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Letters
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- Written by: Michelle Scully
California Highway Patrol (CHP) statistics report that motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death among 15 to 20 year olds. Teen drivers are particularly susceptible to involvement in fatal accidents.
There are unique dangers inherent to driving on rural roads, and those dangers multiply when you add in the extra variables of other drivers driving recklessly or irresponsibly.
I wanted to share a resource with other parents in the hope that by accessing all of the driver training education we can for our kids, we can help to make our own and all those in our community wiser, and hopefully safer, to themselves and others.
The Start Smart program offered through CHP is a great resource. It’s targeted at young drivers (15-19) and their parents or guardians. It is a one-evening commitment and there is no cost associated with the program.
We have access to this program here in Lake County. My appreciation to Officers Steve Tanguay and Adam Garcia who presented the program and provided the information proactively and realistically.
My hope is that my sons are safe drivers who have a healthy fear of the realities of the road coupled with the skills and awareness to keep themselves and others safe.
Michelle Scully lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Wanda Harris
In just that short time, Pat has authored multiple pieces of legislation which have benefited people and businesses in Lake County.
In 2008, she ushered Senate Bill 607 though the Legislature in record time. Her bill, which the governor signed in June of that year, legalized competitions for home winemakers.
SB 607, which became law immediately, effectively saved a major source of fundraising for the Clear Lake Performing Arts, which promotes classical music and other artist endeavors in our county.
In 2007, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 319, another Wiggins bill that extended an exemption to state labor law allowing 16- and 17-year-olds in Lake County to work up to 10 hours a day and up to 60 hours a week in agricultural packing plants during harvest season (when school is not in session). This bill benefited both agricultural businesses and working families in our county.
While her time in the state Legislature will soon draw to a close, I feel that it is important for us to recognize Pat’s efforts on behalf of Lake County – as well as on behalf of her Senate District as a whole, not to mention our state – and to thank her for her work.
Wanda Harris lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Jim Steele
I know everyone has their own views on politics, but here’s mine for what its worth.
When my wife and I moved to Lake County we watched as the sheriff and district attorney made what seemed to be poor decisions in the Dinius and Perdock boating accident that resulted in a death.
It seemed neither could find a reason (or a valid reason why not) to bring to justice the person that caused the accident.
Speeding at 35 to 50-plus miles per hour in the black of a moonless night is the same as speeding during fog conditions or any other unsafe vehicle operation. There are many precedents in maritime law. So I asked the three district attorney candidates about this in the primary.
All three people in the race were very nice, intelligent and well spoken. You would invite them for dinner.
All had management experience and good educations in law and life. In fact, if I were to rank them on speaking qualities and maybe criminal law experience I would say 1. Jon Hopkins, 2. Doug Rhoades, 3. Don Anderson.
But after questioning them on the Dinius case it becomes very clear that only one has the clear judgment skills to see through the clutter of opinion and know that it was incumbent on the boat operator with the steerage way and higher speed to slow to a safe speed and navigate so damage would not be caused.
Even today, Hopkins and Rhoades cannot find a reason to charge Mr. Perdock or know he could have prevented the situation.
But yet, Anderson has no problem with clear logic and can explain his judgment for bringing an involuntary manslaughter charge for the speeding boater and operating under the influence against the sail boater.
The good judgment ability rating clearly goes to Don Anderson and a tie for very distant second goes to Hopkins and Rhoades.
It takes more than smooth speaking skills to make the right choices as district attorney; Mr. Hopkins demonstrated that more than once. I just don’t want us to make that mistake again with Rhoades.
Jim Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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- Written by: Patrick McMahon
In the same letter, Jack claimed, “I refused to join in personal attacks or rumor spreading and tried to stick to the issues of concern for our community.”
He goes on to claim how he kept an open mind and met with each candidate before deciding who to endorse.
I think there’s another side to this story.
In a June 1, 2010, article about campaign finances by lakeconews.com, a commenter using the screen name, “drjoaquin” posted:
“Mitchell, donation or bribe?
written by drjoaquin, June 01, 2010
A $10,000. contribution to Mitchell is quite a charge for a concealed weapons permit. I wonder how many other donors have CCW permits issued by Mitchell. If this is not an outright bribe what is it? What else is Mitchell doing for these generous special people? Would he do the same for those of us who don't have the cash to pay him off?”
