Approve rent stabilization before it becomes too late
The Lake County Board of Supervisors has put rent stabilization on the agenda for early October. Although it may appear as a “discussion” item, I have asked the board for a vote to draft a rent stabilization ordinance (urgent now because Prop. 90, if passed, would make rent stabilization untenable). County counsel advised that an ordinance would have to be finalized 30 days before Prop. 90”s effective date of Jan. 1, 2007.
To facilitate discussion, conditions should be the least restrictive to park owners (call me for more detail at 998-0249): the ordinance would apply only to mobilehome parks in unincorporated areas of Lake County, that rent be capped at 90 percent of the CPI (Consumers Price Index) and that rentals return to market rate upon vacancy.
A strong appeals board can be fair to all parties: appeals boards can protect a park owner against escalating operating costs by allowing higher rent, and conversely appeals boards are tenants” first line of protection in maintenance and related issues.
The issue is ideological, not just for mobilehome residents, but for all who feel the community is responsible for protecting affordable housing.
The rapid rate of development in Lake County is driving those on fixed incomes into dire poverty. If we do nothing, many of these people will simply disappear from view. How we handle this issue sets a direction for the future of Lake County.
America has become a country where money speaks so loudly we forget that each person still has one vote. The board of supervisors are your elected officials, representing thousands of mobilehome dwellers whose livelihood is threatened. Call them at 263-2368 to state your view and show your support by attending the meeting in October 9 and encourage a vote that will strengthen the spirit of Lake County.
Janis Paris
Spring Valley
Clearlake would be safer without abusive officers
An article that pertained to Clearlake police misconduct was published on Wednesday, Sept. 6. After this article ran, to my discovery this appears to be the police force”s daily activities. There have been so many incidents that were brought to my attention since her article was published. There is no doubt in my mind that this community would be a lot more safer and cleaner without these types of officers.
Ever since these police told me they do not like my kind they made it quite clear that they intend to keep it that way. After I did a little research and filed a few complaints I have discovered a few penal codes actually protect these types of officers. I experienced harassment at the gas station and the following night in retaliation my wife and I were pulled over and I was pulled from my vehicle, hand cuffed extremely tight, and then shoved into the dirt 9 all over a seat belt ticket. You mean to tell me these are the types of officers that have been sworn in to serve and protect?
My complaint was filed and they claim after reviewing all of the available evidence, a disposition of “Unfounded” has been reached and that the officers committed no misconduct. The California penal code classifies personnel investigations pertaining to the officers as confidential, so they were unable to disclose the details of the investigation to me.
These officers have the right to commit crimes against citizens and they are completely protected by law. These officers by law have the right to not explain their misconduct, claiming disclosure of the investigation exposes the officer”s personal life. It doesn”t take an investigation to realize these police are corrupt and racist.
After the article was published I spoke with a lot of different people that have experienced a lot of police brutality, harassment and misconduct. I have even been told a few times by people it”s not a good idea to leave my house after dark if I don”t want to get harassed by the police. It seems that a lot of people live in fear of these police in Clearlake, like there is a curfew in effect. After speaking with a few people I asked them why they didn”t file a complaint. Some people said they did but nothing was done about it and others said they were scared of these police due to previous encounters.
People of this community: just because they carry a badge does not make their crimes legal nor should they be accepted. Other city officials and citizens that support these corrupt officers are just as much involved in this corruption. I have been asked why do I take this matter so seriously and why can”t I just ignore it. If we don”t fix this problem now it will only get worse and as long they know they can get away with it they will continue to abuse their authority.
A meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, in the conference center at the Redbud library in Clearlake. This meeting will focus on police misconduct and other community problems.
David Davis
Clearlake
Bush”s Iron Cross
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” 9 Dwight D. Eisenhower
This current crop of corrupt Republicans in Washington, D.C. and their “War President” George W. Bush (who once famously told reporters 9 with television cameras rolling 9 that he would prefer to be a dictator) are rapidly losing what remaining political support they have left among members of their own party.
For instance, on Monday, July 31, Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said: “The sickening slaughter on both sides must end and it must end now. President Bush must call for an immediate cease-fire. This madness must stop … How do we realistically believe that a continuation of the systematic destruction of an American friend 9 the country and people of Lebanon 9 is going to enhance America”s image and give us the trust and credibility to lead a lasting and sustained effort in the Middle East?”
Former Nixon White House lawyer John Dean wrote the following in his latest book entitled “Conservatives Without Conscience”: “Are we on the fascism? … it would not take much misguided authoritarian leadership, or thoughtless following of such leaders, to find ourselves there … We have returned to the imperial presidency … We have an unchecked presidency.”
And, finally, former California congressman and Republican presidential candidate Pete McCloskey wrote the following on Thursday, July 27: “These Republican incumbents have brought shame on the House, and have created a widespread view in the public at large that Republicans are more interested in obtaining campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists than they are in legislating in the public interest … I have therefore reluctantly concluded that party loyalty should be set aside, and that it is in the best interests of the nation … to return control of the House to temporary Democrat control.”
Jake Pickering
Arcata
Who”s watering landscape at the Clearlake post office?
I am complaining of the way our post office is looking in Clearlake.
One month ago I saw a tree leaning over on the lot. I went in and talked to Roy Jones, postmaster, about the tree leaning over in lot about sometime in July 2006 and he said People Services would take care of it. I went to post office for second time to see when they were going to fix it; a week later it was done, and at that time the parking grounds looked very dirty and it needed to be cleaned up; nothing was done.
On Thursday, Aug. 31, I went in to ask when People Services were coming to clean up and take care of tree and grounds as plants were dying and need water again and I was told by postmaster, “I send a check every month to People Services.” I went over to People Services on Lakeshore and they said they do not have a contract with the post office on this side of the lake.
I went back to the postmaster and he said “I send them a check every month.” Then he said the water service is broke down for about four or five months at the post office.
This is why our City of Clearlake broke so bad; it seems no one cares anymore.
Roy L. Mead
Clearlake
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