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Letters
- Details
- Written by: Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger
Saying that “We have heard you” and continuing on the same path is evidence they have not heard.
The issues are:
Safety: We have had major problems in the district. Lacking a reasonable discipline policy, children and teachers have been assaulted. Classrooms have been torn apart and teachers lack support. Parents are taking their children out of Lakeport schools. We need to fix the serious safety issues that have been allowed to develop at our schools.
Mass exodus of teachers: More than 50 percent of the elementary teachers left the school this year and many more from the upper grades. This is a trend that will continue unless meaningful changes are made. We need to fix the way we treat our teachers and volunteers
Fiscal management: We need to fix the fiscal management of our school district. It turns out that in spending the bond money, the board did not prioritize the pool, which now may not be built. This was one of the main reasons the bond passed. They have also approved additional administrative positions which do not improve student outcomes, but increase the budget.
I ask you to join me on Nov. 6 and vote for the two women and the buffalo: Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson.
Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger, former Lake County superintendent of schools, lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: George Driscoll
He literally put his life on the line for the citizens of Lake County numerous times as a Lake County deputy sheriff beginning in 1974 – first as a reserve deputy, then as a regular deputy, and then later as a major crimes and narcotics detective.
His dedication and work ethic are second to none. While working full-time for the citizens of Lake County, Mr. Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree and his law degree, then passed the California Bar exam.
In 1991, Mr. Anderson transitioned from the sheriff’s department to a practicing private attorney in Lake County, where he continued to serve the citizens of Lake County by personally representing them as their lawyer, administrative law judge for the city of Lakeport, judge pro tem for the Superior Court in Lake County and judicial arbitrator for the Superior Court in Lake County.
Then, in 2008, Mr. Anderson was approached by numerous Lake County citizens who saw the desperate need in Lake County for a strong and honest justice process. He was specifically asked (actually implored) to be the next elected district attorney of Lake County.
In 2010, the people of Lake County voted and elected Mr. Anderson as the new district attorney of Lake County. The people re-elected him 2014. He is still tirelessly serving the citizens of Lake County as the district attorney.
How has Mr. Anderson done as the district attorney?
A few examples of his commitment: His conviction rate (which is what we want him to do) is 85 percent, a far cry from the abysmal 58 percent of his predecessor.
He recognized the questionable honesty of many defendants, witnesses and others in court. Showing his visionary leadership, he established the first ever perjury investigation and prosecution unit in the United States. Mr. Anderson's leadership vision is applauded across the country.
For example: on March 1, 2017, the American Bar Association Journal wrote: this criminal lying "... didn't sit well with the district attorney, prompting him to launch a new, much-heralded crackdown on perjury... [DA] Anderson formed a perjury prosecution unit, which appears to be the first of its kind in the country. The unit…has the task of exploring and prosecuting perjury cases.”
In November, 2017, the 7,000-plus members (law enforcement and prosecutors) of the California Narcotic Officers' Association recognized and awarded Mr. Anderson with the prestigious Narcotic Prosecutor of the Year Award for his outstanding efforts for the citizens of Lake County. The criteria for this award are daunting, and demands proof of a lifetime of commitment and dedication to our community.
Mr. Anderson is not just fully qualified, he is the best qualified for Superior Court judge, Lake County.
I write this purely as a neutral and detached observer. I am the former commander of the Lake County Narcotics Task Force/special agent supervisor, California Dept of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (from this capacity, I’ve personally observed Mr. Anderson’s dedication, reasonableness, and sincere pattern of unwavering commitment; that is what Lake County can expect), and a retired USNR Captain, with over 27 years working intelligence and anti-terrorism operations around the globe.
George Driscoll lives in Walnut Creek, Calif.
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- Written by: Renee Wafford Leffler
The question was “why you wanted to be judge?” Shanda Harry said she always wanted to be a judge, but gave no further meaningful response.
