What is homosexual love all about?
Growing up in Tickfaw, Louisiana, plowing with a mule, I knew nothing of homosexual love. In fairness, I knew little of heterosexual love either — other than demonstrated by farm animals. Except the mules, of course. Now we live in a perpetual homosexual uproar. Homosexuality, once the love that dare not speak its name is now the love that can”t shut up.
Homosexual unions are one thing but I oppose homosexual marriage because history — and good sense — shows that a child needs a female mother and a male father to properly mature. Black families were once the most stable families in America. Lyndon Johnson destroyed them with poverty programs that paid black mothers to raise families without male fathers.
The results are black city ghettos, young black males joining gangs for surrogate fathers, prisons filled with black men who grew up without a male father for guidance.
I once thought homosexuals wanted to be accepted as normal. If they truly wish to be, why such asinine performances as gay pride parades? “Daddy, what are those men DOING out there?” Why form sexually oriented political organizations here in this tolerant county? I”ve heard that we, the hicks of Lake County, have been targeted by Bay Area politicians, now that they control counties south and west of us.
God didn”t appoint me to decide whether homosexuals are born that way or not. Nor whether they are more or less normal than, say, folks born with hunchbacks. I wish no harm to either, but homosexuals should sit down and shut up. Using bullying laws, they propagandize from grade schools to work places.
I am aware that many Lake County homosexuals quietly live their lives and work without getting in our faces. Most people neither know nor care about their sexual inclinations if they behave. That”s my point.
Randy Ridgel
Kelseyville
Highlands Village needs positive change
I am a resident at Highlands Village Senior Apartment Homes in Clearlake. I am the mother of five children, 18 grandchildren, and two great grandsons. I live on Social Security only. Without HUD subsidized housing, I would indeed be homeless.
I have read on your Web site your Mission Statement as well as historical information that has set your organization apart from the rest in the development of HUD subsidized housing. A part of what I have read with interest is the following:
“The largest affordable housing developer in rural Northern California. The agency serves between 1500 and 2000 seniors, low-income families, farm workers and the physically and mentally disabled people annually and controls ten Limited Liability Corporations in five counties, which together manage over $200 million in assets.”
Keeping in mind the scope of your non-profit organization, I am troubled about the fact that I have been without air conditioning since July 21.
Rumors have spread in our complex that the previous Director was fired and that there is no Director at this point in time; that your organization is failing monetarily; and especially since this complex has been without benefit of a manager since December 2007, that this property is being sold and we will all have to relocate.
I am a heart patient with one of many diagnoses of heart failure, so it is difficult to understand how a $2.3 million dollar organization would treat an elder as I am being treated. I have not been provided a loan of a portable air conditioner, nor have I been told when to expect a new one, which the two different companies that came to look at my air conditioner said I needed.
I was told a third company representative would be here today to give you the third estimate and then “the office” would decide which one company to go with. No one came today or called me.
I have no idea what is happening and I can”t help but wonder if your own mother or grandmother were treated this way what you personally would do about it? I would bet as you read my letter that you are sitting in air conditioning.
It is also important to note that the Web site states,
“RCHDC has a Board of Directors that is composed of highly competent and dedicated individuals. Many of them have business experience in the fields of real estate, bank, and business. They oversee the Executive Director and Fiscal Officer, who manage the corporation on a day-to-day basis. RCHDC has an experienced staff and they manage the corporation in a professional and responsible manner.”
However, I wonder if you are aware of what is happening at Highlands Village Senior Apartment Homes in Clearlake, where one resident is well known for having drunken and drugging parties; where a child molester resides; and where I am in an 80-degree apartment and have no idea when help will arrive.
I am asking for assistance and I am asking for positive changes at Highlands Village in Clearlake, CA for seniors who are at the mercy of those who are in control.
Beverly J. Antons Owen
Clearlake
RCHDC responds to Beverly Owen
I read your open letter (Observer*American, this edition). I would like to take this opportunity to respond.
As you know, there is an 800 number posted at your property. This would help you avoid any long distance charges. I hope you recall that when you called us on Monday, your call was directed to me. This is done because our policy is that we will return a call to our residents as quickly as possible. Resident calls are a high priority, so if the Property Manager, Maintenance Supervisor or Regional Manager is unavailable, then I will take the call and make sure we provide the kind of service you deserve. You are our top priority.
Today I personally tested the e-mail listed on our Web site and had it checked by a third party. We received all the emails sent to this office. We are troubled by the fact that your air conditioning system malfunctioned.
As a result of your call, after 5 p.m. on July 21, we had two vendors inspect your unit on Tuesday, July 22. Both vendors indicated that the unit needed replacing. One provided us an estimate, the other indicated he would have his estimate ready for us Wednesday morning.
You were immediately called by our Regional Manager and informed of the situation. I also called you to confirm you were doing okay and you told me that you were fine.
Unfortunately, the second estimate did not arrive. As such, we decided to use the only other vendor. At no time did we search for a third vendor, nor did we consider looking for a third vendor. Unfortunately, the first vendor indicated that he could not do the work before the middle of next week. At that point, we searched for a temporary unit. We found one and installed it in your unit on Friday morning, July 25.
In regards to the rumors, please know that our company is doing great. We do have a new CEO and a new Director of Property Management. Together we have over 60 years of experience in our fields. Our property management division continues to maintain a strong financial position and we always provide first class, excellent services to our residents.
As a matter of fact our latest HUD inspection (conducted July 18) in Lake County yielded a 95 score (out of a possible 100). Although your resident manager did leave in December 2007, we have always had a local employee living on site and our Regional Manager and another Property Manager are always available at the property or not far away.
I can also assure you that we have no plans to sell the property.
I am sorry that you did not receive the service you felt you deserved. However, I can assure you that I, and my fellow co-workers, all treat all of our residents as if they were members of our family. I work for this company because I believe we provide a decent, sanitary and comfortable living environment for those persons who, without our help, might not live in such great communities.
I encourage you, and any of our residents, to contact us at any time with your questions, comments or concerns. For over 33 years, we have faithfully dedicated our company to meeting the needs of the residents in rural Northern California. As we continue to grow we will never lose sight of the fact that it is you, and others like you, which allow us make this a better place to live for those who need our help.
William Patrick Council, CPM?
Director of Property Management
Rural Communities Housing Development Corp., Ukiah
Editor”s note: Due to the greater rapidity in which letters appear in a sister daily, the Lake County Record-Bee, we are publishing Beverly J. Antons Owen”s letter and William Patrick Council”s reply in the same edition of the Clear Lake Observer*American.
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.
