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Opinion
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- Written by: Victoria Brandon
Like many other Lake County citizens, I've had a hard time making up my mind about the sheriff's race this year.
On the one hand, Rod Mitchell's management of his department has sometimes seemed grievously defective, as demonstrated not only by the well-publicized Dinius and Garzoli cases but also by lackadaisical enforcement of the county's ordinance protecting our waterways from catastrophic infestation by invasive quagga/zebra mussels.
On the other hand, challenger Francisco Rivero's leadership abilities trouble me deeply. Although he has charismatic personal qualities and lots of good ideas, his repeated assaults on the officers he would be called upon to lead make his effectiveness as department head seem extremely doubtful; his apparent inability to follow orders and his unwillingness to explicitly repudiate the nasty anonymous bloggers whose fetid verbal assaults have sullied this election also demonstrate extremely questionable characteristics.
Nothing that occurred at the May 5 candidate debate in Middletown lessened my doubts about either of these contenders (quite the contrary), but this occasion did provide my first opportunity to observe a very viable alternative, and to conclude that Jack Baxter's immense experience, solid integrity and evident good sense are exactly what's needed in the sheriff's office.
It's also important to remember that a vote for Baxter carries no risk of “throwing” the election to either Mitchell or Rivero, since neither can win without obtaining more than 50 percent of the vote; merely coming out first will not suffice. This consideration may be important to voters whose are primarily motivated by opposition to one of the other two candidates, as well as to those who share my grave doubts about both.
I urge undecided members of our community to learn more about Jack Baxter by visiting www.baxterforsheriff.com, and then to join me in voting for him on June 8.
Victoria Brandon lives in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Pete McGee
I am supporting Wally Holbrook for superintendent of Lake County schools. I am impressed with his character, and also with his resume.
Wally has been a district superintendent of several other similar school districts in his career. Wally is intimately familiar with the fiscal challenges of leading smaller, unified school districts like Middletown, Konocti, Lakeport and Kelseyville.
Additionally, because of his leadership coaching experience, Wally has had recent affiliation with the superintendents, principals and teachers in these districts.
Wally understands many of the issues and challenges ahead in education. I am hopeful and confident Wally will do an excellent job when elected.
Pete McGee lives in Middletown.
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- Written by: Pam Cochrane
As county clerk and auditor-controller, I generally do not endorse candidates for local elections.
I was surprised to see my name on Judy Luchsinger's list of supporters. Judy has been contacted and will remove my name from her list of supporters.
As a result of the ad in the Record-Bee, I feel compelled to share my support and endorsement of Wally Holbrook for Lake County Superintendent of Schools.
Pam Cochrane lives in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Janel Chapman
The time is now to bring honesty and integrity to the Lake County Office of Education. You will do that by electing Wally Holbrook as your next lake county superintendent of schools.
Wally has seen a wide spectrum in public education. He has been a teacher, a principal and a district superintendent. As such, he has seen the need that schools have at all levels. He has been successful in all of these positions.
Wally’s experience is recent. He has not been out of education for the past 14 years as his opponent has. Instead, he has been in the trenches working to try to bring a better education to the children of Lake County. He knows what is going on in education today.
When you take a look at the endorsements for each of the candidates, you will see that many of Wally Holbrook’s supporters are educators, several of them having been in education here in Lake County for 25 or more years. These are the people who know both candidates and have seen both in action. This is the reason that they are supporting Wally Holbrook.
I grew up in the educational world. My father was an exceptional educator. He was a teacher, an assistant principal and the assistant county superintendent of schools. I grew up knowing Wally Holbrook’s opponent from the time I was a child. I worked in the Lake County Office of Education in the 1980s when Wally’s opponent was the superintendent of schools. It is because of these experiences that I support Wally Holbrook.
Today’s leaders must have the ability to lead others to be the best that they can be. They must do so ethically, with integrity, and with serving by example. I believe that Wally is the only candidate who has the ability to do just that.
Janel Chapman lives in Lakeport.