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Letters
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- Written by: Judy Thein
On June 9 the proposed 2011-12 budget will come before the Clearlake City Council for adoption.
The proposed budget includes staff changes providing salary increases for all noncontract employees, increases in management salaries, and increasing general fund part time positions to full time positions.
While these changes are all being proposed, public safety is in jeopardy.
Presently, our police department is down 14.5 officers. The current staffing level consists of one chief of police, one administrative sergeant, three patrol sergeants, one acting watch commander, seven patrol officers, one detective, one part-time sergeant investigator and five dispatchers to cover continual 24-7 shifts.
This does not cover officers who must appear in court which can further reduce this level. This is an alarming description of staffing levels for our police department which provides for a population of nearly 15,000 people.
What is even more alarming is that our officers and dispatchers are working under tremendous handicaps because of the grossly understaffed department. They are working beyond capacity, trying to keep up with the needs of our community.
Soon the state will be releasing additional felons from state prisons back into our community. All of this has the capability of jeopardizing officer safety and community safety as calls for service will continue to increase.
Another alarming factor is the recent overtime costs incurred in the police department because of the lack of staffing.
During a recent two-week payroll period, $10,000 was spent in overtime and 123 hours of comp time was incurred for an approximate total of $13,000 for a two week period. We cannot continue to do this.
The dedication of our officers to our community embodies the description of public safety. There are members of law enforcement personnel who are willing to forgo any salary increase at this time in order to begin building back the level of staffing within their department. They are offering this sacrifice for the betterment of our community.
Each day our officers are faced with difficult decisions. Fortunately for the city of Clearlake, our officers and dispatchers are dedicated to public safety at the highest level possible. Each day this dedicated team stands prepared to give their lives to protect the citizens of Clearlake. They, along with our citizens, deserve better than what this proposed budget is offering.
Three years ago, we made difficult decisions to reduce costs which included reducing city services with the intent of keeping our city viable. Both employees and our community worked together during these difficult years. Because of those decisions and the tenacity of all, we were able to keep our city viable while building a once invisible reserve into a small reserve at this present time.
Now is not the time to spend resources on increasing personnel costs. If we do this, then we are misleading the public concerning the sacrifices that were made.
While all employees certainly deserve salary increases for their hard work and dedication to the community, our first priority must be to concentrate on restoring public safety which directly affects the citizens of our community.
Once public safety is restored, then we can begin looking at other areas for adjustments.
I encourage anyone to come to the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. to support restoring public safety.
Judy Thein is a member of the city council of the city of Clearlake, Calif.
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- Written by: Missy Hill
A fundraiser on Saturday, June 4, during Wild West Day in Upper Lake raised $633.30 to help 4-year-old Jenni Rivera-Cervantes, who recently was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
I would like to thank all the sponsors: my family for the cord of wood, Tallman Hotel, Lakeview Supermarket, Judy's Junction, Ana Santana for a flower arrangement.
Thanks also to my husband for manning the booth when I needed a break and for literally dragging people off the street to buy tickets; Tammy Alakszay for helping all day; Nor Cal Moto & Speed Equipment for giving me the space; to Jenni who came down to draw the winning tickets; to Lake County News for running her story; and to everyone who bought tickets.
I felt an amazing sense of satisfaction for being able to pull this all together with everybody's help!
Missy Hill lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Ron Green
I don't know who decided this, but I urge the board to please reconsider and hold it where it belongs, at the board chambers at the courthouse, which is traditionally the people's venue where they can be heard.
Democracy demands that the board not succumb to one isolated bomb threat (which I firmly believe was by a “no dispensary” idiot masquerading as a “pro dispensary” person in order to sabotage the medical marijuana movement).
There are simply scores of patients and other interested citizens that feel disrespected and that they are being made into second class citizens and will NOT attend a meeting at the jail. Democracy demands a fair hearing at the usual venue, the board chambers.
We have had many dispensary meetings there without incident. To succumb to one idiot and one isolated incident is insane!
I very much doubt another bomb threat will occur, but just in case, make the courthouse more secure, so you know it is an empty threat if it occurs again, and have a bomb squad and bomb searching dog on hand just in case, but please do not move the meeting to the jail.
I urge others to contact the supervisors and urge them to hold the meeting where it belongs, at the courthouse in the Board of Supervisors chambers.
Ron Green is an attorney. He lives in Lower Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
Government is supposed to serve the people, not be a place for self-serving and infighting between public agencies and employees.
Sure, change is tough, but life changes and sometimes it benefits you and sometimes it doesn't.
So your candidate lost the election, he did it by his own actions during the Dinius case.
Usually an incumbent has the inside track, but the voters expressed themselves in the only way they are supposed to.
The new sheriff is not perfect, but he is a breath of fresh air, forcing our local law enforcement to step back and reevaluate themselves.
I commend Philip for expressing his opinion, which – though not always popular – is often uncomfortably valid.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.