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- Written by: Rebecca Curry
The Lake County Democratic Party would like to thank everyone in the community who made our 20th annual Democratic Legislator’s Barbecue fundraiser on Oct. 6 a resounding success.
Tom Torlakson, California superintendent of public instruction, delivered the keynote address. Lake County Democrats are exceedingly grateful that he was able to take time from his duties to visit Lake County.
We are honored to thank Speaker Pro Tem Emeritus and candidate for Board of Equalization, Ms. Fiona Ma, and our 4th District Assemblywoman Ms. Mariko Yamada, who addressed the guests and graced us with their company.
Anthony Farrington, Lake County District 4 supervisor, led the ceremonies with style and humor.
Special acknowledgments go to Democratic legislative representatives for their continued and magnanimous sponsorship: Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman John Garamendi, Board of Equalization member and candidate for State Controller Ms. Betty Yee, and our 4th District Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada. Congressman Thompson and Assemblymember Yamada also donated very special items for raffle.
Democratic candidates for the 4th District Assembly race generously sponsored as well. They are Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd; Mayor of Davis Joe Krovoza; Napa County Planning Commissioner Matt Pope and Davis City Council member Dan Wolk. Chris Lehman, Democratic candidate for the 2nd Senate District, also gave generously.
Bell Hill Vineyards, Cache Creek Winery, Chacewater Wine Co., Langtry Estates, Olof Cellars, Robledo Family Winery, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards and Thorn Hill Winery donated some of Lake County’s best wines for our guests.
Lake County musical favorite, David Neft, provided the perfect touch to the event.
Local Lake County businesses, Backyard Garden Oasis, Butterfly Skin Essentials, Clarke’s Collectibles, David Engle Hair Designs, Girlfriends Salon, Lajour Estate Winery, The Lake County Wine Studio, Langtry Estates, the Main Street Grill, Six Sigma Winery, Thorn Hill Winery and Watershed Books supported the barbecue by donating to the silent auction. Their contributions are invaluable.
Our union partners in the event, the California Teachers Association, California United Health Care Workers; North Bay Labor Council; Operating Engineers Local 3 Unit 10, IBEW Local 551, SEIU Local 1021, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake Building and Trades Council, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38 and Teamsters Local 665, attended and provided generous sponsorships for their members and guests.
The barbecue could not have happened without the enthusiastic work of the members of the Democratic Party of Lake County.
Evan Willig provided another delicious tri-tip barbecue. Celesta and Norm Deter, once again, organized and mounted one of our most successful silent auctions ever. Committee members Paula Mune and Wanda Quitiquit prepared and served the side dishes that accompanied the barbecue.
Lake County Democratic Party members Luisa Acosta, Larry Baron, John Boling, Judy Conard, Essie Coons, Scott Dunn, Adckinjo Esutoki, James Evans, Wil Flato, Ceva Giumelli, Sunol Grayhorse, Moira Harris, Wanda Harris, Shirley Howland, Sorhna Jordan, Bill Manners, Jennifer Popovich, Louis Rigod, Harold Riley and Joy Swetnam all gave their time and effort to ensure the event was a success.
Mark Wickhamshire, committee member and chair of the Stonewall Democratic Club, and the members of the Stonewall Democratic Club prepared the delicious homemade desserts and hosted the beverage table.
Johnnie Flato, committee member and chair of the Lake County Democratic Club, along with members of that club lent tireless support to all aspects of the event.
Melissa Swanson with the city of Clearlake, as ever, patient and accommodating, was great to work with and we look forward to having the event at the Clearlake Senior Center again next year.
Arton Glassware in Kelseyville created our commemorative wine and pilsner glasses. They were a huge hit with the attendees.
Finally and most importantly, the Lake County Democrats want to especially thank each guest and each of our Lake County elected officials for your attendance and continued support of the Lake County Democratic party.
The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.
For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org .
Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at
Rebecca Curry is chair of the Lake County Democratic Party. She lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Scott Knickmeyer
The Lake County Association of Realtors is deeply concerned about property rights and property values.
We are keenly aware of neighborhood conditions in all of Lake County and have observed that those who agree to conform to a set of standards and rules tend to keep or increase their values than those who don’t.
