Take a close look at the Konocti district”s progress
I have not written much since the school board race began back in August. Instead, I have followed the letters written by others.
I feel it”s time for me, as a candidate to say a few words.
Gina Dickson”s recent letter regarding the Brown Act, shows a complete lack of understanding of the act”s meaning and purpose. The Brown Act does not apply to Gina and the other challengers at “soccer games” or elsewhere, but only to public office holders. Nor does the Brown Act make the candidates” debates that are taking place all over California illegal. The Brown Act is an important piece of legislation that compels elected officials to conduct public business out in the open. Ms. Dickson should have read the law before making accusations. I appreciate that the ObserverHAmerican took the time to find out about and print the relevant section of the Brown Act along with Dickson”s letter (Wednesday, Oct. 25).
Julie Alves”s letter in response to Arthur Mull only proves his point (Oct. 25). Her response contians nothing of substance but rather tired old cliches and vague generalities. Her saying that “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” still does not tell us what the challengers will do if elected.
I hope that voters will take a really careful look at the progress in Konocti Unified School District. Please read our strategic plan. Look at our budget. Talk to our teachers and administrators. Attend a board meeting and watch how we conduct ourselves.
Herb Gura
Clearlake
Gordon cares about district
I am writting in response to Darrell Watkins of Kelseyville.
I have had the privilege to know Anita Gordon for over 10 years. In the past 10-plus years I have become very familiar with Anita and her devotion to the schools within the Konocti Unified School District. Anita Gordon has a true passion to see kids succeed and she is committed to ensuring the schools continue to offer better programs and opportunities for the young people who attend them.
Over the years I have seen countless small victories and big victories. No matter how big or how small, they mean the world to Anita and she continues to push forward to try to implement the best policies and programs for local school children. Anita never lets a victory slow her down; instead each victory only fuels the fire in her heart to continue to strive for the best for the kids who attend Konocti Unified School District schools.
Kristin Hunt
Clearlake
Measure J will return a fair share of local investments
A recent letter to the editor questioned Lake County support of Yuba Community College District campuses and centers in other counties through bond funds proposed under Measure J in the coming election. Clarification is obviously needed.
If Measure J is approved, funds raised through assessment in Lake County would be directed to the Yuba District and distributed according to the district”s Facilities Master Plan. For the Clear Lake Campus a total of $17.3 million dollars has been slated: $9 million is dedicated to new construction of a 30,000-square-foot permanent building to house needed high tech classrooms and a new library center; $4.6 million is scheduled for renovations and upgrades to existing facilities; $3.6 million will payoff former financing for the campus.
The monies raised through assessment on Lake County properties within the Yuba District (Middletown to Clearlake Oaks ) is roughly equivalent to the planned expenditure for Clear Lake Campus facilities, plus interest, under the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. It is a fair and equitable portion of the total funds to be raised and expended for the district.
The legislation providing for Measure J requires a Bond Oversight Committee comprised of district citizens to assure that the money raised through the bond measure is spent as the application for the bond stated. The funds cannot legally be spent in any other way.
The full text of the Yuba Community College District Facilities Master Plan is available online at www.yccd.edu.
I encourage Yuba District — Lake County residents to support Measure J. The benefits of an effective and productive college to the local community are historically proven.
Mark Bredt, Trustee Area IV
(Lake and Colusa Counties)
Yuba Community College District
We need to invest in our local Boys and Girls Club
I would like to talk to the many good people of Clearlake, and we have the best.
We need to get together on our Boys and Girls Club. Look around, we have many, many young ones now. Good kids, many just passing to teenage. The time of frenetic energy and inquisitive, active minds. Already I see the nucleus of kids on the street without structured outlets.
Clearlake is no longer an isolated fishing village for retirees. We have young, “growing” families. We are “officially” Wine Country. With grapes, pears and walnuts our main resource, we need many workers. This means young families.
Wouldn”t “immediately” be the time to anticipate future problems?
We of course need money. But also many volunteers. We have people like Dorothy Myers and Johnnie Black who”ve put in much love and many hours to keep the doors open. But they need help.
I know there are many bored retirees out there. And we need you. We need canoeing veterans, we need canoes! We need a knowledgable rock hound who can lead a day trip of exploration and explanation. And ping-pong tables. And martial arts classes.
With a viable Boys and Girls Club we can do all this, keeping our youth busy and excited about positive impacts of life.
I will commit to eight hours a day, three days a week! Anyone else? Money would be a good, acceptable contribution. And they do need quite a bit of that. Call your council member. P.S. My wife Joan Moore is a great grant procurer! Try her!
Michael Moore
Clearlake
Protect Cache Creek wildlife
It was only last weekend that I kayaked up the beautiful and picturesque Cache Creek. It was there, at the wetlands, that I was able to observe all the beautiful species of Heron that have recently come to the area. I counted roughly 35 new whites and at least 12 greys. I was overwhelmed by the grandeur and grace at this site! It was truly amazing and it literally took my breath away to watch these birds in flight.
This weekend made a huge change in the ecosystem of Cache Creek. Hunters have arrived to thin out the duck population. I am truly saddened now. The stress on these birds has taken its toll as I cannot even lure the ducks to my pier anymore to feed them their daily bread crumbs. After rowing down to the end of the creek, coming up to the dam, I didn”t see a single Heron around. Or ducks. Or egrets. Or just about anything!
As a resident of Cache Creek, I would wish to see this sanctuary preserved. And to voice my opinion that there is enough meat in our local supermarkets to satisfy even the heartiest appetite. We, as a society, kill enough in order to have food on the table! Leave the Cache Creek wetlands alone! Allow these beautiful species to thrive!
Bernadette Lockwood
Lower Lake
Challengers already have full-time jobs and family concerns
Gina Dickson, Julie Alves, Jamie Hopper and Darrell Watkins: Why would these three young women want to be on the school board when some of them are holding down full time jobs and are wives and mothers? And, apparently none of the new candidates have come and stayed for a full board meeting. Why? What was so important that you could not stay?
It would seem that the time and energy that they have to support their children would be better spent working with the schools and not in a board meeting until all hours of the night and generally being there for their children while they are growing up.
I recently had the opportunity to hear Gina speak (unfortunately the other two new candidates did not show up) and felt that she would be a good candidate sometime in the future. She has some good background education that would serve her well when she is not involved with full time job, mother and wife.
Mr. Darrell Watkins spews mean hateful statements about other parts of this county but lives in Kelseyville. What do you do, Mr. Watkins, for the young people of your community that is positive? Are you at the school board meetings making sure the schools in your community are being managed right? Do you work at the school helping young children learn to read? Just what is positive about you? By the way, Mr. Watkins, is that Darrell, Darrell or Darrell?
Sheila Bening
Clearlake
