How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Letters
- Details
- Written by: Dana Kearney
He said he’d require psychological exams for concealed weapons permits before he changed his mind after hearing “push-back” from voters. What will he do if elected?
He wanted to do away with the take-home-car policy before feeling the “push-back,” so now he claims he'll keep it. What will he do if elected?
He accused the entire department of racism and racial profiling on KGO TV; then later backpedaled to just a few deputies, then to just one, then to well … None. Even that claim turned out to be false. What will he do if elected?
He said he was going to fire all of the “good old boys” deputies, but has recently said that everyone will start with a clean slate. What will he do if elected?
The only thing consistent about Francisco Rivero is that he is consistently changing his story – about everything.
Dana Kearney lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Becky Curry and Wanda Harris
Our event this year honored the lifetime career and contributions of Sen. Pat Wiggins. Lake County is a better place, thanks to the Senator's tireless leadership.
We are grateful that our Democratic legislative representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro and Assemblywoman Noreen Evans – were able to attend.
The community support is always appreciated and this year our thanks go to Shannon Ridge, Shedhorn, Guenoc, La Brenta and Tulip Hill Wineries.
The Saw Shop, Girlfriends Salon, Backyard Garden Oasis,the Edgewater Resort, Bikram Yoga, Happy Garden Restaurant, Lakeport English Inn, Watershed Books, Butterfly Skin Essentials, the Main Street Bar & Grill and David Engle Hair Designs supported us by donating to the silent auction. Their contributions are invaluable.
Support from our labor sponsors, the Classified School Employees Association, North Bay; the California Teachers Association; North Bay Labor Council; Operating Engineers Local 3 Unit 10, IBEW Local 551, SEIU Local 1021, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake Building and Trades Council, and
United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38, is gratefully appreciated.
Special thanks go to Assemblyman Wes Chesbro and Assemblywoman Noreen Evans for their generous contributions, as well as local sponsors, Audrey Perry and Wendy White.
Thanks to Clearlake City Council candidate Joey Luiz for leading the ceremonies.
Local musicians, Sarah and David Ryan, the Blue Moon Duet, brightened the day by lending their special talents to the day's activities and we are grateful to them for providing entertainment for our guests.
The barbecue could not have happened without the hard work of the members of the Democratic Party of Lake County.
Luisa Acosta and Evan Willig provided the excellent meal. Celesta and Norm Deter once again organized and mounted a beautiful silent auction.
Mark Wickhamshire, chair of the Stonewall Democratic club, and Stonewall members, and Carol Bettencourt, chair of the Lake County Democratic Club and the members of that club, were all tireless in giving their support.
Lakeport City Councilwoman Suzanne Lyons, Lakeport City Council candidate George Spurr, Clearlake City Council candidate Jeri Spittler, Lake County District Attorney candidate Doug Rhoades, Lake County Democratic party members James Evans, Laurel Groshong, Paula Mune, Wanda Quitiquit, Jennifer Popovich, Shirley Howland, Jack Troyer, Wendy White and numerous others deserve our gratitude.
Melissa Swanson with the city of Clearlake was great to work with and we look forward to having the event at the Clearlake Senior Center again next year.
Thanks to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you at another successful event next year.
Becky Curry and Wanda Harris are co-chairs for the Lake County Democratic Party's annual Democratic Legislators Barbecue fundraiser.
- Details
- Written by: Howard Glasser
He did die in that we can no longer bask in his smile, be warmed by his hug or feel that life will be as good as it was when he was here.
How does such a man affect our lives? It’s not what he does. It’s who he is. It's too personal to describe. It’s irreplaceable.
Being in Zino’s presence somehow gave you the feeling that though the world was sometimes frightening and disappointing, it was not as bad as all that.
He was a reminder of what is good in our lives and the joy that wants to flower in our hearts. His eyes were full of kindness and understanding. He was a balm in our troubled times. He was our favorite poem. He was everything we’d want to remember.
Zino achieved in life what few do. He was for everyone who met him, someone they could never forget. Something great and wonderful was taken from us when Zino was suddenly lifted from our presence.
