I believe in our institutions as the fairest and most beneficial form of government. Regretfully, individuals, after a long time in power, feel a sense of entitlement, a sense of us versus the people.

The Dinius case cast a pallor over Lake County, and made us seem like a “good ole boys” club. We rely on tourism and retirees to fuel our economic system, and just the hint of scandal could slow the constant renewal of both, which are desperately necessary to keep our standard of living.

This was more than a hint, in fact, aspersions were cast on our local justice system when our district attorney and sheriff both embarrassed our county by appearing to have tried to cover up a wrong doing. Perhaps this is a matter of perception, but in their positions of authority, that is enough.

That is why I support Don Anderson for district attorney, and Francisco Rivero for sheriff. We need to clean house and show that we are not run by an entrenched clique, or a rural backwater.

Term limits were set up for a reason, to keep government from being for the governors, not for the people.

Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.