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Letters
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- Written by: Don Anderson
I have stayed out of this race and tried to let the candidates sell themselves to the public. However, now instead of running on their own merits, they not only attack me, but also attack the good people that work at the DA’s Office. Below is my response to the allegations.
The Alternative to Community Service program is similar to a program out of Pueblo, Colorado. Rather than do community service out of state or county, which does not benefit Lake County, a defendant is allowed to make a contribution to a Lake County charity.
With this program, I have been able to put tens of thousands of meals in front of hungry families, shoes on children that cannot afford them, give money the seniors, veterans, women shelters and others. A total of about 77 charities or nonprofits have shared about $250,000. The list is available at the DA’s Office at any time.
Allegations are that I give preferential treatment to certain people; however, no examples are given so it is hard to respond. There are strict laws governing conflicts which are monitored and strictly adhere to. No family, friends or others have ever received special treatment. As with all employees I am walled off of a case with a conflict or the case is handled by the state attorney general.
The letter says I have a private law practice out of county and I do not work full time. In the seven and a half years here I have helped four friends, for free, when they could not afford an attorney. This is within county policy.
I have an average 50-hour work week and more if I am in trial. In seven and a half years as the district attorney I have never taken a vacation of more than two days and have never once called in sick.
The letter and candidate claim I mismanage cases and talk of only two or three cases. Since I have been DA there have been about 45,000 cases come through this office. I’m sure that there have been many cases where errors were made, but not the ones the candidate mentioned.
In a marijuana cultivation case, I had to sign a release stating none of the 100 legal guns had any evidentiary value. There is no law allowing us to keep legal guns from legal owners.
Lastly, the candidate and letter claims there is no need for a perjury intervention unit and it is a waste of taxpayer money. First, there is no extra taxpayer costs incurred by this unit.
The letter claims we should let perjury prosecution follow the normal course. But before the unit, the normal course has been one prosecution in about 50 years, and none in civil or family court. Since the establishment of the unit we have filed eight cases, six have been adjudicated and two are pending trial. There are several others still being investigated.
This unit also has an educational component to it. We will often address mediation classes and lecture litigants regarding perjury. The reports we get back from the courts and staff is that there is a substantial difference, which proves the effectiveness of the unit. It appears the only ones opposed to the perjury unit are those that lie in court or are running for office.
The people working for the District Attorney’s Office have been doing a great job for many years and should be recognized for their hard work and achievements and not ridiculed with false allegations for political purposes.
Don Anderson is district attorney of Lake County, Calif., and also a candidate for Superior Court judge.
- Details
- Written by: Kucin Gary Thomas
While a student at Upper Lake High School from 2009 to 2012, I helped as on office aide, making announcements over the school intercom, along with other duties and responsibilities.
When I met Mr. Iaccino for the very first time, he looked serious. He had a business impression look and personality which inspired me to get to know him even more.
Mr. Iaccino to me became a mentor over the years, helping me get to know what it was like to be in the business industry. Mr. Iaccino was my "first educated boss.”
Mr. Iaccino is going to do amazing things as Lake County's superintendent of schools. With his educational background and experience as a devoted educated individual, he's going to do bigger and better things to support the school districts around the county.
I strongly recommend a vote for Mr. Iaccino because he pledges that he will support the goal of each student to create and build a successful academic future.
I am proud and delighted to support Mr. Iaccino's vision.
Kucin Gary Thomas lives in Clearlake, Calif.
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- Written by: Mary A. Ferrara
After reviewing this material and doing some additional online research, I am voting for Denise Loustalot for Lake County supervisor.
The position of county supervisor is very important for our Northshore communities. The person whom we elect as supervisor is our advocate for essential county services such as public safety, roads and code enforcement. Denise Loustalot is best equipped to fulfill this role.
Denise is an independent leader who is not beholden to the current incumbent or other county government insiders. She has a proven track record for success in both business and community service.
Most of all, I was impressed that Denise has shown the determination and work ethic to succeed in the male-dominated automotive business. That’s the kind of person I want our next county supervisor!
On June 5, I will be voting for Denise Loustalot for District 3 supervisor.
Mary A. Ferrara lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Olga Martin Steele
Recent letters by Phil Murphy did a grave disservice to hardworking county employees – at all levels. He did little to acknowledge what’s at stake and what’s been lost in the multiple disasters that hit our county three consecutive years and did nothing at all to further understanding about government – how it works – what it can and cannot do, depending on the availability of human and fiscal resources.
Measure G will put the unincorporated towns and areas of the county on par with the two cities that have already passed initiatives to increase taxes and are beginning to see positive results. Voters who live outside the city limits of Lakeport and Clearlake will decide on the proposed tax. The measure requires a simple majority vote to pass.
The tax in Measure G ends in 10 years unless re-enacted by the voters. It will not apply to food and utilities and requires an oversight committee to ensure transparency and accountability on how the funds are used. An anticipated $4.5 million into the county’s general fund is anticipated if the measure passes. The general fund is used to pay for our law enforcement programs, code enforcement, roads, parks, libraries, museums, administrative and other services not covered by dedicated funds.
The fact is the County has lost multiple millions of funding in recent years. As a former human resources professional and manager of large budgets and organizations I can say with certainty, it takes skilled workers in the right numbers to get projects completed and services delivered. And yes, they have to be paid at levels that are fair.
Regardless of past decisions, we’re falling deeper and deeper in a hole and Measure G is one way to address the endless needs and complaints from citizens who want more services. There are no more re-development funds from the State and funding sources have declined.
To understand the implications of our current state of affairs is to simply open our eyes to the reality of mountains of trash in our hillside neighborhoods; crime and environmental degradation occurring on our streets and in the back country; slow response times to calls from an understaffed sheriff’s department; a lack of county services to adequately or timely respond to code enforcement complaints; the need for qualified personnel to support things like expedited sales of county properties or to move projects through complex state and federal regulations; lack of funding to make project improvements that could boost our sagging economy; the very real losses incurred when trained, experienced employees leave to take jobs in nearby counties that offer better wages; and the difficulty in recruiting technical positions at all levels due to the county’s inability to offer competitive salaries.
Of course in all organizations, big and small, there are internal improvements and efficiencies that can be made. But the fact remains – there are real and mounting problems and people look to government for services and solutions that require funding.
Measure G is not a panacea, but it is, in my view, a necessary step in the right direction.
Olga Martin Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.