It is time for a change in Clearlake
Now is the time to make changes in Clearlake. Vote the incumbents out of office, unless you want the same old do-nothing city government that we have had for years.
Year after year I have voted for these do-nothing people and that is exactly what they have done. Year after year we are promised road repair; so far the only roads repaired are the main roads into town. Perhaps these are the only roads the city council drives. While we the taxpayers must destroy our vehicles on these pot hole filled roads. Talk to an incumbent, and they will tell you the same thing they have said year after year: The roads in our community are first and foremost, yet year after year, they do nothing. It is time for a change. Vote the incumbents out of office and lets get some new people in office.
Why is there no Super Wal-Mart or Home Depot in our area? The local good old boys have the city council in their pockets, and therefore no changes are made. These good old boys at Four Corners, Mendo Mill, Safeway, Ray”s and IGA would have to lower their prices if they had some competition. Let”s break the hold these good old boys have on the city council and vote the incumbents out.
Henry and Barbara Citti
Clearlake
Vote against Proposition 8
I strongly recommend a “No” Vote on Proposition 8, the “Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry” Proposition. I know that for many the opposition to same-sex marriage is based on their deeply held and cherished religious faith and from them and all other proponents of Prop. 8 I ask for a moment so that I may explain my profound opposition to this change to California”s Constitution.
Twenty eight years ago as a young woman and man, my wife and I took that greatest of all leaps of faith ? we got married. Like young people all over the world we found ourselves in love and decided to join together that love and friendship and our lives in marriage. And in all that I have done on my 52 years on this earth that is the source of my greatest joy and happiness. Through thick and thin we have stayed together and built a life and family together. That opportunity, the opportunity to marry and create families and lives together should be available to all including those that love someone of the same sex.
The laws of our country and our state are the laws of man. They are written by man and subject to change, as is man and the society that we build. Of course many of the people that participate in the construction of our laws are informed by and have deep religious faith. They bring that faith with them as they represent themselves and others when law is made and changed. But this should not be confused with representing God or God”s Will, they perform mans work in constructing law.
Many of the truly profound changes our nation and its laws have experienced over the years have been the subject of controversy and soul searching with heartfelt differences expressed by both sides of many issues. In a democracy that is as it should be. But over the long stretch of history, with many a bump and false start and many times a step back even as we step forward our nation has changed for the better. Our laws have evolved so that it is understood that equal protection for all means just that, equal protection for all. Including persons who are members of minorities whether that is an ethnic minority, religious minority or a minority based on something else, like sexual orientation.
This November in California we have an opportunity to advance the cause of equal justice for all. By defeating Prop. 8 we will send a message to our nation and to the world that a new page has been turned in the cause of freedom and equality. Together let us affirm that when people of the same sex love each other we welcome that love, we respect that love and that we as a society wish them happiness as they embrace in marriage.
It may be that your convictions hold that a marriage between two people of the same sex violates your understanding of God”s Law. I and others that oppose Prop. 8 have no wish to alter your beliefs or your religious convictions. The California State Constitution is the work of men and women, not God. It is designed by mortal men and women to protect all Californians whatever their ethic background, religious belief or sexual orientation. It assures each of us the right to equal protection under the law.
Our society has changed. Men and women can choose same-sex marriage as a matter of equality. I believe with all my heart that this is a good thing; you may not. But please consider it as a right won by individuals that are part of a minority that only wishes to fully participate in our state and nation as free and equal citizens.
Just like me and just like you, they wish to participate in our state and nation as free and equal citizens. Please vote no on Prop. 8.
Evan R Willig
Cobb
Don”t assume all incumbents are bad
In this “Time For Change” era we are living in, it is very easy to think that just changing who is “in charge” will change everything for the better. I think not. Apparently Henry and Barbara Citti think that voting for the non-incumbents will fill the potholes on the street that they live on, convince corporate Wal-Mart and Home Depot to invest millions of dollars in the City of Clearlake (Observer*American, this edition). Sure, healthy business competition is good for the consumer, however, in the current economic situation, the Corporate giants are being very selective where they invest their capital to get a guaranteed return on their investment. Even if the incumbent City Council members were in control of the location of future Wal-Marts and Home Depots it would be negligent of them to abandon the local “good ole boys” as you refer to them and take the profit dollars out of the City of Clearlake and Lake County.
In regards to the street repairs, the City of Clearlake has made the decision to begin repairing the roads and intersections that will benefit local drivers and vehicle owners the most, which naturally start with the roads and streets that most local drivers use to get to the major businesses in the City. This is a “no brainer.”
“Getting the incumbents out” is a ridiculous, all-inclusive, and close minded statement. We have to look at the accomplishments of the City Council, determine if they have helped the City, look at the voting record of each individual council member and make a decision based on facts not what Henry and Barbara Citti assume, which is what I think they are doing, assuming. Everyone knows the preverbal “assume” philosophy.
Michael Rupe
Clearlake
Hospital needs to be more accessible
In the last two months I have had to go to Redbud Hospital for pulmonary function testing and a mammogram. I have emphysema and am unable to climb the stairs or ramp in front. I called the operator to ask for a better entrance to the hospital and was told to use the rear entrance. There is never any parking spaces for disabled there and I had to park by two motorcycles and a picnic table (with my disabled card in the window).
While I was dressing after the mammogram an announcement came over the loudspeaker of my car description and license and that car would be towed away if not moved immediately. When I came out the security police repeated the message to me.
Now this means I cannot drive myself to the hospital and will have to have someone take off work to drive me or go to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. Is there a solution to this?
Harriett Elmas
Clearlake
Don”t expose children to gay agenda
I am concerned about the need to restore traditional marriage in the state of California.
It was wrong for the court to ignore the will of 61 percent of California voters who already decided that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Gays have the right to their private lives but they do not have the right to redefine marriage for the rest of us. What gays do in their private lives is already protected by law, but I do not want children exposed to it. I do not want public schools to teach elementary school children that gay marriage is okay. Nor do I want mandatory sex education taught under a gay marriage agenda.
Karen Butera King
Corona del Mar
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.
