I”m so grateful to Randy Ridgel for his September 25 Record-Bee letter (“Board should tackle potholes not global warming”), which did far more to publicize Supervisor Rob Brown”s outrageous remark comparing Al Gore to dogfighting quarterback Michael Vick than all my attempts of the past two weeks combined. District 5 voters, please take heed.
It is not however necessary to go back to the days of apartheid to see the Lake County Board of Supervisors participating in debate about public policies far beyond our borders. To cite just one recent example, on July 17 the Board voted to support SB 840, a bill establishing universal health care in California authored by Senator Sheila Kuehl and co-authored by our own Senator Patricia Wiggins. Brown was in a minority of one in opposing that proposal, too.
As for global warming, contrary to Ridgel”s assertions reputable scientists overwhelmingly agree that excessive emissions of carbon-laden greenhouse gases are causing an unprecedented spike in planetary temperature, and that subsequent changes to climate, weather patterns, sea levels, and ecological health are likely to be devastating.
Nor do any responsible parties deny that climate stabilization will require a sustained effort not just from national governments, but also from states, counties, municipalities, corporations, and individuals. By enrolling in the Cool Counties campaign and thereby pledging to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by the year 2050, the Board ensured that Lake County will participate in finding the diverse local solutions needed to get us all out of this global predicament. To Supervisors Robey, Smith, Rushing, and Farrington ? many thanks!
Victoria Brandon
Chair, Sierra Club
Lower Lake
