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Letters
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- Written by: Mike Tabacchi
Thompson is a native son of Napa County and has maintained a permanent residence within our district boundaries for many years.
During a Middletown Area Town Hall meeting last year, he vowed “to protect the interests of my country, my state, and my district,” in that order. Who can fault him for that? I can’t.
Thompson is clearly nowhere near political extinction. In his recent congressional reelection, and each general election dating back to 1998, he “devoured” his opponent. He received 78.1% of the vote during the recent mid-term elections.
His challengers will need an introduction: Anthony Mills (2018), Carlos Santamaria (2016), James Hinton (2014), Randy Loftin (2012), Loren Hanks (2010), Zane Starkwolf (2008), John Jones (2006), Lawrence Wiesner (2004-2002), Russel Chase (2000), and Mark Luce (1998).
For those residing in California’s 5th Congressional District, it appears as though we are in a long-term relationship with Mike Thompson. Or at least at such time as he sees fit to end it. A bit ironic.
However, I want to bring out a couple of facts. First, each of Thompson’s marginal electoral opponents have proven to be patently noncompetitive candidates. On average, Thompson has defeated his closest challenger by ca. 40 points.
Secondly, one recurring complaint is shared by his opponents: their inability to engage our member of Congress in a formal debate of the issues.
How unfortunate that Thompson has consistently chosen to sidestep this long-standing democratic tradition.
Is this fair to the electorate or his opponents when an entrenched, Tyrannosaurus rex-like incumbent opts to tread carefully during a campaign to avoid any potential risks, however small, to his seat in Congress?
If I may continue without offending, T-Rex is believed to had a life span of 30 years. Can we then expect at least ten more years of Congressman Mike Thompson?
It appears Thompson enjoys representing his constituents in Washington, and he obviously has overwhelming support here. He is also, by any measure, the consummate politician. I do honor his service to our country.
However, I am disappointed by the lack of serious competition in our congressional elections and Thompson’s reluctance to debate. To elaborate, consider the following quote: “Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
Mike Tabacchi lives in Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Amber Sheridan, Meg Lankford, Abby Leutholdt, Kim Lewis and Alicia Brisker
We have come to know Shanda and her family well over the past several years – some of us as colleagues and all of us as friends.
Besides having a strong legal career, Shanda has dignity, honesty and an ability to interpret the law seldom found in this political arena. We need our incoming judges to be ethical and with an eye to protect our community and families through unbiased interpretation of the law.
Speaking of families, our children need strong role models in the community and Shanda will fill that role perfectly. What an added bonus that our strongest candidate, Shanda Harry, is a woman and will be the first female Judge in Lake County in 30 years and only the second in Lake County’s history.
Shanda has the required energy and persistence to bring needed changes and new programs to our county judiciary system.
In addition, she has the physical and mental stamina to serve as a Superior Court judge for many years to be able to see those changes through to successful completion.
We are proud to be voting for Shanda Harry on Nov. 6.
Amber Sheridan lives in Lakeport, Calif.; Meg Lankford, Abby Leutholdt and Alicia Brisker in Kelseyville; and Kim Lewis in Hidden Valley Lake.
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- Written by: Pierre Cutler
There are two problems with this assertion.
Mr. Anderson has, in fact, sought endorsements. For example, he sought the endorsement of the Deputy District Attorneys Association – precisely the people who would appear before him on a regular basis as a judge.
He also sought the endorsement of the Lake County Democratic Party which Ms. Hicks now refers to as meaningless. But Mr. Anderson obviously seemed to find it worth his time to go through the rigorous endorsement process in the spring. The endorsement was given to his opponent, Shanda Harry.
I know people personally who were called by Mr. Anderson requesting an endorsement, but they declined. They had already committed to Ms. Harry, believing her to be better qualified to be the next Lake County Superior Court judge.
Perhaps the area of greatest concern in Ms. Hicks’ letter is the claim of Mr. Anderson keeping secret the list of “several hundred” endorsements. How will we know if any of these people appear before him while he is on the bench? We have no list against which to check. It brings to mind how Mr. Anderson handed out up to $250,000 to various charities in this county from public funds without any checks or balances causing concerns for the Grand Jury and the Board of Supervisors about the appearance of impropriety.
On the other hand, Ms. Harry has all of her endorsements publicly available for scrutiny on her Web site and has her financial reports containing a list of her donors and expenses filed online for public access – not so, Mr. Anderson.
Ms. Harry has run a completely transparent campaign. The suggestion that there is any payback expected by any of Ms. Harry’s endorsers is repugnant. It is also insulting to those who have endorsed her.
Endorsements in political campaigns are as old as time – citizens stepping up and proudly putting their names forward publicly for their chosen candidate.
Mr. Anderson’s latest “stunt” of disparaging endorsements as the campaign winds down seems an act of desperation by a candidate who has fallen short in garnering sufficient support.
Vote for the candidate who put in the hard work to build an impressive list of endorsers from all political backgrounds and who values transparency in all that she does – Shanda Harry for Superior Court judge.
Pierre Cutler lives in north Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Robert Dinsmore
The city of Lakeport was the only public entity that paid for the operating costs of Westshore Pool. The Channel Cats paid rent for the use of the pool (and paid for heating costs during the winter). Without the city of Lakeport, the Westshore Pool would have been closed over a decade ago. The city’s maintenance staff was responsible for the chemicals, cleaning and repair; and
the city provided lifeguards and staff that maintained the pool when the Channel Cats were not in the water.
Further, the Clear Lake High School swim team was completely funded by the Lake County Channel Cats. The district did not participate financially in the operation of the pool while its swim team used it. There has been no cost sharing involving the district. The city of Lakeport and the Lake County Channel Cats were the only participants in its operation and maintenance
financially. The current $3,000 budget that the city has allocated is because of their commitment to our children and is their effort to help continue offering swim lessons at the Quail Run Fitness Center.
What the voters asked the school to do with the bond proceeds of Measure T was improve/renovate the pool. That fact was indisputably clear in the ballot language before voters. The bond was advertised in such a way that the pool was shown to be a major priority. One of the two advertisements mailed to voters for Measure T included six pictures – three of the six pictures were for the pool.
The voters were clear – they wanted a pool. It is heartbreaking to think that the voters might never again vote for a school bond when their trust in the system has been eroded. It’s time for our elected school board to make good on their promises.
Robert Dinsmore lives in Lakeport, Calif.