Now I don’t know about you, but I would consider this comment a personal attack and rumor spreading. Seems to me the commenter is alleging improper conduct by a citizen and the sheriff with no apparent facts to back it up.
The donor who provided the contribution the comment referred to does not hold a concealed weapons permit nor have they applied for one.
Now in an August 18, 2010, lakconews.com article about Lakeport Police retirement package, we again hear from “drjoaquin,”, when he posts:
“Lakeport Police retirement
written by drjoaquin, August 19, 2010
I'm disappointed to see the City of Lakeport turn down the request for an improved retirement by their police officers. We are quite fortunate to have the good people we have here and failing to take care of their needs is a big mistake. Times are tough but these people have only to drive over the hill to double their salary. They are here because they want to be here and they do a fine job. I rate the current Lakeport PD as the finest in Lake County.
Remember Lakeport, you get exactly what you pay for.
Jack Baxter, Lakeport
As you can see, “drjoaquin” identifies himself as Jack Baxter.
Now, like Rivero, I don’t want Jack to dismiss this by claiming some type of mistaken identity, so I checked further.
“Drjoaquin” posts on another lakeconews.com article dated May 23, 2010, about the Clearlake Police Department. Again he identifies himself as Jack Baxter, but he goes even further and adds the fact that he is a candidate for the office of the sheriff. This is the post:
Clearlake Police Officers
written by drjoaquin, May 24, 2010
I'm disappointed to learn that Clearlake is having to lay off working Police Officers. Times are tough but In a time when crime is on the rise and police services are declining we can not afford to cat back on those who protect us. Taxes go up and services go down while our federal and state governments continue to throw money away to special interests leaving communities to fend for themselves.
You get what you pay for and with cutbacks in pay and benefits and job security a law enforcement career becomes much less attractive to good qualified candidates. In the long run playmng catch up in replacing these people when you can afford them will be more difficult and much more expensive. We must work smarter, reconsider priorities and use our officers where they will do the most good.
Jack Baxter, Lakeport
Candidate for Lake Co. Sheriff
I believe this is pretty conclusive proof that I have the right Jack Baxter.
In this last Lakeconews.com article (which chronologically was the first) from Sept. 3, 2009, before he announced his intention to run for sheriff, Jack Baxter not only participates in a personal attack against Sheriff Mitchell, but he then goes on to claim he was former captain from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
I’ll let you read it for yourself.
“Local
written by drjoaquin, November 23, 2009
Meno Co. Sheriff thinks Mirchell is a GOB.
Odd indeed. Sheriff lee Baca from LA Co. thought he was a dork and shared it with some of his senior staff ioncliuding yours truely a former LASD Captain now living in Lake Co.”
I assume, “Meno Co. Sheriff” refers to the Sheriff of Mendocino County, Tom Allman, who has endorsed Rod Mitchell for Sheriff.
Additionally, I’ve had several conversations with Jack Baxter, never once did he mention he was a retired captain from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Nowhere in his resume or on his political Web site did he list or claim that he ever even worked for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, let alone promoted to the position of Captain.
Holding such a position would have made him a much stronger candidate for sheriff in my opinion and failing to include this fact would be an unconscionable omission on his part. It wasn’t included because it is not true; in fact, he is a retired sergeant from the San Jose Police Department.
I also know that screen names for Lakeconews.com are individual and, unlike Topix, require a password to access them.
So yes, I think Jack Baxter has a credibility issue, and a BIG one. As such, we should view his comments with a very critical eye.
Jack Baxter says his mind wasn’t made up about who to endorse, but it’s clear now that it was.
Jack Baxter said he did not engage in personal attacks or rumor spreading, but it’s clear that he did.
Jack Baxter now endorses Francisco Rivero.
Jack Baxter says he wasn’t promised a job.
Patrick McMahon lives in Middletown, Calif.
NOTE: Links to all of the stories and comments are listed below in the order they appear.
Links:
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/14258/919/ - June 1, 2010 Campaign finance story
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/15453/919/ - August 18, 2010 Lakeport PD story
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/14093/919/ - May 23, 2010 Clearlake PD story
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/10156/764/ - Sept, 3 2009