessible to anybody in the community who is:

1. A financial contributor to LCCR as a regular member.

2. A person who participates in at least 75 percent of regularly scheduled programming meetings.

This committee would have the responsibility of:

1. Electing the program director.

2. Actively collaborating with the program director in programming decisions.

3. Acting as an appeal or grievance counsel for “disgruntled programmers.”

4. Providing a three-fourths vote to determine what programs go on or off the air.

This proposal is in two short and simple pages which can be viewed at the following links:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g86/RadicalJusticeMan/COMMUNITYPROGRAMMINGCOMMITTEE1.jpg

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g86/RadicalJusticeMan/COMMUNITYPROGRAMMINGCOMMITTEE2.jpg

I think this proposal would not only benefit the people of the Lake County community through empowering them with direct responsibility and interaction with the sacred rights of freedom of the press and speech to facilitate true connection among the community, but would also boost support, listenership and the membership base of KPFZ to bring the potential of this radio station to its fullest bloom.

On Sunday, July 18, at 3:30 p.m. the Board of Directors of LCCR will hold their annual board meeting upstairs at 149 N. Main St. in Lakeport. The topic of “Creating a Community Programming Committee” is on the board meetings agenda and I am proposing that the board vote whether or not to implement this community programming committee into the structure of the station. I hope that the board will vote yes if they see it is something that the community truly desires.

So please, I ask that you show up so that the board can see that the Lake County community is capable of handling such a sacred responsibility and to please show your support for this proposal.

Conrad Justice Kiczenski hosts “Guerilla Radio.” Visit the show online at www.guerrillaradiokpfz.podomatic.com, www.radicaljusticeman.podomatic.com or http://kpfz.org/home/. He lives in Lucerne.

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Written by: Jeri Spittler

Published: 19 June 2010

Lower Lake High School grad Timothy Cortez was the lucky winner of a 40-inch big screen television at the recent Sober Grad Night party. Photo courtesy of Jeri Spittler.

Sober Grad Night at Lower Lake High School was fantastic. So many people came together to make this night possible.

I would like to thank all the business and all the special people who worked all day and then all night to make it happen.

At the top of my list: Sears for the 40-inch big screen television, which was the bait on the hook that I needed for such a late start on a Sober Grade Night that the kids had been told all year they were not going to have.

Becky Whimeyer, from Becky's In Home Care, spent a lot of money, even had paid employees to help us set up. This event would not have been possible without her help.

Tess Long – girl you keep those kids going all night long. You are one in a million.

Barbara from Burger Time, you are awesome. She helped keep those kids going in activities all night long. Thank you for talking to your brother, Andre, who owns Silk's Bar and Grill; that pool table was a hit.

Guy Strohmeier's Auto Center in Lakeport was very generous at such short notice and donated a $750. down payment on a used car.

Renee from Valley Glass ran around and picked up bags and cheesecake that Konocti Vista Casino donated and stopped by Epidendio's to get some t-shirts. She also hit up Walmart and got four $25 gift certificates.

Theresa Hernandez from Cabo's Mexican restaurant made the best chili verde, with yummy chips and salsa and beans, too.

Tom Hewlett had his camera ready and took some great pictures and burned CDs. They are great; what a nice man to stay up all night with us.

Dan at Griffin's Furniture made all the moving of pool table, shuffleboard and Girlfriends salon furniture possible. He got it there and loaned us the truck to get it back.

Bob at Bob's Vacuum donated all the paper goods.

Donations and help also came the Highlands Senior Center, Hospice Services of Lake County, Safeway, Grocery Outlet, Foods Etc., Westamerica Bank (which donated a basket of money totaling $100), the staff from Girlfriends, Clearlake Cottages and Marina, Animal Hospital of Clearlake, One Stop Automotive, Alba Ruport, Four Corners, Lake County Fire Protection, Fawn Williams, Jonelle Grandi, Neb, Joe and Joe's Family (school custodians). These were the best people I have ever worked with to throw a party.

Most of all I want to bring attention to the great group of kids who came to Sober Grad Night. They had great attitudes all night.

Good luck in your future endeavors. You are the new generation that can and will make a difference in this world.

And, as for myself, it was my pleasure.

Jeri Spittler lives in Clearlake.