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Opinion
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- Written by: Ron Green
I have been reliably informed that the State Bar of California has filed a complaint and is investigating District Attorney Jon Hopkins’ conduct in the Dinius boating case, primarily focusing on his outrageous open letter to the newspapers during jury selection.
Since Mr. Hopkins always says “integrity is my hallmark,” I call on him to immediately make public all letters from the State Bar concerning this investigation.
It’s time we know what Mr. Hopkins knows and when he knew it. After all, Mr. Hopkins is running for district attorney, a public office that requires integrity and transparency.
Although State Bar investigations are considered confidential, Mr. Hopkins can still release this information, since California Business and Professions Code Section 6086.1 specifically says the attorney under investigation may waive confidentiality.
There is no reason Mr. Hopkins could not release these letters and then explain his position, especially since he’s already demonstrated that he loves to write open letters to the papers when it suits him.
Shouldn’t the public be fully informed about this so we can decide whether to vote for a candidate for district attorney who might be suspended or even disbarred from the practice of law? Don’t the voters have a right to know?
How about a little honesty and transparency on this issue? Is that too much to ask for a candidate for District Attorney who runs on a platform of integrity, experience and professionalism?
Ron Green is an attorney based in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Commentary associated with recent Lake County News coverage of the proposed airport redevelopment project in the city of Clearlake indicates that many people may misunderstand both the Sierra Club's purpose in bringing legal action and also the extremely tenuous relation between this action and the city's fiscal straits.
The petition filed by the Sierra Club Lake Group has one purpose only: to compel the city to prepare an environmental impact report on the project. The legal necessity for doing this has been detailed in writing (twice) and in public hearings (twice), and also substantiated by expert testimony, but when the city chose to ignore this evidence, an appeal to the courts was the only recourse available to the club.
According to strict limitations governing such action this appeal had to be initiated within 30 days, meaning by March 26. It is however still very much within the city's power to avoid burdensome legal expenses, merely by revoking project approvals and doing the EIR according to the process mandated by state law. The Lake Group hopes that this sensible course of action will emerge from the compulsory reconciliation process that is expected to be scheduled soon.
For a more detailed discussion of club views on the project, please download the position paper at http://redwood.sierraclub.org/lake/Lowespositionpaper.pdf .
Whatever the city decides to do about the lawsuit, it has nothing to do with the municipality's possible bankruptcy, something that the city council has been discussing in open session since at least Feb. 11.
The Sierra Club didn't create Clearlake's depressing fiscal quagmire, nor are delays to the Lowe's project impeding a solution as has been asserted: the project would be unable to offer a near-term remedy even if the improbably rosy projections presented by the city manager proved accurate, since AT BEST it would take years for anticipated tax revenues to begin.
Legal action aside, the project would furthermore be delayed by the unavailability of sewer service until the very necessary system upgrades are complete, several years in the future at the very earliest.
As for the sewer, it’s hard to understand what the council had in mind in rescinding their partnership agreement with the county to provide a long-lasting fix to a system so faulty that raw sewage bubbles up around manhole covers.
Did they suppose that the upgrade will therefore have to be abandoned? If so do they accept the continuing pollution of city streets, local watercourses and Clear Lake, and the indefinite impediment to growth imposed by system undercapacity? Or did they assume that the county will move ahead anyway, as is the intention of LACOSAN and the Board of Supervisors?
Under that assumption, the council's action expressed its willingness to shift virtually the entire $5 million cost onto local ratepayers – who are also local voters who might be expected to voice their displeasure at the ballot box.
Clearlake residents and others concerned about what's going on at city hall would be well advised to convey their disapproval to the city council and city administrator. They can all be reached 707-994-8201.
Victoria Brandon lives in Lower Lake. She writes on behalf of the Sierra Club Lake Group.
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- Written by: Wendy Jensen
On Nov. 18, 2007, I did something that would not only change my life forever, but those lives around me, family, friends, neighbors, law enforcement and complete strangers. If I had only made one phone call I could have saved many from going through a living hell. One choice I made became a horrifying and haunting nightmare that I could not wake up from. That unforgettable night changed my life eternally.
