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Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Philip Murphy
Last Thursday the director of Lake County Vector Control held a meeting of the board members at a time when she was certain I would be unable to attend, so I had no chance to defend myself against the onslaught of charges they recently leveled against me in the news media.
The first claim made was that I had not asked about any of the subjects mentioned in my recently published letter at the last board meeting (which took place eight days after I joined the Vector Control board).
They failed to mention that I had discussed nearly all of these matters with the director, failed to mention that I became aware of most of these matters after that meeting and failed to mention that if I'd waited for the next meeting to voice my concerns it would be too late to get the facts out to the voters.
Instead of addressing any of the statements I had made in that letter in a meaningful way, they elected to attempt to shoot the messenger instead, and went on to point out the obvious: we have more mosquitoes when it rains a lot in the spring.
The board also claimed that I had little understanding of their budget or the business they conducted, apparently they were unaware that I have more experience doing pest control work than most of the Vector Control staff, and that I also have considerable experience analyzing governmental budgets, everything from the superior courts to school districts.
Now the board says they'll answer my questions, but you have to show up at the next board meeting to do hear their explanations because ... well, I'm not sure why they couldn't just print them for everyone to see. But now that they've finally embraced transparency I have a few more questions, like:
Why is it when Vector Control was supposedly on the ropes financially Curt Giambruno apparently didn't have any suggestions as to how to how to fix that problem, but he twice tried to get the board to vote themselves a raise?
Why did the board do nothing when they were given copies of and asked about a news report that contained some very questionable claims about Vector Control, claims so shaky that the director expressed obvious embarrassment when I asked her about them later? Could it be that it was OK with them if data was wrong if it helped their case for the assessments or were they just not paying attention?
Did the board know I had told the director if she responded publicly to a citizen's published questions about Vector Control without addressing the misstatements in the media I would do it for her? All I wanted was to give the voters an even break, something the board and director seem inclined not to do.
The truth about Vector Control is they are an example of what is poisoning our system of government at every level: they have lost sight of their primary function and spend much of their time building a larger and more entrenched, less efficient bureaucracy and act as if every budget problem can be solved by simply raising taxes.
Phil Murphy, a Vector Control board member, lives in Finley.
Editor's note: Dr. Jamie Scott, Vector Control district manager, said the district board routinely reviews and updates existing district policies. In April of 2008 the district board reviewed its policy on in lieu of expenses to ensure that the reimbursement that the trustees received was adequate for the expenses incurred. She said that, over a couple of meetings, they concluded that no changes to the in lieu of expenses policy were needed.
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- Written by: Kevin Engle
The smell is so foul this year that many rumors were "floating" around about a sewage leak. City and state officials have determined that in fact, the culprit is not sewage, but a form of blue-green algae that emits a sulfurous smelling gas as it dies off. Rumors continue regarding the sewage leak and there are also whispers about some nasty bacterial infections associated to this muck.
I have seen no reports in print as to the exact nature of what the long-term health issues might be. I have seen (in print) warnings for boaters and swimmers. Officials recommend wearing a gas mask to launch a boat in this area. How bizarre! I have also seen warnings not to swim in this primordial ooze as skin irritations are likely. Yuck! Fishing, Lake County's biggest tourist attraction, has also been effected. Algae robs the water of oxygen, hence, the die off rate will undoubtedly increase as the summer progresses. I am sure that human respiratory illness will also be a factor. Might as well be sewage as it all sounds toxic to me no matter what it is. Boy howdy!
To my knowledge, city and county officials have made few attempts to resolve this problem with the exception of bringing in an air boat to blow the floating algae away from the park. That was a smart tact on the part of the city (if in fact it was done by the city). Recently, the county recruited volunteer firemen in an attempt to suck up the muck with a pump truck and then transfer it to the dump. This was a good idea but the pump kept getting plugged. Thanks for trying guys!
The real dilemma is that, due to the prevailing westerly winds, all the algae that was "blown" out of the park area just moved on down the line to the hotels and other businesses along Lakeshore Boulevard, increasing the bulk of the problem and stench for those in it's path.
Old Highway 53 is particularly inundated too as the westerly winds make this area the primary catchall for the worst it. As soon as you turn on to Old 53 the smell smacks you in the face. In some places, the algae is almost a foot thick.
This area of Clearlake also has a few long-established businesses as well as a large population of some of the county's poorest and most disadvantaged residents. These people live in trailer parks along the water. Many of these humble folks already have health issues and should not have to endure this debacle. Something must be done by our local public officials for the sake of it's residents. You'd think the Chamber of Commerce and the EPA would at least be up in arms.
OK, so now that I've taken a few cheap shots at our local officials, what is the solution to this rancorous problem?
