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Letters
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- Written by: Shirley Howland
The forum’s overarching discussion was about the numerous ethical lapses made by District Attorney Don Anderson. It covered his very questionable alternative sentencing program, which allowed those with money to buy their way out of community service, with the money, up to $270,000, going to local charities of Mr. Anderson’s choosing alone. Both current DA candidates, Steve Brown and Susan Krones, are not comfortable with this program and would stop it immediately.
In 2016, Anderson set up a special perjury unit which, to date, has only resulted in three convictions, despite Mr. Anderson’s claim of nine. Are taxpayers getting a return on this focused “unit” when perjury can and should be prosecuted through normal resources?
Additionally, it was discussed that during his tenure as DA, Mr. Anderson did not treat his position as a full-time commitment, leading to his mismanagement of the DA’s Office. He carried on a private law practice in other counties using the phone number, office premises and a car, all paid for by Lake County taxpayers.
There were also allegations of him giving preferential treatment to certain defendants, including a specific incident that was truly disturbing.
Delays, improper filings and/or notifications, refusing to refile dismissed cases because of errors on the part of the district attorney, all cost taxpayers. One particular example in 2014 led to an individual who ran a sophisticated drug operation getting back hundreds of seized guns that enriched the criminal and endangered public safety.
Mr. Anderson is basing his candidacy for judge almost entirely on his experience. But how much experience does a candidate for judge need to have to overcome years of perceived ethical violations?
In my book, a lifetime of experience can never outweigh ethical lapses – especially when it comes to a judge. Let’s elect a judge who brings new ideas, works hard and make us proud every day. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.
Shirley Howland lives in Clearlake, Calif.
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- Written by: Faye Lambert
As a local businesswoman, town hall chair and former mayor, Loustalot has the right mix of experience to represent the people of the north county. Her successful record as an elected community leader is especially impressive.
Loustalot has been walking door to door to listen to residents’ concerns and share her vision for a better Lake County. That is the kind of inclusive leadership we need on the Lake County Board of Supervisors.
This is an important election and I encourage everyone to look carefully at the candidates. When you do, I believe you will see the same positive qualities about Denise that I found.
Please join me in voting for Denise Loustalot for supervisor on June 5.
Faye Lambert lives in Clearlake Park, Calif.
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- Written by: Donna Howard
I watched as the leader at the time split the tribe by casting out members and tearing families apart in the process.
And I watched as a new thinker, a unifying force, sought to stop the actions of that leader by running against her in an election.
He prevailed only to have the election invalidated – by means I don’t fully understand. That was surely a blow to this young man. But he refused to quit and was ultimately elected as the new chairman of the tribe.
He was young, in his 30s at the time, and walking into a tremendous responsibility. I wondered how he would do – there was so much that needed doing.
Before long his true character would reveal itself – and for that he achieved well-earned recognition and praise. At a time when other tribes were embroiled in division through disenrollments, the young leader at Robinson did the opposite. He led the council in taking a unifying and bold step to reunite the 70 or so dis-enrolled members with their families.
What happens to Native Americans affects us all. When leadership fails us, the entire community is cheated of prosperity – the customers at the casino, the bounty that would have been shared with the county, the negative press that never helps our communities, and, of course the tribal members who relied on their leadership to stay solvent.
Watching this young leader as he facilitated a skillful reversal of the prior bad acts has been heartwarming. He took a multimillion dollar operation from near bankruptcy back to prosperity, reunited a fractured tribe and showed real courage and connection with the people when he and his council took a pay cut to show their level of commitment to a better path.
This type of leadership I can get behind. EJ Crandell has my vote on June 5.
Donna Howard lives in Lucerne, Calif.
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- Written by: EJ Crandell
The incident involved the mother of my children. At the time, we were both very young, rudderless and we drank to extreme excess. We married after the incident and continued to struggle as a couple. We have three beautiful children, they are the light of my life.
Drinking brought out the worst in us both. But I make no excuses, then or now. It was a terrible incident I deeply regret. Since then I use the incident as an example in men’s groups and as a counseling tool to help young people struggling with difficult life circumstances and choices. Out of respect for the privacy of my now ex-wife and our children, I omit some of the details.
It took some digging to find 21 year old records, now the details have become fodder for the news and grist for the opposing campaign. These are familiar tactics designed to derail my campaign for county supervisor in District 3. Sadly, my children and family are the innocents who will be hurt the most.
For me drinking provided an escape from childhood trauma; after the service, it was a way to cope with some aspects of war. I am proud to say that one of the best decisions of my life was to stop drinking and turn my life into a positive.
From that time 21 years ago I joined the army, serving for 8 years, 6 in active deployment and 2 in reserves. I earned an AA degree in business and am now a few units short of a BA degree. Like so many in our community, I’ve known poverty, as a child and as an adult. I can relate to the struggles of my neighbors and I do my best to help, to give back to a community that has been there for me. I am not who I was 21 years ago. Thanks to my fellow vets and friends, I have sorted through and conquered my bad start. Thanks to my greater power I was chosen to lead my tribe. I am truly blessed.
Back to the matter of the letter to the editor, it is an aspect of politics I’ve seen repeated too many times in Lake County. It’s a win at any cost mentality that is apparently legal but nonetheless, a reckless act that ignores the pain and harm it does to families, especially children. It speaks volumes about a dark underbelly that lurks in politics.
In my case dark politics made its way at a very sad time in my life. I received word while attending to my grandfather’s passing, actually on the day of his funeral.
My grandfather was the bright light for me, the closest thing I had to a dad. Ironically, it is his guidance that is driving me now, just as it did 21 years ago. He said, “tell the truth, pay the consequences, and work to be a better man on a higher path.”
The woman who submitted the letter challenged my character. That hurt. But a friend reminded me that a person of good character tells the truth. I did that 21 years ago and do so now.
I want to close with an invitation to my supporters and anyone who is bothered by this to call me at 707-485-4157 or to drop in on Monday at the Happy Garden in Clearlake Oaks from 2 to 4:30 p.m. where I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
EJ Crandell lives in Lucerne, Calif. He is a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors in the June 5 primary.