Appoint committees to address our problems
I”ve heard it said many times, “Forget the past! Look to the future!”
Perhaps this is the reason this city continues its downward trend! Unless we look at those many mistakes of the past, and make an effort to correct them, there is no future!
One of the major failures has been the redevelopment program. If we look into the past, we discover the reason why. From the beginning of the program to its current dilemma, virtually no member of the city council (redevelopment agency) staff has made any effort to educate themselves to the workings and rules of the plan.
Solution: Finally create a Project Area Committee (PAC). (This concept has been turned down many times.) The idea is for these people to educate themselves to the goals and rules and make recommendations to the redevelopment agency for viable projects.
Another failure in our city is the lack of proper maintenance of the paved streets.
Solution: With proper training and proper tools, using proper material, a small “team” working full time could make a major difference.
Where”s the money coming from, you ask?
Solution: Through a vote of the people, delete and transfer Measure P half-cent sales tax to the “team,” along with funds from road-tax dollars.
And talking about infrastructure, am I the only person who ever looked at the so-called bicycle lane on Old Highway 53? It is so bad that I call it an “invitation to litigation.” Fix it or take down the signs.
These are but a few problems in this city and this is only one man”s opinion! However, each problem should be addressed by small committees made up by people with some knowledge of the subject and a willingness to study the rules applicable to it.
Recommendations can then be passed on to the city council with a fair amount of plausibility as a guide to direct staff”s actions. As it should be!
Roy Simons
Clearlake
Universal health care will benefit all Californians
The American people do not allow the delivery of our police and fire services — services that protect the health, welfare and safety of our citizens — to be owned and controlled by corporations, interested only in their shareholders bottom line. These institutions do not serve citizens only if they can pay individually for the privilege of being protected.
Our communities share the costs of these services, for the good of all, not one by one through a profit-taking middle man. Why, then, do we accept a health care system, rationed by corporations, to deliver our health-care financing system?
The evidence is clear that our current, badly fragmented, private insurance-based, health care finance system does not provide universal health care and produces far less than optimal health care outcomes.
The California Universal Health Care Act (SB 840 — Kuehl) will provide lifetime health care insurance for all California residents. This act will provide coverage including all care prescribed by the patient”s health care provider that meets accepted standards of care and practice, including hospital, medical, surgical, mental health; dental and vision care; prescription drugs and medical equipment, diagnostic testing and hospice care.
Our current private insurance system provides unnecessarily high costs to consumers and providers and incorporates self contained cost spirals within the system that drive up costs at a far higher rate than overall inflation.
Senator Keuhl”s bill will produce lower cost for consumers and employers by consolidating hundreds of insurance plans, both private and public, into one comprehensive insurance plan risk pool, thereby saving the state, patients and providers billions of dollars each year by dramatically reducing administrative costs; by eliminating stock market pressures for exceptional profit taking from the corporations that control our health care; by reducing employer costs for health care insurance and increasing their competitiveness; by reducing or eliminating inconsistencies and loopholes in legislation that allow fraud, abuse and general and specific tax breaks and regulatory relief to these corporations; by achieving economies of scale in purchasing prescription drugs, equipment devices, supplies and services and by providing a healthier workforce for employers and fewer health-related lost work hours and increased productivity.
Our California legislators in Sacramento, Assemblywoman Patty Berg and State Senator Pat Wiggins, are co-authors of Senator Kuehl”s bill. We appreciate their leadership on this issue. We too recognize that the primary factor in our high and rising health care costs are the private health care finance insurance companies. We trust that our representatives in the State Legislature will not accept any plan from the Governor or other legislators that does not replace the current insurance companies with a government agency financed single-payer insurance plan. This issue is critical to their Lake County constituents as well as all Californians.
Rebecca Curry, chair,
Lake County Democratic Club
Wanda Harris, chair,
Lake County Democratic Central Committee
Opposes water rate hike
Regarding Case No. 40701609, Golden State Water Company rate increase: I am a customer of this water company and I oppose this rate increase. This company is always requesting and receiving rate increases. Those of us on fixed incomes have a hard time making ends meet. I conserve water all the time living on 100 (200) in the summer cubic feet per month. The more I conserve, the higher my bill goes. What is wrong with this picture?
Why can”t there be a sliding scale of rates? Those of us who conserve should be rewarded, not penalized. Why should we pay the same price as those who have hot tubs and/or swimming pools?
Why can”t there be a discounted rate for low income people and/or seniors? Other utility companies have such rates.
Julia R. Hurst
Clearlake
Animals suffer from the nonsense with CLAWS
There are so many pathetic issues regarding CLAWS, it is difficult to know where to start.
When CLAWS first opened the Clearlake Thrift Store, I was a volunteer, writing spay and neuter vouchers. I removed myself from the constant bickering way back then as it was contributing to my declining health.
There were constant problems with the board vs. the employees, and volunteers even in the beginning! It seemed the personality, ie; ego problems were endless! It seems CLAWS always attracted some with too much self importance.
Does anyone remember CLAWS means Clear Lake Animal Welfare Society? What a shame that people cannot put aside their differences, and egos, to do the work for the animals! Truly, it is the animals suffering from all this nonsense!
And lets get real. The Clearlake store should never have been rented in the first place! It was in dire straits in the beginning, with plumbing and electrical problems, mold, heating and air conditioning problems, etc. The building should have been demolished, prior to CLAWS renting it, and to think CLAWS actually purchased the building boggles the mind!
But then, all this strife, and pettiness, boggles the mind as well!
To those employees, board members, and volunteers who truly tried to think of only the animal”s welfare, please never lose your perspective, the animals still need your ideas, and help!! I applaud all of you! (Also, Lisa P. and Janet Cammarata, you are the best!)
And to all pet owners, please spay and neuter all pets! It is the law! And, Lake County has the highest rate of euthanasia in the state! Your pet should be a member of your family, and should be treated with love and kindness. Not left in the yard, chained up, ignored, starved of food or attention, and they are not “your little money maker!” No more puppies, or kittens are needed; thousands are being euthanized at this very minute!
Tee Stacy
Clearlake
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.
