Letters

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Written by: Jeri Spittler

Published: 07 June 2010

Jeri Spittler during the cleanup project on Austin Resort in Clearlake, Calif., on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Photo by Rick Mayo.

It is truly a privilege and a pleasure to thank everyone who made last Saturday's “Grassroots Redevelopment Project” in Clearlake such a fantastic success, but I hardly know how to begin to thank so many people who came out to work so hard.

Not only did we have wonderful sponsors, not only were did the people working on the site do a fantastic job – even the folks driving by did their parts by

shouting encouragement (“looking good!”) and honking in support.

City Public Works Director Doug Herren came early, stayed late and ran a paint sprayer all day. City Clerk Melissa Swanson came early to sign the workers in.

Four Corners Hardware sent a paid employee, Chris Perry, to help us unlock some doors to which no one had a key, then worked all day on the store's payroll. Jesse from Four Corners checked on the project regularly to make sure we had every thing we needed.

Mendo Mill not only donated all the paint (20 gallons total), at the end of the day they gave us another five gallons so we could finish the job.

Dale (the biker dude) brought a utility truck with lots of tools and offered the project many skills whenever needed; I have never met this man before and don't know his full name, but he stayed till it was done. My husband Tony: you are my best friend and a hard working man.

Many thanks also to our other sponsors: Valley Glass, Perfect Printers, Randy Hare Signs, Ricky's Tee Service, Rob's Dirty Work, Foods Etc, Estelle Creel, Girlfriends, Strohmeyers Plumbing, Highlands Nursery, Lakeside Herbal Solutions and Danny Gay for providing the beautiful steel grill for the barbecue.

Jarret Anaraki, Victoria Bean, Richard Berriz, Kenin Bettencourt, Jessie Boyd, Victoria Brandon, Liz Byrd, Sadie Carr, Renee Dothage, Keith Eaton, Stan Egger, Robert Fortin, Herb Gura, Morgan Herman, Joey Luiz, Chris Nuzzo, Frank Nuzzo, Michael Nuzzo, L Reike, Anthony Spittler, Jeri Spittler, Glen Thomas, Marilyn Thomas, Keira Welsh, Dustin Wilson Jr. and D'Angelo Wilson all gave the gift of their labor on a beautiful Saturday in June. So did all the children who picked up trash and helped clean the park.

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. At the end of the day a neglected eyesore had become a building that we can all be proud of. The people who supported this project and made it a huge success are all Stars of Lake County. You are the shakers and makers, my hat is off to you. Clearlake Rocks.

Jeri Spittler lives in Clearlake.

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Written by: Melissa Fulton

Published: 06 June 2010

The Lake County Chamber wishes to thank our major Memorial Day Parade sponsor this year, Westamerica Bank, which has sponsored this parade for several years. Also, for the past 19 years, the judges' stand was provided courtesy of Piedmont Lumber & Nursery. Our announcer was Paul Reading of Piedmont Lumber. Paul has graciously volunteered for several years to handle this sometimes-challenging task and always does an excellent job.

Our judges this year were: Margaret Silveira, city manager of Lakeport; Ted Mandrones, marketing director for Piedmont Lumber & Nursery; Chuck Holder, owner of Holder Ford Mercury; and Kim Cipro, California State Horsemen's Association, who judged our equestrian entries.

We had a special treat this year, our national anthem was sung by Mckenna Rose Enger, age 7, from Middletown. Mckenna was born with spina bifida but has proven herself to be a hero to everyone around her. Through the Make A Wish Foundation, Mckenna realized a special Wish on May 8 when she sang the national anthem at the Lakeport Speedway.

Because of Mckenna, who is now known as the Lakeport Speedway Princess, there is a fundraiser being held all this summer for the Make A Wish Foundation. Thank you to Mckenna and her family for sharing her with us this year. Thanks to Mckenna’s grandmother, Marsha, for helping to decorate our stage.

Again this year, John Fulton made sure our stage had tables, chairs and the sound system for announcing the parade.

The Lake County Chamber Board of Directors also expresses their gratitude to the city of Lakeport Public Works Department for their assistance with street barricades and the Lakeport Police Department for their assistance with traffic control.

Many thanks to longtime parade lineup Chair Ginny Clinton and her husband Barry, who have worked this parade for the Chamber since 1992. They were ably assisted by Chamber Director Gloria Flaherty of Lake Family Resource Center, Nicole Johnson, executive assistant in the chamber office, her mother Eileen Johnson, Dianna Hendrick and son Eli Hendrick, We are fortunate to have office manager Stephanie Codling and several chamber office volunteers who help us with organizing the parade entries: Myra Wendt, Pat Norcio, Shirley Younce, Bill Knoll and Barbara Lee Conley.

Parade awards will be mailed to all the winning entries. Congratulations to our Grand Sweepstakes winner, the Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 23 North, who also won the Theme Award. Judges Choice went to the Clear Lake High School Marching Band.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to bring this parade to Main Street, Lakeport and to all who watched and applauded along the parade route.

Melissa Fulton is chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, based in Lakeport.

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Written by: Jack Baxter

Published: 05 June 2010

I would like to address Rodney Mitchell’s erroneous statements in his campaign ads in the Record-Bee.

Once again he has misrepresented my public statements concerning my plans to increase the size of patrol services and decrease response times to calls for service, particularly in our south county.

Mitchell: Some candidates for sheriff promise to double the size of the patrol force, or add lots of special units and positions … Of course that means a lot more patrol cars, training expenditures, increased office space and a lot of new equipment. Presumably, they’ll find it with magic fairy dust.

Jack Baxter: Perhaps you did not understand or chose to misinform the public as what I have repeatedly said.

I do intend to increase the size of the patrol force and reduce response times to calls for service. I do plan on making patrol more accessible to the community we service.

I will do so by reassigning personnel and responsibilities to make them more efficient, more accountable and make better use of what we have.

I did not say I would create lots of specials units. What I said is that I will evaluate each unit to combine tasks and responsibilities thus make them more efficient, accountable and successful.

This requires no additional cars, training expenditures, office space or new equipment. I will see to it that we work smarter and make better, more efficient use of the manpower and resources we have.

Magic fairy dust is not needed. I bring to the position of sheriff 38 years of professional law enforcement experience with the highest standards of education, and training, organizational leadership, with proven responsible sound management skills.

Many of us in Lake County are tired of Mitchell’s excuses for everything, repeatedly telling us why he can’t do things. I offer no false promises, no smoke and mirrors, no excuses and sadly, to quote Mitchell, no “magic fairy dust.” I have too much respect for law enforcement and the position of sheriff.

I join the community in wanting to know why the current sheriff is so resistant to change and new ideas.

Jack Baxter is a candidate this year for Lake County sheriff. He lives in Lakeport.