Don Anderson said there are two reasons. First is that he has done all aspects in the justice system. From deputy sheriff, to private attorney and to district attorney. He said he has accomplished what he set out to do in the DA’s Office. He also said at this point the position of judge is best suited for him and the community.
Anderson then said the second reason is something you will not hear from any other candidate. He said it was for financial reason. His salary would increase by $70,000 a year and his retirement would double. This has to be a motivating factor for any working person.
Harry claims she has not considered the $130,000-a-year raise she will receive and having her retirement jump from a little over $3,000 a month to over $18,000 a month?
Now you must ask who is being truthful and who is not?
Renee Wafford Leffler lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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- Written by: Anna Rose Ravenwoode
As a California credentialed public school educator, I have 30 years of experience teaching history, government and science in our public schools; and remaining involved in education issues. During this time, I have become increasingly concerned about the condition of education in our nation, state and county.
My first concern is the lack of funding to adequately support our site administrators, counselors, teachers and support staff, as they engage in daily efforts to provide quality education for our children.
Over the last three decades I have personally witnessed the effect of funding reductions to public schools and its impact on students and teachers.
Reduced finding translates to:
– Larger class sizes, which reduces student learning levels. One way to increase a child’s learning level is by placing them in smaller sized classes. Here they can more easily focus. To achieve smaller class sizes, we must hire more teachers.
– Fewer classrooms in which to serve our student’s academic needs. One reason for oversized classes is the inadequate number of existing classrooms. Due to funding cuts the necessary number of additional classrooms, have not been built on school campuses.
– Shortage of teachers and support staff: One reason for the current shortage of teachers / support staff, is that both are underpaid. We need to increase salaries, which will increase the number of qualified people hired and needed to help our students learn.
– Under addressed problems of at-risk students. Due to the decreased number of counselors, the needs of these students go unaddressed or under addressed. An increased number of qualified counselors, can more adequately assist these students, which can in turn, improves their learning levels.
– Lack of competitive salaries for our educators and para-educators. Lake County is bordered by both Napa and Sonoma Counties, which offer higher salaries. In order to hire a larger number of qualified teachers, we need to offer salaries more competitive with those counties, or undergo longer periods of our current staff shortage.
– Lack of vocational education and college prep classes. Lake County needs the funding to offer all the following opportunities to our children: More vocational education programs offered in all school districts (for students who chose not to attend college); more advanced placement classes (for students who want to attend college); more services for students who want to attend college (but do not have the financial support). We need to hire people to assist these students in keeping their grades up, so they can achieve college entry; and find the funding sources to help them reach their goals.
All of the above college assistance / vocational educational options require working with our community colleges.
– Public school atmosphere: Over the last 30 years, I have observed an increase in bullying, both inside our classrooms and outside on campus. This problem creates anxiety for our children. And while schools are aware of and do their best to address this disruption, they do not have the adequate staffing to address all aspects of this growing problem.
I have met and worked with excellent educators in Lake County. These hardworking people keep our public schools functioning and children learning. They deserve our respect. The best way to provide that is with better working conditions, and an increased salary, commensurate with their talents and dedication.
To summarize, if elected, I will give my best faith efforts to initiate and further the processes of:
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– increasing funds to reduce class sizes;
– building more classrooms;
– hiring more teachers, counselors and support staff;
– increasing salaries for teachers and support staff;
– offering more vocational education courses; providing more services to assist students who seek to go to college; and
– hiring well trained staff to address bullying on school campuses.
The above goals will take time and consistent work efforts. And I would like to make a difference in Lake County public school education. Accomplishing the above will take creative ideas to obtain more funding from federal and state governments, an assertive grant writing program, local fundraisers and seeking other financially available options.
Please consider voting for me. The children of Lake County are worth our time. Giving them a solid educational background is one of the best ways to show we care.
Anna Rose Ravenwoode was born in Oakland, raised in Sonoma County and has lived in Lake County, Calif., for 18 years. She has taught in both Lake and Sonoma Counties in the public school system.