How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Thanks go to Marie Beery and her able staff for hosting and presenting the dinner. Marie has been hosting this fundraising dinner for the Land Trust for many years and it is greatly appreciated. David Neft, of Middletown, contributed his excellent piano playing for the social hour period of the event. Dennis Darling, of Foods Etc. contributed $300 to help support the dinner. Excellent Lake County wines were provided by: Dusinberre Cellars, Gregory Graham Wines, Langtry Estates, Moore Family Winery, Shannon Ridge Winery, Six Sigma, Steele Wines, Tulip Hill and Wildhurst.
Many local artists donated paintings that were either sold at the event, or will be available at the October land trust dinner. Artists contributing their work this year were: Jack Ballance, Judy Cardinale, Marcie Dowdy, John Eells, Jacqueline Farley, Meredith Gambrell, Renee Geare, Barbara LaVasseur, Lyle Madeson, Phil Mathewson, Bob Minenna, Timothy Moen, Patty Oats, Betty O’Quinn, Ann Orpustan, Carmen Patterson, Linda Richmond, Richard Seisser and Jackie Smythe.
The Lake County Land Trust is dedicated to preserving Lake County’s natural resources through education, cooperation and preservation. Go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org for more information or if you would like to become a contributor.
Roberta Lyons is a member of the Lake County Land Trust. She lives in Lower Lake.
- Details
- Written by: Steve Brooks
Sheriff candidate Francisco Rivero’s position concerning the marijuana problem in Lake County is disturbing. To a small crowd in Upper Lake on April 20, Rivero said, “I believe that the sheriff’s department should back away from 99.9 percent of the enforcement of marijuana inside this county.”
What does this 99.9 percent mean in real terms? In 2009 alone it meant well over one million marijuana plants worth at least $5 billion tax-free dollars protected by more than 100 heavily armed gangsters.
Criminal marijuana is big business and it directly impacts tax-paying, law-abiding citizens:
• Our local National Forest properties are made dangerous by heavily armed criminals.
• Large, criminal marijuana grows wreak havoc on vital Lake County habitats and pollute our public waterways.
• Rural and isolated property owners are at risk from heavily armed predators seeking privacy for criminal grow sites – grow sites worth millions in tax-free dollars.
• Recently, our communities’ public streets have become the scenes of reprisals and threatening behavior toward those who oppose Lake County’s predatory criminal growers.
With his position statement, Francisco Rivero has effectively drawn a line in the sand – with those who chose to obey the laws and pay their taxes on one side and the criminal tax evaders on the other. On which side does Rivero’s 99.9 percent have him standing?
The Rivero for Sheriff Web site proudly displays the endorsements of people who are under federal indictment for marijuana cultivation and tax evasion. Other endorsers are listed who face state charges for being armed while transporting marijuana. I am thankful that Sheriff Mitchell doesn’t seem to get the felony drug crowd vote.
The issue at hand does not concern medical marijuana. Our problem is not a couple of privately owned plants in somebody’s backyard. This is about big money and the violence needed to keep it and there have been multiple murders committed by career criminals – right here in Lake County to prove it.
Here’s the good news – in 2009, we arrested dozens of armed criminals and halted the distribution of large amounts of foreign chemicals into our waterways. We’ve hit the criminal growers hard, and repeatedly.
Let me be candid with you, Sheriff Mitchell doesn’t ask deputies to get cats out of trees or increase revenue with traffic tickets. He requires us to take the fight to those who would criminally and violently destroy our way of life. If you’ve lived in our county since the 1980s, you’ll see we’ve done a good job of it.
Unfortunately, as long as there’s illicit money to be made in drugs, desperate groups will try to plant marijuana in rural Lake County. None of that is news.
What is disappointingly noteworthy is a sheriff’s candidate who shares the position of organized crime. The brave members of our department do not.
As long as Sheriff Mitchell runs our department, this will be a bad place to be a criminal.
Steve Brooks is a detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He lives in Kelseyville.
- Details
- Written by: Gloria Flaherty
I write regarding the upcoming election for Lake County superintendent of schools.
I have known and liked both candidates personally for many years; however, I am compelled to advocate and vote for Wally Holbrook.
There have been numerous letters regarding Wally’s integrity and honesty, his experience, his skill at building consensus and his knowledge regarding the educational system from top to bottom.
That is all true – and it is a reason for my support – but it is not the primary reason I support Wally, and have done so for many years.
Wally Holbrook has compassion and empathy for kids and a passion for their education that is seldom seen in California. He holds kids and their best interest close to his heart and at the center of each decision.
If our interest is what is best for the children of Lake County, then we will decisively elect Wally Holbrook as superintendent of schools. Please join me in supporting Wally – you won’t regret it!
Gloria Flaherty lives in Kelseyville.
- Details
- Written by: David W. Smith
Everyone who knows me knows that I am a strong supporter of the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. Here is what I would like to present.
For many years now, we have ALL seen the affects of the “good ol' boy” syndrome in our beloved county, however, we now have the chance to change all of that.
At a town hall forum for IHSS, the group was blessed by a visit from Denise Rushing, Joyce Overton and Robert Hesterberg. Gary Lewis and Jeff Smith didn't even give us the time of day, citing “county negotiations.” Mr. Lewis isn't even a board member, but cited negotiations?
When all was said and done; our group voted to support Denise and Joyce. Mr. Hesterberg gave a great run, and made it difficult for our group, but Denise won out in the end. The California United Homecare Workers Union is “proudly” endorsing Denise and Joyce.
Mr. Smith and Mr. Lewis have been a part of the “good ol' boys” and should kindly step aside. It's time for change.
If you cannot respect your constituents by being there for them, then you need to find other avenues that benefit yourselves.
David W. Smith lives in Nice.