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Letters
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- Written by: Shanda Harry
I want to thank all our first responders, our warriors who put themselves in between us and the fires to ensure our safety. I want to give credit additionally to the people who braved the fires to keep our pets and working animals safe.
What the organizations like ASCPA, SPCA, Orphan Dog, the Lake Co. Animal Care and Control and Lake Evacuation Animal Protection, or LEAP (Lake County’s animal disaster group), do is truly above and beyond the call of duty. They work around the clock during the fires to make sure our animals are out of harm’s way.
During this fire, 5,609 animals were evacuated, sheltered in place (kept at their homes and provided with food and water) or sheltered at Animal Control as well as provided veterinarian services as needed.
I had occasion to see their effort firsthand this during this last fire. After my family returned from a six-day evacuation, I was at my vet when a mother cat with a severe eye injury and her 2-day-old kittens were brought in by rescuers, arrangements had been made for them, but I knew there must be more like them in need out there.
I reached out to the SPCA and arranged to foster a mother and her five 2-week-old kittens who had been dropped off during the fire. They are doing great and my daughter now has several new friends until they are old enough to find new homes.
These dedicated workers also ensure that all animals who are not reunited with their families are adopted, often sending them to other counties where their chances of adoption are higher or taking in donations to pay for the adoption fees locally.
I want to encourage everyone to support the efforts of these organizations and help where possible with the ongoing need for families to foster or adopt the pets left homeless by the fire.
Donations to LEAP can be dropped off at the Lakeport shelter. Or you can donate online to Orphan Dog, ASPCA or SPCA of Lake County through their Web sites.
Shanda Harry lives in north Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Sue Williams
Seventy six years is nothing to sniff at and I think about what I feel I have contributed to our world.
I am in no way comparing Aretha's life and mine I am just reflecting on what it means to give and the years we have to give to the world something that hopefully makes this world a better place.
I want to honor Aretha's life by saying, "You gave us so much joy and love, maybe I can do the same with my life.”
I have had the joy of working with young people for more than 50 years. I believe in our youth and pray for them in terms of what the future world may bring them.
I want the young people to know, never give up giving, never lose hope and try and leave a positive footprint.
Look up to those who have contributed to make your world a better place and know you too can follow in their footsteps.
As a nation we are too quick to give in to those who teach hate instead of love. We as a nation are building barriers to understanding and acceptance. Now more than ever we need to listen to the words of Aretha, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Obama among the many teachers that have traveled through this life.
Young people, we are here for you, we pray for you, we believe in you. I for one we never turn my back on realizing the importance of being a positive role model. Trust me, to fight for understanding, peace and love is a brave thing to do. To honor differences is a value, to work for peace is honorable.
I will miss Aretha but in the time I have left I will renew my commitment to the youth (our future) and realize each day I can do something to make this a better world.
Yes, to be 76 means I am "old," but what is wrong with that? Seventy six just means I have some time to keep giving and can look back on my life and realize the joy I have experienced being a part of our nations children’s lives.
Come on seniors, here is my challenge: Reach out to our youth and let them know we are here for them and together we can make this world a better place.
Sue Williams lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: The Grillin’ on the Green Team
The Westside Community Park Committee and the Grillin’ on the Green Committee wishes to thank the event sponsors and the grillers for their planned participation.
This community event is made possible because of the donation of time, skill and money by the following.
Grillers:
Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, Early Lake Lions, Lakeport Lions, Adam Bruch, Jesse Richardson, People Services Inc., Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Aaron Rollins, Wayne Yahnke, Fresh n’ Bangin’, Mendocino Barbeque and Drinx Bar & Grill.
Griller sponsors:
Delta Iota Tau Sorority, City of Lakeport, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Rotary Club of Lakeport and an Anonymous Citizen of Lakeport.
Financial sponsors:
Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Ustrud-Rollins Family, Alexander McGeoch, DDS, Brian L. Grey, DDS, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Matt Mazzei Auto Dealership, Hillside Power Sports & Marine, Clear Lake Redi Mix, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Lakeport Main Street Association, Susie LaPointe, The Dock Factory & Supply Co., Lakeport Tire & Auto, Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center, Adventist Health, William C. Kranz, Attorney at Law, Lake Parts/Napa Auto Parts, Wilda and Jim Shock, Margaret Silveira and Community First Credit Union.
In-kind sponsors:
Lake Event Design, Lake County News, Lakeport Cinema 5, KNTI, S2 Tutoring & PR, Disney Trophies and Awards, UCC Rental Center, Thorn Hill Winery, Shannon Ridge Winery and O’Meara Brothers Brewing Co.
The Grillin’ Team includes Chair Cindy Ustrud, and members Beth Havrilla, Alice Holmes, Jessica Kelley, Dennis Rollins, Val Schweifler, Wilda Shock and Susan Stout.
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- Written by: John Helms
All four children attended the Lakeport Unified School District through at least eighth grade.
It was during the 2016-2017 academic year when my youngest child, an eighth grader at the time, was involved in a physical altercation in which he was injured.
He was approached from behind and slammed to the ground; he received a broken radius and ulna. He also sustained a serious head injury.
The punishment for the student that injured him was only a two- or three-day suspension.
The lack of consequences in this situation is an open invitation for future assaults.
There were numerous documented incidents at this school district during the 2016-2017 school year.
This school has become a much more dangerous place; I would never again send my child through the Lakeport Unified School District, as discipline follows policy, and it is clear that policy is not being implemented by the individuals responsible for the safety of our children.
This school district needs people who will emphasize discipline and consequences, as well as the pursuit of academic excellence.
I therefore recommend Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo, and Jen Hanson as board members for the Lakeport Unified School District.
John Helms lives in Lakeport, Calif.