Directors” personal issues come before good of CLAWS
Reading some of the recent letters in support of the CLAWS Board I was shocked. Of course, I did note that these letters all have come from personal friends, so they would be a bit biased, but these women must be like Jekyll and Hyde!
I don”t dispute that they probably care a lot about the animals, and are saccharin sweet to their friends.
What I witnessed with my own eyes, along with my lady friends, was shocking. We were shopping at the CLAWS thrift store when these two women came into the store and began verbally assaulting the two women who run the store. I later learned that these were two of the directors I have been reading about. They act very superior, as if we are country bumpkins, or somehow beneath them. I felt that, just by the way they swooped down on the premises.
It was obviously tense in the room, and one woman, who I later discovered was Lisa Pecchenino, suggested they ask customers to leave temporarily, so they could talk openly. The directors said no, and later on, yelled at both women for allowing customers to hear their conversation! The ladies in the store were called “liars,” and when one lady (Veronica Morgan) took offense, they lied to her face and denied having said it. We all heard her, loud and clear! We also heard them tell the store staff that there was a “gag order” in place, and they were not to discuss the situation at CLAWS.
These directors were rude, offensive, and hostile to the degree that I personally would never tolerate. I applaud the staff at CLAWS for keeping their dignity, while suffering such a personal attack at work, in front of strangers, and a volunteer named Norman, who also was appalled. When the ordeal was finished, it was the store personnel who apologized to us, if things had been uncomfortable during this “meeting.”
Then, last Saturday, I attended the CLAWS car wash. I was once again astonished, when I heard these same two directors tell one of the volunteer workers to leave! They were just as rude to him, as their staff! It turns out they had a personal issue with the man, and felt uncomfortable with his presence. Bah! Everyday it gets harder to find good help, especially volunteers. I can”t believe they put their issues in front of the good of CLAWS, and actually sent him home! Ugly.
There may be nothing we can do as a community to rid ourselves of these women who seem to think they are better than everyone else in this community, but I would urge the staff at CLAWS to report these actions to the Employment Board, or who ever governs these activities. No one should be able to behave so badly and get away with it. By the way, on GuideStar.com, which is where non-profits have to report their income, CLAWS is listed as a public charity, not private.
R. Doyle, Norma Anderson, Donna Weiss and Rachel Meller
Clearlake
Austin Resort is a unique place
To experience Clearlake from Austin Resort property is to understand why our citizens become passionate about saving natural spaces. The lake, along with seasonal Burns Valley Creek, provide a distinct, awe-inspiring sense of place. It”s a remarkable and uniquely beautiful open space in the middle of one of the fastest growing areas in the county. So why is the council/redevelopment agency proposing devastating development to proceed, which will remove oak trees, create traffic gridlock, destroy air quality, undermine our storm water runoff and flood control efforts and pave over even more unspoiled land?
All of Lake County is under assault by outside development interests and is in danger of compromising our environment. Our rural atmosphere must be preserved from destruction by incompatible development. Austin Resort Property should remain a statement of our commitment to preserve the natural landscape for our children.
Quality open space builds value in a community. Clearlake will earn revenue from tourist dollars, spent to relax in scenic areas. As one of our Clearlake consultants said, “No one goes to an area just to rent a hotel room.”
We will have more pride in a city that is able to preserve special places like Austin Resort Property for the future, rather than making a fast buck in the short term.
Please voice your support by signing a local petition, calling, writing or e-mailing our council members, City Administrator or Community Development Director to encourage the Council/Redevelopment Agency to use Austin Resort Property as park land rather than to sell to an outside developer.
Alice Reece
Clearlake
Someone needs to hire a lawyer
I have been reading about the situation regarding CLAWS. What is going on? First of all, I would get a court order to see all the 500 and some odd signatures. Who are all these people who are demanding rresignations? Are they people that worked or work for CLAWS? Or people on a street corner? Sounds like a hateful act. Someone needs to hire a lawyer.
Dixie Tamblyn
Clearlake
Purebred dog ownership is being threatened by AB 1634
Purebred dog ownership is being threatened in the State of California. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is scheduled to be held in Long Beach in December 2007 and 2008. Although the AKC has considered making Long Beach its permanent home, Ron Menaker (AKC chairman) says that enactment of AB 1634 would make that impossible.
In his chairman”s report to the AKC (June 2007), Menaker states: “Last month in my Chairman”s Report, I reported on a pending threat to purebred dog ownership in California. Assembly Bill 1634 would require the mandatory spay or neuter of dogs 4 months or older unless an intact dog permit is purchased through local authorities. Should this bill become law, I fear it could be a catalyst for other states. As the old saying goes, As California goes, so goes the nation.””
Full text of report: http://www.akc.org/about/chairmans_report/2007.cfm?page=6.
Diane Amble, director
We the People 2007
Infighting at CLAWS is a sad commentary on community
It”s a sad commentary on our community when a non-profit organization that exists solely for the benefit of the dog and cat population, is experiencing such a breakdown and infighting as if it were a large corporation with millions of dollars at stake.
According to statistics, Lake County has the highest number of euthanized cats and dogs in the state of California. CLAWS purpose is to raise enough money to provide vouchers for local pet owners to get their pets spayed or neutered and help decrease the excess population.
It was hard to tell from the article in the Observer*American on May 16, but it appeared that a few disgruntled members of the board believe it is best to throw the puppy out with bath water, so to speak. They are asking for the resignation of the three of the most dedicated, animal-loving, hard-working women to serve on a non-profit board of almost any kind.
I am a personal friend of Laurelee Roark and know how passionately she serves the CLAWS board. It is impossible for me to imagine her yelling at anyone, let alone an employee or fellow board member. I have also met the other two board members who are being attacked, and they are also very nice, kind people.
It is especially important to present both sides of the story in a small county like ours because the readers tend to be more loyal and trusting in what they read.
As far as the petition to recall the three board members is concerned, has anyone verified those 585 signatures? Or maybe they just got “paw prints” from this month”s animals on death row.
Frances Leuck
Clearlake
Murrow rolls over in his grave
Sounds of pounding, kicking, and bones splintering against pine were reported today, coming from beneath the startled feet of visitors to the gravesite of the world-famous and beloved newsman Edward R. Murrow, known for his integrity and courage in reporting to the American people
Also heard filtering up from below, muffled and lispy yet clearly audible, were impassioned shouts of “Cover the real stories” and “What does Paris Hilton have to do with anything?” “Bush, Cheney and their Oil Cabal are destroying your planet” and then more quietly, as with a final effort, “Fight, you slackers” … then silence.
The flabbergasted gravesite visitors immediately fled and called the media to investigate — however they were otherwise occupied, dutifully distributing the latest press release from the White House.
David Singelyn
Lake Elsinore
Don”t forget to write!
The Clear Lake Observer*American welcomes letters responding to articles and opinions that have appeared in this newspaper, as well as on topics of general interest. Letters can be sent to letters@clearlakeobserver.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422.
