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Letters
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- Written by: Rick Thomsen
My name is Rick Thomsen and I am Lynn Thornton's brother.
Four years ago Lynn died due to Chief Deputy Russell Perdock's irresponsibility and gross negligence. Speeding along Clear Lake on a pitch dark night in April 2006, he slammed into the sailboat Lynn was on and hit it with such force that his speedboat became airborne, flew over the sailboat and landed on the other side, killing Lynn in the process.
Russell Perdock was never charged for my sister's death. Instead, District Attorney Jon Hopkins and Sheriff Rodney Mitchell made Bismarck Dinius, who was at the tiller of the sailboat, their scapegoat, charging him with Lynn's death.
Bismarck endured three years of hell and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars defending himself against this outrageous charge.
Thankfully, when the case finally went to trial, three years after the incident, and in time for the statues of limitations to run out for Russell Perdock, Dinius was rightly found innocent.
I have been quiet over the last four years, not often voicing my opinion publicly, but with the elections of sheriff and district attorney coming up I feel that I must do so now.
Since I live in Texas and not in the Lake County community I do not feel entitled to endorse one candidate or the other.
I do, however, ask that when you cast your vote on June 8 that you remember the events that surrounded Lynn's death; remember the manipulation, coverup, and lies that came from those we entrust with upholding the law.
Most of all I ask that you remember Lynn and send a message that says you will not tolerate anything less than honesty and integrity in our law enforcement community.
Lynn dedicated her entire career to law enforcement and our family has a history of involvement in law enforcement. One of my sons is a police officer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and was inspired by his Aunt Lynn's dedication to protecting the community.
On a personal note, my sister Lynn was a wonderful person and dearly loved by everyone who knew her. She was kind, caring, warm, generous and always strived to do the right thing.
On June 8 I urge you to do the right thing; cast your vote for the candidates that are the most qualified, have the community's best interest at heart, have solid endorsements, and are dedicated to restoring honesty and integrity to the positions of sheriff and district attorney of Lake County.
Let's not let Lynn's death be in vain.
Rick Thomsen lives in Keller, Texas.
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- Written by: Mary Becker
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- Written by: Pam Cochrane
I was recently chastised by Judy Luchsinger, candidate for superintendent of schools, demanding a retraction in the paper for my letter to the editor.
She informed me I had endorsed her, shoving a petition with my signature in my face as proof.
I remember signing what I believed to be an in lieu of filing fee petition circulated by a friend of Judy's, not an endorsement nor in Judy's presence as she claims.
Once I realized that my name was being used as an endorsement, I asked a member of Judy's committee to have my name removed from her list. I repeatedly attempted to contact Judy by email to get my name removed.
I stand by my support of Wally Holbrook!
Pam Cochrane lives in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Ron Green
Deputy Steve Brooks, in his letter to the editor, totally misrepresents Frank Rivero's position on marijuana. He twists Rivero's position far beyond recognition.
I was not at the Upper Lake event, but my understanding of Rivero's position from the multiple debates is that with limited and dwindling county resources, marijuana, and especially medical marijuana, should be the lowest law enforcement priority. Instead, Rivero would put Lake County's limited resources into fighting methamphetamine, the real drug problem here.
Rivero has specifically stated that he would continue to go after the large criminal grows, but not the small growers or medical marijuana growing collectives. Also, Rivero's position is that our county's limited resources should not be spent trying to fight the huge organized crime grows in the national forests, this is primarily the job of the well-funded agencies the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Of course, the real answer is full legalization for "recreational" as well as medical use. We will get a chance to vote on this in November. This would, in the long run, if not immediately, bring the price of marijuana way, way down, take the huge profit out of the illegal national forest grows, and thus eliminate them. And, as a bonus it might just save California's economy.
The Sheriff Rod Mitchell camp is desperate and throwing in the kitchen sink (instead of the towel) at this point in the campaign. If Lake County reelects Mitchell (and District Attorney Jon Hopkins) the entire state (if not the entire country) is going to think we are all nuts.
My choice is Rivero for sheriff and Rhoades for district attorney. But, if you disagree, at least vote no on Mitchell and Hopkins. Let's prevent Lake County from remaining a laughingstock throughout the state.
Ron Green lives in Lower Lake.