IHSS workers are important to the welfare of their clients
Care-giving is a very noble occupation. To provide for those who are elderly, mentally and/or physically challenged requires compassion, patience and competence. You must be selfless and steadfast. What it means to me to be a care-giver is to be one of kind heartedness with a warm and sensitive nature to nurture and ease the fears and challenges one feels when they are unsure and alone with limited capabilities. To do this gives me a very joyous feeling in my heart.
In their time of need people might feel frightened, insecure or even worthless. They are independent and dignified people; most have never had to rely on anyone before. When you are an infant, you have a parent to protect you. Most elderly people have no one. A person””s home is their sanctuary and to be removed at your most vulnerable stage in life to an unfamiliar environment full of strangers is terrifying. The In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program provides these folks with a list of carefully screened qualified care-givers to choose from to come into the sanctity of their homes and assist them with the struggles of daily living.
I know that my clients are counting on me to show up. When I am on time, I can see the sense of relief on my client”s face. I know they rely on me to get through the simplest tasks like laundry, shopping, making the bed or getting dressed to go out. I feel good when I”ve made my client”s day pass with ease. When you help someone, the gratitude you get gives you the glorious feeling of success. That is what makes it all worth it. I”ve met many care-givers through the IHSS Support Group whom I consider to have noble character. Each of us is a very special part of some special individual”s life. It is an honor to be a member of such a dignified and regal assembly.
Felicia J. Smith
Clearlake
There is little or no learning going on in Konocti schools
As the former chemistry and physics teacher at Lower Lake High School, let me inform the parents and taxpayers what is going on at that madhouse.
The children are wild and running the school. There is absolutely no discipline and little or no learning is going on. The average child is three years behind in maturity and is graduating with an eighth-grade education. The bottom of the barrel state test scores are evidence of this.
I have never seen human beings that are so inherently lazy. When you force them to do work via grades they must earn, they cuss you out and file false complaints against you in revenge for their poor grades. Sadly, administrators reprimand teachers that enforce rules and condemn you if you don”t change grades or make the kids do homework.
Can this be turned around? Yes, first by reestablishing academic standards by insisting on a “C-” average or better for graduation. Instituting a four in four years program whereabouts the kids are required to take four years of social studies, English, math and science. Requiring four years of the reading class is also a must. Currently, seniors and juniors can take up to four periods of electives. And the world doesn”t need more pottery makers.
Additionally, security needs to be quadrupled for the kids cannot run around as they please. Disciplinary officers needed to be doubled in number. And real punishment like work detail needs to be instituted. The drug users and violent kids need to be expelled, no exceptions. A more serious attitude must prevail.
And most importantly the word of the teacher is gold. The lack of respect undermines all academic endeavors.
So how do you pay for these necessities? Stop wasting tax money on sports. Let a private group run the after school program and charge accordingly. Currently, we are spending an average of $8,000 a student and the kids are ill prepared for facing the realities of a competitive world. Enough is enough; take charge of your schools and straighten this mess out.
Russell K. Hunt
Redding
Round Valley Tribal Council urges a control of anger
The Round Valley Tribal Council wishes to express its sorrow for the recent senseless loss of two of our tribal citizens, and to extend sympathy and offers of assistance to the families of the victims. These men were valued members of our community, part of our extended family, and we regret the circumstances under which they lost their lives.
We understand the need to grieve, but we urge people to stay in control of their anger. We assure you that the Council is doing everything within our means to take action against those responsible and to ensure that such a tragedy will never happen again. We have contacted every agency at our disposal, and we are each on-call 24 hours a day to provide whatever support and direction may be needed to put a stop to the activities that led to this terrible event.
We direct the remainder of this message to those who have been trespassing on remote tribal lands for illegal purposes. The tribal council and the tribal community are no longer going to tolerate abuse and occupation of our historical lands, destruction of our natural resources, endangerment of our community members and visitors, or intimidation by non-Native and/or foreign entities. We are directing every agency and resource at our disposal toward the immediate dismantling and removal of any commercial drug-trafficking operation of any sort occupying our sovereign territory, including the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of anyone who supports, conceals, or finances any such operation. We are taking a stand to protect our people and secure our boundaries. We will not rest until those responsible are dealt with.
Eugene W. Jamison Jr., president
Round Valley Tribal Council
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Clearlake, CA 95422
