Paper”s coverage belittles county”s due process
For the second consecutive year the “Progress Edition” supplement (Observer*American, April 2) has included an article on the proposed Cristallago golf subdivision northwest of Lakeport, and for the second time may have misled some readers into concluding that the project”s eventual approval is a foregone conclusion. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Cristallago”s potential environmental impacts are numerous, varied and severe. To list just a few of the more significant, it could distort orderly growth patterns (otherwise known as “sprawl”), impose disproportionate demands on essential infrastructure including currently non-existent water supply, degrade wetlands and other important wildlife habitat, interfere with neighboring agricultural operations and disturb asbestos-bearing serpentine soils. Intensive analysis of these effects in the form of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been under way since last summer but has still not been presented for the public comment period mandated by CEQA.
Again by CEQA mandate the draft EIR must then undergo comprehensive revisions that explicitly address each substantive comment and query that has been presented. Only after those revisions have been completed can the Planning Commission formally consider certification of the EIR — consideration that cannot possibly occur as early as May 2008, and might not take place during 2008 at all. Nor does certification, if it does eventually take place, guarantee subsequent approval of the project itself by either the Commission or the Board of Supervisors.
A San Francisco Chronicle article (May 14, 2006) described the Cristallago project as one that could “fundamentally alter the character of the surrounding region,” and the Community Development Department is accordingly taking great pains to assess its consequences in the rational and exhaustive manner prescribed by law. It is profoundly disturbing to see our local newspapers refer so dismissively to this responsible exercise of due diligence as “county government red tape.”
Victoria Brandon
Chair, Sierra Club Lake Group
Helmet use will be enforced at BMX/SK8 Park
Parents! Save future expenses and your child”s safety. Helmet your children!
With the recent monitoring of the BMX/SK8 Park in Clearlake, most of the kids are not following rules of wearing a helmet and the fact is, there will be enforcement of wearing helmets.
If kids are ticketed for not wearing a helmet, it could be a $200 or more fine. This directly will affect parents with minors riding without a helmet in the park. It could also result in closing the park down, which is not fair to the riders following the helmet rule.
The Community BMX/SK8 Park Committee, a locally-based group of children, young adults and parents, is seeking out funding to help with safety equipment for our youth. With no immediate success of obtaining funding, kids without helmets will be ticketed. So to invest in a $20-or-less helmet will be an investment to prevent further dollars going to violation fines and saving your child from unnecessary injuries. Both are investments we can not afford to lose on.
Getting your child helmeted also is teaching them to abide by the rules and respect the laws and the officials having to enforce the law. If there is anyone in the community willing to help with our safety needs, please contact me at bmxmom4life333@hotmail.com. Call 295-5703 after 6 p.m. or leave a message at 295-5754.
Michele Bush
Clearlake
Previous letter misstated petition signing efforts
This is a reply to the letter by Bill Berkey (Observer*American, March 26), in which he claims that unscrupulous people were trying desperately to put certain propositions on the June or November ballots and were not particular about the methods used to obtain the qualified signatures.
My wife and I were at that Wal-Mart at Clearlake and we spoke with that individual obtaining signatures. At no time did he attempt to pressure us into signing any of those petitions. He politely explained each one to us and we read each petition and decided on our own to sign or not sign any of those petitions.
Berkey either has his own agenda or is paranoid that voters will think for themselves and sign any or all of those petitions. It is this kind of paranoid ideology that is harmful, not a person who is asking voters to sign petitions that were formulated by concerned citizens of California.
L.M. Sweigert
Clearlake
Walkers need support during their time of grief
I just called Dr. Walker”s office and confirmed the most horrific news about his daughter. A while back, after our local clinic had expended its available resources on me, I was referred to a private physician for further care. We had a new doctor in Lower Lake.
Over the last few years, I have both watched and participated in the healing that takes place under Dr. Walker”s professional, experienced, and compassionate care. This community cannot begin to give back to Dr. Walker a portion of what his family has so generously given us, but we can try!
If you are one of the many who have received care in Dr. Walker”s office, let them know how much you appreciate them. During their time of grief, support this family with all of your love; I will.
Kathleen Eberhardt
Clearlake
Districts shouldn”t be run by county supervisors
The article about the rate study for water and sewer rates (Observer*American, March 19) contains quotes by county officials that point to the need for change.
Farrington”s comments about “improper management and financial irresponsibility” are hilarious. Any improper management or irresponsibility are a direct reflection on him and the other Board of Supervisors members. As with most things that are not hand fed to him, Farrington is incapable of getting the facts straight or being able to add two and two and come up with four.
History will show that every special district administrator in memory has tried to have appropriate rates and connection fees. The Board of Supervisors have been less than supportive even in the light of obvious shortfalls. We have supervisors who think their cronies should have their fees waived.
As long as the water and sewer districts are governed by politicians instead of being operated like non-profit businesses, there will be problems. It won”t matter what this rate study says because the Board of Supervisors won”t support adequate increases because it is an election year.
And yes, Farrington wants to consolidate districts because his constituents stand to gain the most ? while others will lose. The best thing for all water and sewer districts governed by the county would be to set up a board with zero allegiance to elected officials.
Suzanne Schneider
Kelseyville
Dirt bikes overrunning unpaved Clearlake roads
Clearlake has dirt and gravel streets, but that doesn”t mean it”s OK for kids (or adults ) to go tearing down them or on privately-owned vacant lots on dirt bikes. Aside from the noise, many residents have spent personal funds to do maintenance on their street and since it”s illegal anyway, please respect us and go elsewhere.
Here in the Clearlake Park area, we”ve had a big problem with this. Also, why do people seem to think cigarette butts don”t count as litter? They are not made of cotton but cellulose acetate and this can take decades to break down. Thank you for letting me vent.
Carol Johnson
Clearlake
Most Jews understand Obama supports Israel
Presidential candidate Barack Obama has been very successful in reassuring the bulk of American Jews that the innuendoes and overt attacks on his alleged hostility to or indifference to the well-being of Israel are false or that he has other commitments that might be deemed dangerous to Jews. Obama has shown himself to be a “spiritual progressive” supporting a “progressive Middle Path” that is both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine.
While some Jews, particularly those affiliated with the Republican party or the neo-con-influence wing of the Democratic Party, and those who support the policies of the Likud Party in Israel, are likely to continue to critique Obama and spread rumors and distortions, the vast majority of American Jews are far more likely to consider him a friend of Israel just as they consider Hillary Clinton and John McCain to be, and hence are unlikely to have the issue of Israel-support be the one that decides for them how to vote in either the primaries or the general election of 2008.
Rabbi Michael Lerner
Network of Spiritual Progressives
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. Please include complete name, address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will be discarded.