First off, as a stop-gap measure, the city should bring in an air boat again or jet boats to clear out ALL of the marina's and little jetties which harbor boats. Most of all, the areas where the trailer parks are located on Old 53 are in dire need of attention. The city will probably need to do this on a continual basis through out the summer. This would make a big difference for the residents and commercial enterprises as well. Get 'er done. Please help! Our health and financial success is at stake here.
I note that the city has recently hired a consultant to oversee applications for the Obama stimulus package opportunities and "green economy" incentives. Bravo!
I have been researching these opportunities and while doing so, stumbled upon a new technology that would most assuredly solve the algae problem that has plagued Clear Lake for so long. Some resourceful individual has come up with a way to turn algae into biodiesel!
This could be a win-win situation if this "green" diesel can be manufactured in a cost effective method. The city could rid itself of the smell stigma, heath issues and financial losses endured by local residents and businesses alike in one fell swoop.
Invest in this "green" technology, Clearlake. It is likely that the city could, in fact, produce enough fuel to run all city vehicles with this "green-blue" energy source and possibly even have a surplus of fuel that could be sold (is that legal)?
Hey! Maybe some road repair revenue might even be tied to the sale of any excess fuel from a venture like this.
If you look for the silver lining in every storm cloud, good things will happen.
Go for it, Clearlake! Get 'er done.
Kevin Engle lives in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Curt Giambruno, Mel Gatton, Jim Hill and Chuck Leonard
Earlier this week, a letter about the district written by Mr. Philip Murphy – the district’s newest trustee— was published in this publication. It is unfortunate that he chose the media to advertise his dissatisfaction with the Lake County Vector Control District (LCVCD) instead of bringing his questions to the full board at a public meeting where action could be taken by the LCVCD Board to address any bona fide issues.
Phil Murphy had been on the LCVCD Board for only 22 days when his letter appeared; he was appointed to the LCVCD Board of Trustees on June 2, 2009. He attended his first LCVCD Board meeting on June 10, 2009, and asked no questions about any of the topics that he mentioned in his letter.
We are concerned that Mr. Murphy’s extremely short tenure on the board has not afforded him ample opportunity to understand the district’s routine activities, finances and policies, which are part of the LCVCD Board’s long-term strategic plan that will allow this agency to continue protecting public health and the local economy.
We agree that Lake County property owners should have the correct information before them when they vote on the benefit assessment; unfortunately Mr. Murphy’s letter does not accurately describe the issues that he addresses.
Mr. Murphy, although he is a trustee of the LCVCD, is not authorized to represent the district. His remarks were largely inaccurate and included many facts taken out of context.
For instance, he mentioned that requests for service were down 50-percent over the last two years; he neglected to mention that when our district manager reported on this at the June 10 board meeting, she explained that this was because we have had two consecutive years of low rainfall, and the lake level has left many mosquito sources dry this year.
Mr. Murphy further failed to mention that in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 the district responded to 183-percent more services requests than average – mosquito activity is correlated to weather, and while some years are drier than average, other years are much wetter, and create more larval mosquito habitat.
Likely because of his short time on the LCVCD Board, Mr. Murphy also was unaware that responding to service requests – while very important – is only a small part of the LCVCD’s overall responsibility; the district’s certified Vector Control technicians spend much of their time proactively treating for mosquitoes throughout the county.
We have numerous concerns about Mr. Murphy’s letter – not the least of which is his apparent unwillingness to ask his questions in an open and public meeting where some action could be taken by the LCVCD Board.
Nonetheless, Mr. Murphy’s concerns will be addressed by the board at its monthly public meeting at 1:30 p.m. on July 15 at LCVCD’s office at 410 Esplanade, Lakeport, CA 95453.
This meeting – like every other LCVCD Board meeting – is open to the public, and we welcome all members of the public who would like to attend.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call the district at 707-263-4770 or email us at
Curt Giambruno is LCVCD Board president; Mel Gatton is LCVCD Board secretary; and Jim Hill and Chuck Leonard are LCVCD trustees.
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- Written by: John E. Mack
DK was wearing an orange helmet, an orange life vest and was in an 8-foot kayak. The man ran him over, lied about it and has only been fined $343.
Channel 4 Seattle asked DK's father how he felt about this Father's Day. Dave Hermanson is very sad about DK's condition and also is concerned that other children on the lake will be hurt since there is no markings or speed limits.
There's a rowing club on the lake that supports local colleges and universities but still no speed limit for the kayaks, canoes, skulls, swimmers, rowboats and DKs!
Spread the word that if you want to speed your boat as fast as you can with no regard for others come to Lakewood, Wash., near Tacoma and run over as many as you can with little or no penalty from the Lakewood prosecuter because there are no laws regarding this matter.
Please help us introduce and pass the DK Ross law to zone speed limits on all recreational lakes.
John E. Mack lives in Tacoma, Wash.