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- Written by: Cynthia Koehn
He continues to stress his experience in criminal justice, but he will not be using that experience in the near future. This will make our Lake County courts, that are already overburdened with cases, even less efficient.
I suggest voting for Shanda Harry on Nov. 6.
She has broad experience in criminal, governmental, tribal and civil law and extensive practice at superior and appellate court levels.
Her prior work as Lake County’s deputy county counsel will only require her recusal from a handful of cases.
Cindi Koehn lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Jeffrey B. Markham
Anderson stated that he joined the Lake County Sheriff’ Department at a young age.
Anderson said “that in the early years working in the sheriff’s office he was kind of a rebel.”
He further stated that, “Back then, Middletown was a place nobody wanted to be in. Whenever I did something to upset my administrator, I was sent to Middletown as a punishment.”
It was reported that he joked that every time his superiors would ask him how things were going, he would ask if he could come home to Lakeport.
In all my years with the sheriff’s department, 36, retiring as a chief deputy, I never knew the department to use beat assignments as a form of discipline.
I was the patrol commander for a number of years. Discipline procedures by the department utilized a standard form of law enforcement discipline ranging from oral reprimands to
Termination.
Such a practice as putting an officer in a specific area for discipline would certainly lead to poor performance by the assigned officer.
I am upset that Mr. Anderson would characterize the sheriff’s office as using a location in our county as a discipline measure.
The department philosophy was and still is that all citizens of Lake County deserve to be respected and protected, irregardless of where they live.
Jeffrey B.Markham retired as a chief deputy from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. He lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Dennis Darling
I have been married to my wife Ruth for 44 years and have had two children graduate from the district. We are both active in the community and have supported the schools, children, clubs and service organizations for many years.
I have worked to create a culture at LUSD that is one of trust, kindness with a rigorous, standards base curriculum and this has led to outstanding student achievement.
These accomplishments have been achieved through the collaboration of staff, parents, administrators and the governing board for the benefit of all the children in our district.
I see the role of the governing board as setting the district vision, hiring outstanding staff and advocating with the community on behalf of our district.
I see my individual role on the governing board as constant advocacy for the children of our district and I am proud of the accomplishments during my tenure.
Under the current board and administration, the LUSD schools have made great strides to create an outstanding learning environment for both staff and students.
The district has updated classrooms to 21st century infrastructure and state of the art instructional technology.
The district has also installed “green” technology which includes new LED lighting in all classrooms and solar panels that currently save the district $60,000 per year in utility costs.
We implemented individualized training for staff by the Stanford Leadership Corps, established a Community Day School to better serve at risk youth and, under the current leadership, we have broken ground on a beautiful new learning center for Terrace Middle School.
LUSD is not a struggling school district, but a dynamic place to learn and work.
I am looking forward to two more years of service and believe that I am uniquely qualified to help LUSD provide quality educational opportunities.
I will continue the service and commitment that I have shown for the last 17 years.
Dennis Darling lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Pamela Bening-Hale
I just retired from teaching, June 2, 2018, after 42 years!
My teaching experience includes two years: at a private school, substitute teaching, and bilingual education at Kelseyville Middle School. Then 40 years in the Konocti Unified School District. Through those years, I have worked at many of the school sites.
While most of my years were at the elementary level (25 years at one elementary and 13 at a couple of other schools- diversity is interesting too), I also taught middle school, high school, independent study and a class in the Lakeport jail.
The things I’ve learned and experienced over those years were fun, challenging and memorable – I could tell you stories! There have also been many changes over those years, some were extreme – like in 2008.
Running for school board is an opportunity for me to serve the Konocti community and continue to be of service to our students, and children of former students! I have a lot of experience to contribute to this position. I believe Konocti needs new changes that are based on actual experience.
Joan Mingori, also running for a Konocti Unified School Board seat, and I have worked directly with students, parents and staff on daily basis, but she is in the high school. We have much more to contribute compared to other candidates that are not as well rounded and in depth as to the needs of our great school district.
One of my top goals, based on our society and community, that affect students’ daily school experiences, is to promote a non-bullying program district wide. Why? To bring in a higher level of safety for everyone and increase successful experiences, using a research based program, that stops bullying throughout all the schools in the district.
Students must be safe physically and emotionally, to be successful learners! East Lake Elementary School had a bullying program a few years ago that parents were impressed with.
Another goal is to improve discipline. When I had difficult students or classes, I would say, “If I can’t teach, then I need to teach discipline.”
Our district has a large percent of new teachers that have not completed their teacher certification – due to the shortage of qualified teachers. For these reasons, my effort would be to prioritize school and districtwide discipline: consistent and well communicated with students, parents, teachers, staff and principals.
About three years ago, the district purchased the “PBIS” (https://www.pbis.org/school) program. Only some staff members received training and only part of staff were included in the developing and implementation plans. PBIS states that every teacher and every staff are included in the knowledge and implementation of PBIS. This needs to be made a high priority, to be successful for school wide discipline, which is a part of successful learning!
I am a longtime Lower Lake resident. My education as a student in Konocti Unified School District began in second grade. I attended several of the schools that I later taught at! And graduated from Lower Lake High School.
After earning my teaching credential from California State University at Chico, I returned to my roots and family in Lower Lake.
My grandparents moved to Lower Lake in 1933 and had businesses in the town, including Konocti’s first bus drivers! My parents owned the 76 Union Oil gas station on the corner of Lower Lake, Highway 53, and Highway 29 during my school years. As you can see, I have been a part of this community for a long time!
I have been happily married to Ron Hale, a teacher at Lucerne Elementary School, for 30 years.
I am running for Konocti School Board because I have “feet on the ground” experience, and I would like to support the community, the schools, students and staff from a new perspective. It is time for a change, a change with experience!
A vote for Pamela Bening-Hale is a vote for a new change with experience!
Pamela Bening-Hale lives in Lower Lake, Calif. For more information about her candidacy, email