CPD administration needs to examine past abuses
I am a resident of the city of Clearlake whose family had been involved in a situation with the Clearlake Police Department similar in some respects with that of Mr. Fassler (“DA dismisses charges against Officer Fassler,” Observer*American, July 4). Ours was ultimately resolved in our favor, but only after many thousands of unnecessary dollars and about three years of our lives were spent in the pursuit of justice from the (at that time) CPD administration and personnel and the D.A.”s office.
With the blatant disregard for truth from both agencies, and with an internal investigation conducted by a former member of the D.A.”s office, and pressure for a family member to plead no contest to an irrelevant charge with the main one dropped, I feel great sympathy for the many community members living on low incomes who have unfairly encountered the CPD, and who can”t afford the kinds of lawyers that will see them through. It was in this way, I believe, the previous CPD administration was able to prevail with the majority of the cases they brought to the courts caused by their own over-use of under the color of authority. In fact, it was just plain bullying.
At the time of our incident, we became aware of the many others who had faced similar CPD “retribution” for daring to fight back through the slow-moving, ponderous local justice system. I heard of many who had their cases settled in their favor but who were not supposed to speak publicly about the settlements they had won. This being so, I hope the current CPD administration has taken the time to study what went on, and will see to it that all officers are re-trained thoroughly to properly evaluate their own actions before continuing in the “business as usual” mode we had been pursuing.
The fact that Mr. Fassler, working for CPD, was caught in the same trap is truly ironic.
The city council of Clearlake should not have to constantly look at the CPD”s actions over their shoulder. No public entity can afford the type of insurance we must have to pay for if it is seeing large settlements caused by one of its own agencies. I would rather see some of that money going to upgrade our city streets!
Winkie Griffin
Clearlake
McClain will be an asset to the City of Clearlake
I wanted to take a moment to congratulate the Clearlake community on the recent appointment of Allan McClain as Chief of Police. Allan was our former Sheriff for Kings County for many years and did an outstanding job in that position.
Allan maintained a high profile in our community here in Hanford, and always made time to be involved with local civic activities. He was an active member of our local Rotary Club. He also served as an instructor at the College of the Sequoias, our local community college. You will find him to be a strong and involved community leader who will bring a lot of energy and talent to all of his endeavors. I know the McClain family will be an excellent addition to the Clearlake community.
Kendall R. Fults
VP of Ancillary Services
Adventist Health Central Valley General Hospital, Hanford
Editor”s Note: Kendall R. Fults served four years as CEO of Adventist Health Redbud Community Hospital before departing for Hanford in August 2005. This statement is compiled from copies of letters addressed to Judge Richard Freeborn and Dennis Darling that were sent to the Clear Lake Observer*American.
?SiCKO” presents us with an enormous opportunity
I got up real early this morning to debate the HMO lobby about Michael Moore”s new film “SiCKO” on CNBC — two hours before the opening bell on Wall Street.
I saw “SiCKO” last week and can tell you the HMOs have good cause to be worried. “SiCKO” shows in comic and tragic terms how American patients are being overcharged, under-covered, and put in jeopardy by health insurers while European patients receive free, high-quality medical care.
The film is a powerful, emotional expos? that can change health care policy in America.
You can help create this change by joining hundreds of thousands of other Americans in petitioning Congress to debate “SiCKO”s” call for creating a new system.
“SiCKO” presents us an enormous opportunity.
We didn”t have curbs on nuclear power in this nation until the release of the film “China Syndrome,” followed 12 days later by the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. We have witnessed our health care system meltdown. Now America has a film in “SiCKO” that explains how and why. And the cause of universal health care finally has its celebrity in Michael Moore.
The insurers have a lot of money. But we have the truth, and Michael has put it on two hours of film. Together we will prevail.
Jamie Court
ConsumerWatchdog.org
Use Supertankers to stop the wildfires now
I”m writing this letter to urge citizens to get government agencies such as the Forest Service, FAA and local and state fire agencies off the backs of the Supertanker water bomber companies that built the DC-10 and Boeing 747 Supertankers, privately investing millions of dollars for which they have received almost no returns.
Supertankers can stop uncontrolled wildfires in one day that would otherwise take weeks or months to control and private enterprise will use and build them if given the chance.
John F. Rambousek
Yucca Valley
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. Pleases include complete name, address and telephone number.
