Why is Provinsalia being allowed to advance?
First, I have to admit that I have not been a regular reader of the paper for some time. Therefore, when I was handed the Jan. 7 edition (Observer*American), I found with no small amount of dismay that not only are Provinsalia and Valley Oaks still alive and apparently well, but also the issue of an expanded Wal-Mart and/or other big box stores. Until then, I had been helpful that, in the face of local opposition, all of those had died a natural death.
I find it hard to believe that in the face of the worst recession and housing market in decades, anyone is continuing to insist on developments of 720 plus 380, or 1,100 new homes. I guess there is no end to corporate and developers” greed.
Driving toward it on Highway 29, Hidden Valley Lake is already a huge blot on the landscape. Do we really need more development there? Do we need 1,100-plus more cars clogging Highway 29 over the mountain and all the way to Clearlake?
Will jobs really be created? Not many and most at low wage. Will these new people shop locally? Since most of them will be commuters, probably not. The Valley Oaks folks will not drive to Clearlake to do so, and both groups will probably prefer quality merchandise available out of town to the shoddy stuff found in Wal-Mart and other big box stores. Will these developments be good for the county and its people? I think not.
We have a very special place here, especially compared with much of the rest of California. Let”s not “develop” it into something we won”t like after we get it.
Phyllis Murphey
Lower Lake
District consolidation may aid parents in advocating for their children”s well-being
As a former advocate for families with children with special needs, I would like to offer my perspective on the proposed district consolidation.
One of the most frustrating parts of being an advocate in a county of seven districts was the fact that there were seven district. I came from a county in Nevada that was much larger than Lake County with schools spread out further distances, however, the lives of all of the children in the district could be positively impacted by bringing the issues of one child to the attention of ONE administration and/or the school board. Additionally, the parents could work together directly with their single district to feel better heard. With seven districts parents do not feel like the North and the South have anything to share and/or it is not helpful for them to support each other because the “work” has to be redone seven times.
In answer to Cynthia”s well taken point of bullying (Observer*American, Jan. 7), I would also like to add that parents have all the “law” they need to protect children from bullying. A quick search of the Internet brought this site: www.bullypolice.org/ca_law.html, which cites and explains the California Education Code for bullying. The remedy to bullying is to work with the districts to solve the problem before applying the legal solution of state complaints and litigation. It would benefit the parents of Lake County to only have one district with which to create and apply a program to address the issue of bullying for all the children in Lake County.
For a final time, I will don my advocate”s cap to appeal to the parent of the children in the schools of Lake County to get involved in their schools. Make sure your well-informed voice is heard. The best way to ensure that your schools are safe, your children are learning and you know what is going on is to be as involved as you can possibly be: including volunteering in the classroom, serving on committees, attending school board meetings, having frequent meeting with teachers and just being there. It is hard to find the time ? and your children grow quickly, find it. If you have a complaint, voice it in a constructive way to your administration. If you need your voice heard and you don”t feel the school is listening, find other parents and together work with the school to find solutions. It has long been said that the voices of 10 parent can make the difference between a school that is troubled and a school that functions well. Parents, when all is said and done, these children are your responsibility ? that is how the laws are written ? with the parents as the ultimate point of responsibility for their children. You have only their welfare ? and the schools have the welfare of hundreds of children ? and as much as they want to be there for your child, it is up to you to make sure that your child is safe, learning and growing.
As a citizen of Lake County, I believe that consolidation is the best idea in a long time.
Diane Davis
Lakeport
Preschool education is a timely investment
I was disappointed to learn that only 38 percent of 4-year-olds in Lake County are enrolled in preschool (“Study gives state bad marks for children”s health,” Observer*American, Jan. 14). It concerns me as a police chief because I know that kids who get a quality early education are less likely to get in trouble with the law later in life.
Children who receive an effective preschool experience learn the basic social and academic skills necessary for future success. They also learn respect for authority and how to resolve conflicts with their peers ? life lessons that ultimately keep them on the right path. According to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, children who attend preschool are also more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to ever be arrested.
What we need now is the ability to expand preschool access here in Lake County and throughout California and this must be done through federal and state investments. Although were in tough financial times, our legislative leaders have an opportunity to make early childhood education a priority by building these investments into an economic stimulus package.
Investing in early education is good for our economy because it creates more jobs and provides a safe place for kids to go while parents are at work. It”s also good in the long run because successful students grow up to become productive, law-abiding adults. It”s the kind of investment that will pay dividends for years to come.
Kevin Burke
Chief of Police, Lakeport
Former planning commissioner says farewell
As of Jan. 20, 2009, I am the former District 1 Planning Commissioner. On this exciting and spectacular day of the inauguration of new president, Barack Obama, my term has come to an end not that there is any connection between these two events.
I would like to thank former supervisor Ed Robey for giving me the opportunity to serve. It has been a challenging, rewarding, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable experience. While serving as Planning Commissioner, I have had the opportunity to explore some very special places throughout the county, and to meet the most incredible people, and to be involved in our local government.
As many of you know, the Planning Commission is charged with the responsibility of making land use decisions that affect the future growth and development of Lake County. Those decisions should be based on reasonable and logical growth patterns that take into account the health, safety, and welfare of the people and the environment. Those decisions should also be consistent with our newly adopted General Plan, the Lake County Zoning Ordinance, CEQA, and numerous other local, state and federal agency regulations. Additionally, those decisions should represent the desire of the people of Lake County both today and for future generations.
At a recent Board of Supervisor”s meeting during which former supervisor Ed Robey was honored for his many years of public service, Dist. 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington stated, “We did not inherit this land from our grandparents, we are borrowing it from our grandchildren.” Mr. Ed Robey, Supervisor Farrington, and I trust that Supervisor Jim Comstock and his newly appointed Planning Commissioner are among many who endeavor to uphold this philosophy. However, protecting and preserving our land is also the responsibility of the people in each of our communities.
I encourage everyone to be involved in the future of Lake County. The Planning Commission is a public hearing, the supervisors can be contacted by phone, e-mail, fax, or at their weekly meetings. Individuals need to be heard not just the voices of special interest groups or developers. The elected and appointed decision makers can make better decisions if they hear a wider range of perspectives.
Finally, I would like to thank all of those who supported my appointment as the District 1 Planning Commissioner. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Lake County and the District 1 community.
Monica Rosenthal
former Dist. 1 Planning Commissioner
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 ObserverAmerican@gmail.com or mailed to PO Box 6200, Clearlake, CA 95422. Please include complete name, address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will be discarded.