Lake County, like many rural counties across the nation, is composed primarily of unincorporated areas. The small communities that do exist have no authority over the residents to set and maintain even the basic standards within their areas. This has resulted in neighborhoods that have lower property values and urban blight.
The presence of a home owners association (HOA) can and has dramatically increased the value of homes in the neighborhood.
The rules and regulations established by an HOA are designed to protect the value of each property. The primary purpose of the homeowners association is to ensure that an individual or group cannot negatively impact the market value of homes in the neighborhood. As a result, rules become a necessity.
While many people may be turned off by rules and regulations, it is one of the primary reasons that homeowners associations remain popular. Without rules, homeowners would be able to act without consequences. As a result, one or a few homeowners would have the ability to negatively impact the majority.
While an HOA is responsible for enforcing rules and regulations, the mere existence of an HOA can prevent a decrease in property values.
Those who buy homes in neighborhoods that have HOAs have full disclosure. They are provided a copy of the rules and regulations and/or CC&Rs during the course of the transaction so homeowners who are unable to comply with these rules and regulations will be less likely to purchase a home that includes an HOA.
As a result, the community should be able to work together within the structure of the HOA to share similar goals and values.
The Lake County Association of Realtors does hereby encourage the existence of functional HOAs and opposes any attempt to dissolve existing HOAs in Lake County.
Scott Knickmeyer, association executive, writes on behalf of the 2013 Lake County Association of Realtors Board of Directors, based in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) thanks all those who made its second annual musical fundraiser held at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre such a wonderful and successful event.
Those attending were treated to the delightful experience of seeing and hearing the connections that exists within musical families.
Grandparents performed with their grandkids (Johnsen Family Band), parents performed with their children (Anderson Family Bluegrass Band), brother performed with brother (Contreras brothers) – the family connections were wonderful.
Pat Ickes also shared stories of growing up in his own musical family, and spoke for everyone there when he commented, “This better than TV, huh?”
Thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, including Wally Fuller and Mike Adams, who made everything easy.
The event couldn’t have happened without our wonderful AMIA Volunteers: Mike Bielenberg, Vivian and Tom McFarling, Dwain Goforth, Suzy Rudofker, Myra Sherman and Sheila O’Hara. John Thorn from Thorn Hill Vineyards was there pouring his fine wines. Thanks to John and thanks to Thorn Hill Vineyards for sharing the proceeds from the sale of wine with AMIA. Thanks also to local community radio station KPFZ for helping get out the word about the event.
Thanks to Andi Skelton for her donated work on the posters and program, and for her work helping some of the young performers prepare for the show.
Our fabulous master of ceremonies, Bill Fredriksson, kept the show moving along. His humor and enthusiasm shone brightly each time he took the microphone.
Special thanks to Don Coffin for all his work organizing the event and in backing up the talented Contreras brothers.
And of course, many thanks to all of the musicians who generously agreed to perform.
“AMIA is in the middle of its fundraising drive to raise the money necessary to meet its obligation under the partnership agreement that AMIA recently signed with the state to keep the Park open and accessible to the public for the next three years,” said Henry Bornstein, AMIA treasurer. “The financial boost from the Soper Reese event is much appreciated.”
Thanks again to all.
Roberta Lyons is president of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, based in Lower Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Dave Gebhard
I hear people grousing about the cost and abuses attributed to the so-called Obamacare.
The Affordable Care Act has not even really begun, and old grievances due to the cut backs due to the recession are blamed on it.
Let us see exactly how it comes out after it is in force for a year or so.
The employer part has been delayed for a year, and 28 states are going to annul part of its efficacy.
Meant for all to participate, healthy or not, everyone would have access to preventive medical care. Pricing would be on a sliding scale, and the hospitals would be the ones taking the primary shortfall.
Later, after the bugs are worked out of the system, everyone would benefit by universal coverage.
Regretfully, 28 states, the ones who need it the most, are opting out.
The leaders of those states should be ashamed, keeping affordable health care from their citizens, the ones who could least afford it is criminal.
Allow the bugs to be identified and rectified, give it a chance before excoriating it.
Dave Gebhard lives in Lakeport, Calif.