Dismayed at closing of Anderson Marsh
The members of the Lake County Children”s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) would like to convey our dismay at the recent news that Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake is designated for closure. Although this park has been under-funded for years, the communities of Lake County treasure this invaluable natural and historic resource. The Anderson Marsh Interpretative Association (AMIA) has a strong docent program and has been responsible for hosting a variety of cultural events which are always very well received by both the local community and visiting tourists.
Within the last few months, CMAS and AMIA have agreed to partner on a project to create a hands-on Discovery Center, classroom and outdoor amphitheater at the park. This project aligns with the state-approved park plan and has already received conceptual approval from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. We have engaged the services of a grant writer and are receiving widespread support from local service groups, community leaders, parents and the general public.
While CMAS does not yet have a permanent facility, for the past five years our group has sponsored a variety of art and science events. The positive public response to these events indicates to us that there is strong demand and support for a permanent interactive art and science museum. Our partnership with AMIA will provide a powerful opportunity to pool the efforts of two respected community groups and bring a stellar educational experience to both local citizens and visitors.
Across California, art and science education are being marginalized due to the emphasis on standardized testing. In addition, we all recognize the need for engaging outdoor experiences to combat childhood obesity as well as the need to provide positive recreational experiences to offset the lure of gangs and drugs. The few dollars that could be saved by closing Anderson Marsh State Historic Park are vastly overshadowed by the negative impacts to our local community.
Please do not allow the possibility of short term gains to override our efforts to develop long term positive effects. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is a jewel which should be supported, developed and treasured, not disregarded and discarded. We need your help to keep the park open.
Thank you for your consideration.
Carolynn Jarrett
president; and members
Children”s Museum of Art and Science
What can we be proud of?
I am an American citizen, a California citizen and, most importantly, a Clearlake citizen. I love my country, my state, and I would really like to love my town of choice. I do not have to live in the city of Clearlake. I do choose to live here for various family reasons. My children live here, and also my grandchildren.
I would like to relate a continuing nightmare of mine. I dream that I live in a town that has not one street that can be said is paved correctly if at all. There are hardly any sidewalks, street signs or competent parks for children or families. There are broken-down cars deposited all around this town I have nightmares about. There are rumors of past police and city council corruption, hundreds of thousands of tax dollars and government city money missing or mismanaged. I awake startled and worried, because I fear this is not only a dream but a stark reality.
I ask you one simple question. What do we as Clearlake citizens have to be proud of? Everyone makes mistakes, including myself. I don”t intend this letter to point fingers at any one person. We should though as citizens ask ourselves what can we do to change this for the better. Not for a better town image, although that couldn”t hurt, but for our future existence.
Thuril Lawson
Clearlake
Blue Dogs control party
I”ve decided to vote for the Presidential candidate who talks most about freedom or uses the word “freedom.” Phrases like: “We”re going to take away,” “We”re going to force,” “We”re going to make them” are unacceptable. Likewise are: “establish oversight,” “must provide” and “You don”t get that choice” — totally unacceptable. These phrases remind me of a 600-pound bossy mother-in-law, not a founding fathers” government.
What will be fun to watch is how the liberal media, like the Observer*American and the Record-Bee, receives the Blue Dog agenda. (First, you need to be able to recognize it.) Blue Dogs are the reason Ted Kennedy is red in the face, choking on his own words and hoping no one remembers what he said. Blue Dogs are not liberals and are not Republicans.
Blue Dogs are taking back the Democratic Party and restoring it to what it once was under FDR and JFK. They have readied their candidates and organized support for the Blue Dogs already in office. They have set their legislative agenda. People want change and are willing to vote for it.
“Yes, Virginia. There is a Democratic Party.”
Bethany Baylor
Clearlake
Realtors set forum in response to foreclosures
The Lake County Association of Realtors, in response to the wave of foreclosures underway and more in the offing, is putting together an informational and advisory forum that will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Mendo Lake Credit Union in Lakeport.
We are getting together professionals in various fields, including a local Real Estate attorney and lenders, to give homeowners the necessary information regarding the legal implications of foreclosure, versus short sale, or other options, plus information on how and when they should approach their lender if they are in trouble. There will be speakers from the title companies, a bank, mortgage lenders, and other professionals, all giving their time in an effort to help you, the homeowner.
Whether you are a homeowner in trouble, or if you just want the information so that you can help or advise a friend or neighbor, please mark the date of the forum on your calendars and come. This is strictly informational and there will be no sales pitches from anyone.
Let”s not forget, Lake County is a great place to live and a lot of high end investors agree with that fact and they are spending here. If you would like more information on the forum, please contact the Lake County Association of Realtors at 263-9300.
Anita McKee, broker
Media Committee Chair for LCAOR
Vote for issues in primary
Yes, Dennis Kucinich has dropped out of the race for President. But we were not going to vote for the man — we were going to vote for his courageous stance on the issues: universal, single payer, not-for-profit health care; stop funding the illegal, immoral occupation in Iraq; hold Cheney and Bush accountable for their lying, spying and torture policies; restore our Constitution and Bill of Rights; change America”s foreign policy from one of creating hatred against us for our aggression to establishing a Department of Peace in our government; the build-up of WMDs and war with Iran and much more.
His has been a voice of reason and sanity in a brainwashed Congress, and now that voice is threatened by his own political party in his own Congressional District in Cleveland, OH. It seems that the corporations controlling the media that kept him out of the Democratic Presidential Debates, has now decided to crush him out of politics altogether and with the help of the Democratic Leadership, they are pouring millions of dollars and supporting four other candidates against him to try to take away his seat in the House of Representatives. If he loses that seat, we the people will lose our last best chance to save our country.
His name is still on the Democratic ballot for Tuesday, Feb. 5. If you want to send the Democratic Party and the corporate media a message, please vote for the issues that Dennis Kucinich continues to try to bring into the discussion and everyone else is ignoring. A vote for Dennis is a vote for the issues.
Shirley Howland
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. Pleases include complete name, address and telephone number.