Consequently on that November night, I chose to get behind the wheel of my SUV while severely intoxicated. So intoxicated in fact, that I had a two hour blackout until I woke up after hitting another vehicle head-on while driving the wrong way on the freeway.
It was estimated that I was going at a speed of 80 miles per hour. The man who I hit suffered punctured lungs, a lacerated liver, torn aorta, crushed right hand, both femurs were broken, and his face was fractured. As for me, it was a broken back, head lacerations and some cuts and bruises.
At the hospital I was charged with DUI causing bodily injury. When I was released from the hospital, I was taken straight to booking and then to a women's detention facility.
Like every other inmate there, I had nothing but time to reflect on my mistake and what had got me to this horrible place I was at in the first place. Every night going to bed, afraid, lonely, cold and wondering if the man that I had hit had survived the trauma I had caused, and when I would be able to hold my child again, praying that when I woke up I'd be in the safety of my own home and this freakish nightmare would be over with.
I have been given a second chance with life for which I should have died. From the grace of God, I'm here to present my story to help others live their lives in a more positive and meaningful way, instead of allowing poor choices to destroy their life and those around them, as it did in my case. I am proof that it can happen to anyone.
Since that dreadful night I have remained sober and have become a member of a group called Team DUI. It is a coalition of law enforcement, county and city officials, social service providers, educators and many others who have personal experiences with DUI-related incidents. I have been an active member for almost two years.
In striving to get my message out, I hope to prevent our youth and adults from repeating my own mistakes and poor choice to drink and drive. I have continually impacted my audiences in all of my presentations. I try my best to customize each of my presentations to fit the need of the topic in order to impact my audience so they will know the consequences of drinking and driving and how it not only affects them personally, but everyone around them.
In my presentations, I talk about in detail my crash, the time I spent in jail, and how the man who I hit has forgiven me and we are now working together as a team to bring the message to others.
I use graphic photos from my crash, poems and facts that lead up to the main topic of my personal story in which I tell in a third person, as if I were talking about someone else. The audience is then informed that the story that was just told to them was in fact, a reality of the woman standing before them.
I am on a mission. It is my destiny and purpose in this new life of mine to share my story and help save as many lives as I can by helping my audience make the right choices in life's chaotic journey.
Wendy Jensen is a local resident who is a member of Team DUI. She writes this to remind community members that April is Alcohol Awareness Month.
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- Written by: Sandra Orchid
This event was chaired and organized by Pam Scully, the owner of Lakeport Furniture. With the help of her daughter, Hannah, and husband, Andy Scully, they collected more than 20 silent auction prizes from local businesses.
Pam contributed a leather recliner from her store as a raffle prize. She was also responsible for negotiating with Glen Wienke, the owner of TJ’s Bar and Grill, to host our dinner at his new restaurant in Lakeport.
We will be forever grateful to Pam and her family for all their time and energy. We were also thrilled that a new restaurant in town so graciously donated their facility. We were served a fabulous Italian pasta dinner by a very attentive staff.
The following businesses donated a variety of silent auction items: Lakeport English Inn (Karen Mackey), The Locker Room, Flowers By Jackie, Sheri’s Secret Garden, Campos Casual, Candle Rebels (Amy Collins), Freedom Skate Shop, The Goldsmith Jeweler, Inspirations Gallery, Linda’s Hallmark, All About Me, Band Box, On The Waterfront, The Wright Look, Lakeport Furniture & Design, Lakeport Learning Center (Laura Hershey), TNT Fireworks, and T.A.C. Anthony’s Tanning Service.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful donated prizes. You have all helped in contributing to our scholarship funds.
Our next pageant will take place on Aug. 7 at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino. We will be crowning a new Miss Lake County and Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen. All participants in our pageant will receive an award.
For more information regarding our program and how you can become a contestant (young ladies ages 13 to 16 for the teen program and ages 17 to 24 for the Miss program), please call 707-277-0707 or email
Sandra Orchid is executive director of the Miss Lake County Scholarship Program.