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Letters
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- Written by: Philip Murphy
Judging from the comments I have read and heard about Measure D there is a great deal of misunderstanding about it among the public, who in many cases believe that voting "no" on it means people won't be growing pot in their neighborhood, which isn't the case.
The Board of Supervisors has recently put together a committee to draft a pot cultivation ordinance that will be adopted if Measure D is voted down, and that not-yet-drafted document will undoubtedly be centered somewhere between the county's first ordinance and Measure D, meaning that small, personal use grows will have to be allowed in residential areas.
The presence of Measure D is responsible for the county now pledging to take a more pragmatic approach that includes the stakeholders in the process, something that was sadly lacking in the county's first attempt at regulating medical pot cultivation.
In the past three years the pot business here has changed radically with the number of plants seized plummeting, from an all-time high in 2009 of 506,506 to 374,958 in 2010, and 123,645 in 2011.
It is not a coincidence that during the same time period large scale commercial grows have popped up all over ag-zoned neighborhoods, the ideal setting for this sort of business as clearly when given the choice growers prefer to raise this crop as any other farmer would produce an ag product rather than to hide out in the forests risking arrest or theft.
Unfortunately, due to a complete lack of county regulations commercial grows have also appeared in increasing numbers in places they clearly don't belong, with the predictable and justifiable negative reaction from many of their neighbors.
What the Board of Supervisors and public now needs to understand is that since the passage of Measure D is unlikely and the BOS will be back in the driver's seat on pot cultivation again, it's important to remember that the pot business holds the trump card here, if the county drafts another unrealistic ordinance the growers can head right back into the forests and all the regulations will be rendered moot – again.
It is also worth mentioning that neither Measure D nor the county's future ordinance will have any effect on this year's crop, so even if the measure did pass it could be retooled and voted on again before the next growing season, meaning the world will not end if it did pass as some have suggested.
Measure D has served an important dual role here already, it has shown that democratic action can force our government to change its course, and it will make for a better Board of Supervisors ordinance that more fairly balances the needs and rights of medical pot patients with those of their neighbors while making a clearer distinction between legal and illegal commercial grows.
So even if Measure D fails at the ballot box the people who took the time and trouble to put it on the ballot have moved this process forward, and they have reminded us that in the end the people are really in charge of our government if they care about it enough to get involved.
The main question that remains now is can the detractors of Measure D offer us a better alternative or will they repeat the past mistake of excessive regulation that encourages growers to go back to the forests.
Phil Murphy lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Barbara LeVasseur
If you love the beautiful views of Lake County, want your property not to lose more value, or want to enjoy nature through hiking, painting or photography, there is a threat to all those interests called Measure D.
Measure D is NOT about medical marijuana; it is about changing the zoning restrictions.
Allowing Measure D could be our worst mistake since handing over water rights and control of the geyser fields.
Land and the lake are our best remaining resources here. Let's think like guardians and not lose this, too.
If you bought a property you probably looked at the neighborhood before you purchased. If Measure D passes all you have invested in will change, out of our control.
Articles have been published in media all the way down the coast inviting people to join a land grab here and plant marijuana in large quantities. These people do not care about Lake County; it is all about large profit.
You can already see examples of this mushrooming all over the hillsides and it is very ugly. It will spread like wildfire if the measure is not defeated.
Growers are building and grading without permits and scraping the areas free of natural vegetation without regard to runoff nutrients, pesticides and fertilizers.
Lots on hills and on the lake that were previously unbuildable will now be sold by disgruntled owners to growers.
What will happen when the mud all rolls down and chokes the lake? How will our hills look, scarred by the ugly grow plots? Will we scare away vacationers who still come here? We may as well kiss this paradise goodbye if we allow Measure D to pass.
I was shocked to hear how many people are afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods and even their own yards. Much more of this loss of freedom will be on its way unless we take our stand.
This measure needs to be rewritten to protect property owners and residents who live here.
Read the measure; it is short and the flaws are very glaring – you will be shocked.
