CLAWS is not subject to public scrutiny of its actions
This letter is written relative to the articles that have appeared in the Observer*American and the Record Bee relative to CLAWS.
CLAWS is a private non-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of California. It is not a public agency. Nor was it created by a public agency for the purpose of exercising authority which can lawfully be delegated. As a private non-profit corporation, it is governed solely by its internal by-Laws, and not by any public acts. Moreover, it is not subject to public scrutiny of its actions. Accordingly, CLAWS, is not governed in any way, shape or form by the Brown Act.
The Brown Act is directed toward the conduct of public officials and seeks to insure that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly (Farron v. City and County of San Francisco (1989) 216 Cal.App.3d 1071, 1075, quoting Govt. Code, ” 54950.) The directors of CLAWS are not public officials.
Your article of May 16, 2007 quotes the language of a petition circulated by an unidentified source. The text of the petition states: “Furthermore we believe the CLAWS Board is not conducting itself in accordance with the Ralph Brown Act.” This statement, in light of the facts and based upon California law, demonstrates the clear lack of knowledge of the person or persons making the statement. The republication of such a statement without first verifying the information, which can be done through public records, is irresponsible at best.
CLAWS is a venerable corporation formed to perform and actually performing acts designed to benefit those whose means are challenged. It relies upon the generosity of the public, residents of Lake County and beyond, to aid and assist the elderly and those whose income may not have room to spay or neuter a beloved [animal] companion.
Your recent articles can only serve to hurt CLAWS, which was formed to aid and assist residents of Lake County. Continued airing of personal and protected personnel issues in the press will only serve to hurt the beneficiaries of CLAWS efforts. The residents of Lake County deserve better.
Laurelee Roark, president
CLAWS Board of Directors
Editor”s Note: the Clear Lake Animal Welfare Society bylaws and its Articles of Incorporation identify it as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law. The Articles of Incorporation are executed by the California Secretary of State.
Remember Falwell as he truly was
A recent columnist in the Observer*American praised the newly-departed Reverend Jerry Falwell as a “tireless servant” of God (Nathan Tabor, May 23). Here are just a few of the Reverend Falwell”s quotes to help us remember him:
“AIDS is not just God”s punishment for homosexuals; it is God”s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”
“If you”re not a born-again Christian, you”re a failure as a human being.”
“This is probably as bad a day as the court has had on social issues since ?Roe v Wade.”” — Falwell reacting to the Supreme Court”s ruling in the Texas sodomy case, “Lawrence v. Texas,” wherein the high court upheld an individual”s (or a couple”s) right to privacy.
“God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve.” — Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won”t have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!”
“There is no separation of church and state. Modern US Supreme Courts have raped the Constitution.”
“The Jews are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior.”
Like him or not, better to remember Falwell as he truly was.
Herb Gura
Clearlake
CLAWS directors act in their own interests, not the organization”s
I would like to respond to some statements made in the article, “Petitions Seek Resignation of CLAWS Board” (Observer*American, May 16), and recent letters to the editor.
I believe Janet Cammarata described the CLAWS board as a dictatorship. By her own admission, Roark stated, “The board speaks with one voice.” Any opinion that disagrees with Roark, Leslie Woods and Marilyn Ferrante is dismissed immediately. There is no room for growth without discussion, but discussion is not allowed under this board.
When Marta Williams stood up for staff an “emergency” meeting was called by the board to vote her off. The board did not notify Marta of this meeting until hours before it took place, however, as a staff member I was aware the meeting had been called on the Monday preceding the meeting. How is it I knew, but the board member they wanted to eject was not notified? Is this any way to run an organization?
Roark also pointed out that everything the CLAWS board has done is “in accordance to our bylaws.” Perhaps what the public should know is the current board has altered the bylaws significantly from the original set. They have eliminated the membership, thereby removing the only authority able to remove them from their positions on the board. The only way to remove them now is for them to resign, which they refuse to do, despite public outcry.
Roark also claimed that the CLAWS organization would not exist without the board. This is ludicrous. The board would not exist without CLAWS. As long as there are competent people working at keeping the CLAWS spay and neuter program alive, there will be a CLAWS. The egotistical maneuverings of three women has cost the CLAWS organization a lot of money, a lot of sheer talent, which was lost to the tempers of the board, and many community resources which the board refused to open their minds to.
I am afraid the board will act in their own interests, rather than the best interests of CLAWS, and will remain in their self appointed positions. I wish they would reconsider and resign. At the very least, I am hopeful they may learn something from this process about honesty and integrity, not to mention employee loyalty. It is difficult to remain loyal to a board that does not recognize staff”s contribution to the organization.
Veronica Morgan
Lucerne
Charges against CLAWS board need to be carefully examined
I was shocked to read Denise Rockenstein”s article of May 16 concerning Marta Williams” charges against the board of CLAWS, including her initiation of the petition to remove board members Laurelee Roark and others named in the article.
I have known Laurelee Roark professionally for over 15 years and rarely have met anyone more civic-minded, professional and compassionate in her work with other people. The charges being brought by Ms. Williams are highly uncharacteristic of Ms. Roark. I have seen Roark handle extremely difficult conflicts with impeccable skill, maintaining the highest purposes and goals of the organization or cause. Roark is an extraordinary woman who has contributed much to help improve our community.
Before we all go off half-cocked, Marta Williams” charges against the CLAWS board need to be carefully examined. Ms. Williams is a relative newcomer to Lake County, who has been involved with CLAWS for only a short period of time. I suggest that she, as well as any community member concerned about this issue, carefully examine why she has taken the action she has. Too often, in matters like this, the person with the most shrill and aggressive voice gets the most attention, regardless of the facts. The results can be both destructive and heartbreakingly unjust.
As for the petition Williams has circulated, I ask that this document be published and the signatures be verified, both for county of residence and for knowledge of CLAWS beyond heresay of the petitioner. Readers of this paper should know that there are online services available for anyone wanting to circulate a petition. Petitions circulated in this way can be signed by anyone from any area of the country, and anyone can collect signatures for virtually anything they wish.
As a resident of Lake County and supporter of CLAWS, I respectfully request that Ms. Rockenstein, the reporter who originally broke this story, investigate how Ms. Williams” petition was generated and whether or not the signatures represent people familiar with our community. While the petition may be legitimate, we should not take it seriously until we are able to examine the facts of how it was created.
Until we get the whole story here, I urge that we all keep cool heads. We owe this much to Laurelee Roark, a citizen who has contributed so selflessly and so much to making our community a better place to live. While I do not know the other CLAWS board members who have been charged, I extend my support to them in the same way.
Hal Zina Bennett
Upper Lake
Editor”s Note: Our newsroom is not privy to knowing who circulated petitions that ask the CLAWS directors to resign. Mr. Bennett”s determination that Marta Williams is the petitioner, is independent of this newspaper”s reporting.
There are better ways to express yourself without childish taunts
To the person who taped a childish and innocuous sign on the Hidden Valley meeting hall during the 11th celebration of the South Lake County Democratic Club. “Liberalism is a mental disorder,” I wish to make the following comments.
It would appear too many people that you are the one with the “disorder” that you fell so compelled to taunt people you do not know. If you are a dedicated conservative, as I assume you are, your efforts would be better utilized to restore some credibility and respect to your personal agenda.
Next time, I would suggest you feel this sudden, unprovoked urge coming on, please feel free to come in, and use the microphone for a couple of minutes. You may not receive any applause, but at least you won”t have to be underhanded in your cowardice.
Harold E. Riley
Former President
South Lake County Democratic Club
