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Letters
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- Written by: Kathy Windrem
Donations from many individuals and organizations remind us again of the incredible generosity and support our community shows to its families.
We wish to especially thank Diana Dixon, Julie Kimelman, Beta Sigma Phi, Kelseyville Volunteer Firefighters, the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County, Clear Lake Performing Arts, Kelseyville 4-H, Tootsie Huggins, Galilee Lutheran Church, Kelseyville Lioness Club, Kelseyville Lumber and the Kelseyville Elementary Drug Free Club.
Also, we thank Congressman Mike Thompson for the Toys 4 Kids party and gifts. Richmond Park Bar & Grill provided a very large number of shoes and coupons for shoes from their New Shoes for Kids Party.
We wish to thank everyone for the thoughtful contributions which remind us all of the strength and value of community.
Kathy Windrem is Healthy Start site supervisor.
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- Written by: Norman Taylor
Several of the Lake County law enforcement associations were individually approached by candidates for sheriff and district attorney. Those candidates requested to address the associations during association meetings with the desire to solicit a political endorsement.
Realizing that it is common for political candidates running for the offices of sheriff and district attorney to ask for a political endorsement from all of the county’s law enforcement groups, we joined together to create a group association meeting that would streamline the endorsement request process. This event will be focused on the issues most important to people employed in the law enforcement field in Lake County, so the candidates' comments will be specific to the group.
The LPOA is proud to be working with the other law enforcement associations in Lake County to produce a venue which will create a fair environment for candidates to solicit the associations for their individual support.
Norman Taylor is president of the Lakeport Police Officers Association.
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- Written by: Francisco Rivero
Open letter to Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association President Gary Frace:
On Dec. 10 you notified me that the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) was hosting a candidates’ night on January 11, 2010, at the Kelseyville High School. You invited me to debate Sheriff Mitchell and told me the audience would include members of the DSA, Lake County Correctional Officer’s Association, Lakeport Police, Clearlake Police, Lake County Probation Department and the District Attorney Victim-Witness program.
You added that the “press” would be invited, but the “public” would be excluded. Although I’m grateful for this opportunity, I’m bothered that you intend to exclude the community.
As law enforcement officers we are here to serve our community. We should be accountable to the citizens of Lake County who are collectively our employers. In order to restore the community’s trust, we must have transparency and open dialog, not closed-door backroom sessions.
The DSA should afford the people of Lake County the same respect afforded the members of law enforcement and invite them to this debate.
I believe excluding the community is a mistake and a step backwards for Lake County law enforcement’s public relations. I respectfully request that you reconsider.
Francisco Rivero is a deputy sheriff who is running for Lake County sheriff. He lives in Middletown.
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- Written by: Rick Mayo
Holding the new business owner responsible for actions of the previous owner of a business is certainly unfair on its face and ridiculous. To use one's official position to severely restrict the general operations of a business in such a mean-spirited manner is appalling. Other businesses of like kind continue to operate without these types of restrictions.
This particular business is a restaurant, kitchen and full bar, has been in same location for well over 50 years (Mario’s Lodge-Italian Restaurant), according to some old timers who happen to be natives of Clearlake Highlands before incorporation. They remembered live music, darts, pool tables and parties of all different types with a license to sell alcoholic beverages. Business was a Mexican restaurant until new transfer of ownership.
As a 30-year citizen and community civil rights advocate, I still have hope the city will do the right thing. This city council can avoid the same old tactics of the past; divide, delay, deny, while infringements of citizens rights run rampant.
It is also apparent that there are more intrusive, arrogant, disrespectful attitudes, “not in my town mentalities” and “epiphanical phobia,” which only create an atmosphere of discriminatory policies which reflects badly upon our city.
How many more local businesses and out-of-the-area patrons do this council wish to see discouraged from doing business or spending money in our community?
Those potential developers and visitors are not coming back!
That the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution's 14th Amendment has never been adhered to with regard to cultural diversity or protective class in this community is a sad commentary in a city of diverse population.
When our city officials hold public hearings, they are merely dress rehearsals and rarely are the opinions of the public taken seriously. State laws passed by the voters are treated as though they are words written in a irrelevant document.
This community, like many others, is experiencing economic shortfalls, yet the city of Clearlake apparently would rather continue to see blighted empty buildings and citizens with limited to no employment than remove discriminatory barriers which should never have been instituted in first place.
Hopefully, this city council will do the right thing in this matter.
Rick Mayo lives in Clearlake.