Our immediate reaction is a loss so deep that we have been robbed of what we considered most precious.
So how can Zino die? If there is any consolation it is that we cared so much for him that we will not let what he gave us go.
Though he will not be there to smile and greet us, to love and hug us, he will always and forever be there if we let him, helping flowers grow in our heart.
There is no good way to say goodbye to Zino. I choose to instead simply thank him and in tribute, try and follow his example of how one warm and very special person can make such a difference in our lives.
Howard Glasser lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Mary-Grace McMahon
He has been endorsed by the Clear Lake Area Association of Highway Patrolman (those who work for California Highway Patrol), the Lake County Deputy Sheriffs Association (the deputies who work for and with him), the Lake County Correctional Officers’ Association (those officers who work in the jail), Lake County Peace Officers Association, National Riffle Association and the Police Officers Research Association of California.
Of these associations, there are those who are members who have also personally endorsed him.
From Lake County alone he has been endorsed by 94 active officers, deputies, sergeants, investigators (and their spouses), 25 retired officers and deputies, 14 volunteers and two reserve deputies.
Along with, but not limited to, are the current Napa County Sheriff Doug Koford, Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman, plus two former Lake County sheriffs, Ray Benevedes and James Wright, Lakeport Police Chief Police Kevin Burke and retired Chief Investigator Richard Austring of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office.
These people are all experts in law enforcement and they wholeheartedly endorse Sheriff Mitchell.
I haven’t even begun to mention the thousands of citizen endorsements he has been given. These are people from every walk and ethnicity. Prominent doctors, vineyard and winery owners, lawyers (defense and prosecutors), nurses, large construction company owners and workers, teachers, grocery store owners, dairy distributors, secretaries, hairdressers, small store owners and homemakers. Those who make up our community here in Lake County and know that Sheriff Mitchell is the right choice for us.
There are also quite a large number of those who cannot publicly endorse the sheriff because of their nonpartisan positions in our community. They, too, are working very diligently alongside us on his campaign to ensure that Sheriff Mitchell remains the leader of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
A quote from a supporter who wishes to remain anonymous:
“Under Sheriff Mitchell’s tenure, the SWAT team went from a few guys with no training and few confiscated guns to an actual properly equipped team with valid training through POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training). The video systems in the cars, designed to protect both the public and the deputies were put into place as was the K-9 program.
“There have been 17 citizens’ academies which had instructed somewhere around 300 citizens of this county on the duties and responsibilities of their sworn law enforcement officers free of charge. The take-home car policy saved taxpayer’s money and made deputies more accountable for their assigned vehicles.
“Local vendors are given preference when bidding on contracts with the county as long as they are within a certain percentage of lowest bids. This keeps jobs and money circulating in Lake County and keeps the bidding process competitive. Local residents who get hired in the jail can now be put through the academy by the county if they qualify and are interested. This local hiring slows the turnover rate, which has been a problem and will continue to be a problem for the foreseeable future.
“No one expects Lake County to be on par with nearby agencies in Sonoma and Napa with regards to salary, benefits and even training, but the sheriff has done an excellent job improving the conditions that he has control over. (Anyone) claiming you’re going to be able to implement these grandiose plans without explaining how you’re going to fund them is akin to making empty campaign promises.
“Remember if (Sheriff Mitchell’s opponent) wins he still has to fund an undersheriff position which will take away nearly 10 percent of the patrol force, and fund his civilian review board. Even if they work for free they are going to need office space and office supplies, computers, network access, expenses etc. These things don’t come cheap.”
The one thing I believe Sheriff Mitchell is most proud of, because he has been able to save money and not operate this department in the red like many other departments, is that there has been no need for lay offs of deputies while he has been in office.
I am no expert, but I do trust the experts who have worked shoulder to shoulder with him and believe in our sheriff.
Not one local law enforcement officer or group has publicly endorsed his opponent.
Mary-Grace McMahon is a member of the Mitchell campaign team. She lives in Middletown.