Please do your share of protecting our unique and fragile lake area by voting NO on Measure D.
Barbara LeVasseur lives in Nice, Calif.
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- Written by: Linda Juntunen
In observation of Wildfire Awareness Week, the Lake County Fire Safe Council invites all Lake County residents to take the opportunity to make this fire season safer for your family, your pets, and your home.
We don’t want you to be afraid of wildfire … we want you to be ready for it.
Make a note on your calendar to attend the third annual Wildfire Safety Expo, on Saturday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kelseyville Lumber Home Improvement Center. Learn how to make your home fire resistant and your families ready for evacuation in the event of wildfire.
Talk directly with your local firefighters from Kelseyville, Lake County, Lakeport, Northshore, South Lake Fire Protection Districts; and also Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service and BLM. Let them show you what we need to do to help them in their efforts to help us.
Come and see firefighting training exercises, check out the equipment the agencies use, and talk to the men and women who fight our fires. Introduce your children to Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog, and shake the hand of a firefighter.
Talk to vendors at the expo about fire protection products, fuel reduction services, fire recovery procedures, and safer building materials.
Get tips about fire safe landscaping, defensible space, evacuation plans for your family, your pets and your livestock.
Learn about the Firewise Communities USA program and what you can do to help your neighborhood reach its fire safety goals.
Come meet the volunteers who help our communities when wildfire strikes.
Please remember that preparing your home for a wildfire is a critical step in the partnership between you and the firefighters who work to protect you.
Take the time to learn about the measures we can take to get ready for fire season. Help our firefighters help us.
We hope to see you at the Expo this Saturday, May 12, in Kelseyville. It’s a family friendly event with hourly prizes, and admission is free!
Linda Juntunen is coordinator for the Lake County Fire Safe Council in Lake County, Calif.
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- Written by: Lisa Alotta
I am unable to write or say what I really feel because I am upset at the closing of the pain clinic in Sutter Lakeside Hospital, but I will try.
Dr. Vernetta Johnson is an angel for many of us. She is a great help and support to the people of Lake County to reduce their suffering and improve their quality of life by reducing their pain.
In spring 2007 she was featured in the Sutter Lakeside Hospital magazine in which she explained the proper procedures of pain management. Her main message was there is hope for chronic pain.
She is too important of a figure to be leaving this hospital. She is an icon and the people are very upset. She helps about 2,800 people a year always with a smile and her great personality. I know about 30 of her patients here in Upper Lake.
When I wrote my last letter about the Upper Lake Clinic closing I did not know at the time that the hospital was closing the pain clinic too. I never believed this would happen. It is so very much needed and people come from all over to see Dr. Johnson.
The nurses and the doctor were always so busy. At times it was hard to get an appointment, but if you were in real need they would always find a way to squeeze you in. Even to her discomfort of staying after the time the clinic would normally close.
Vernetta is very dedicated to her patients and helping everyone. She is an anesthesiologist and the director at the pain clinic at the hospital, which will close in June. She is dedicating her life to helping others. Not for money as she proved by traveling to other nations to help out when disaster strikes. Last year she went to Africa to help.
She is a great person and doctor. That is why we were all in shock to hear the ugly news of her discharge from the hospital.
We will miss Luana, Kathy, Leonor, Roger and Sandy; all the staff at this wonderful clinic.
The hospital will lose money not save money by closing the pain clinic down. Her patients had lab tests, x-rays and other procedures all done at the hospital, which generated income.
The hospital mailed out letters telling the community of other pain clinics available, but none are in Lake County. Ever if there were several here in the county I wouldn’t go. She is the only one for me.
I hope the hospital in losing a good doctor does not get a bad reputation. We need the pain clinic. We need more specialists, so more people will come from all over to our hospital. We need a hospital that will take care of all our needs. Too many times we have to go to Ukiah, Santa Rosa or some other city to get the services we need. This is wrong!
This is a nonprofit hospital, so why are they acting greedy.
Lisa Alotta lives in Upper Lake, Calif.