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Opinion
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- Written by: Barbara Christwitz
"Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!" were the words of Union naval officer David Farragut in 1864 as he moved through the heavily mined Mobile Bay, center of the Confederate blockade. (Mines at that time were known as torpedoes.)
Farragut's quote occurred to me after Clearlake Planning Commission members expressed their enthusiasm on Dec. 16 for the idea of the proposed Provinsalia development which could become the largest housing project in the history of our city. This enthusiasm was in spite of the prior Dec. 2 Planning Commission meeting in which the bulk of the public comment articulately, passionately and wisely voiced its opposition to building this development.
Never mind the torpedoes of our time:
Torpedo 1: severe local and regional drought (golf courses need incredible water);
Torpedo 2: economic decline ( we hope “collapse” is too strong a word);
Torpedo 3: environmental decay;
Torpedo 4: scarce (and getting scarcer) natural resources;
Torpedo 5: home loan failures at record highs.
I can understand our city’s leaders wanting to raise our standard of living here in Clearlake at least to the level of other Lake County towns; however, I believe a Provinsalia would backfire at this point in history in that attempt. We would be better to promote the sale and renovation of our present numerous vacant homes.
I suggest leaders promote environmentally friendly cottage industries, private industry, drug/alcohol counseling and education for our city. Continue to improve the streets we have rather than build new ones. We can improve our quality of life here in Clearlake without desecrating our wild spaces.
Farragut seemed to luck out in that he made it through Mobile Bay; however, that is where the analogy breaks down. I predict we wouldn’t be so lucky. This project would be a blight on our city, and our children will ask, “What were they thinking?”
Barbara Christwitz lives in Clearlake.
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- Written by: Bron Locke
However, on seven separate occasions now, I’ve caved and given them what it is they ask for. I sincerely hope that EVERYONE who has driven past them has also taken the time to spare what they ask for.
What is it they are requesting with their old cardboard sign with black magic marker lettering? A smile, the sign reads “Spare a Smile.” So simple a request, yet I can’t help but wonder how many people haven’t given in to their selfless request. I’d imagine there are those who see the sign and the young people and, rather than read the sign, assume it says something like “Will work for food” or “Need money for heat.” Sadly, even those signs shouldn’t be ignored.
But a sign saying “Spare a smile”? No, this request is too curious and too out-of-the-ordinary to deny. As a cynic, the first time I smiled I did so to see what the “catch” was. Catch turned out to be that I had to suffer through returned smiles and “peace signs.” Now, this cynic has given them numerous smiles and waves, I even took the time once to drive up toward Walmart, turn around, and then back down on my way to a meeting in Clearlake. One day, when it was warm and my side window was down, I was even greeted with “God bless and have a nice day.”
I don’t care what the motives are. I don’t care why they are doing what they are doing. I simply care that there are two outstanding young people in our county willing to suffer through the bitter cold just to see myself, and everyone else, smile. The Lord knows with the wars, terrorism, economic crisis, poverty and hunger in the world we all have plenty to frown about. It’s nice to have someone give everyone a reason to smile.
I hope that some day I have time to stop and thank them personally for their efforts and I hope that all passersby reward them with a smile and a wave.
If the two youngsters are reading this, thank you for making this cynic smile.
Bron Locke lives in Clearlake Oaks.
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- Written by: Steve Mayfield
Jan-Mar Corp
Tony Bordessa Construction
Congressman Mike Thompson
Pacific Gas & Electric
Hidden Valley Storage
Albion Surveys
Hardester's Markets
Action Sanitary
Griffin's Furniture
Twin Pine's Casino
St. Helena Hospital Redbud
Lake County Screen Printing
Lakeshore Bait & Tackle
Foods Etc.
Mendo Mill
Spruce Grove Storage
Chernoh Excavating
Langtry Estate & Vineyard
Brian Grey Orthodontics
Konocti Dance Academy
The board will hold its annual bylaws meeting and election of new board members at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Hidden Valley Community Services District office, 19400 Hartmann Road. Several open positions must be filled to ensure another successful season next year.
Visit the league online at www.clearlakeysl.org.
Cobb resident Steve Mayfield is president of the CYSL Soccer Board.
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- Written by: Chris Buehnerkemper, Erik Hagberg and Bob Mayer
This year the program helped provide Christmas gifts and food for over 180 Lakeport students and many needy families.
A very special thank you goes out to the Lakeport Rotary, Lakeport Kiwanis, Catfish Books and Grocery Outlet who went out of their ways to help our program.
We also want to thank the following Clear Lake High students who helped organize, wrap and deliver gifts: Amanda Hiatt, Shana Hiatt, Erik Hagberg, Chris Buehnerkemper, Ethan Kieffer, Laura Pankratz, Claire Mansell, Danielle Howard, Charnee Vincent, Erin O'Rourke, Kathleen O'Rourke and Jen Humble.
Thanks again to everyone who helped make our 15th annual “Christmas 4 Kids Program” a big success.
Happy Holidays to all!
Chris Buehnerkemper, chairman; Erik Hagberg, co-chair; and Bob Mayer, Clear Lake High School assistant principal, for the “Christmas 4 Kids Program” program.
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