Councilmembers” patronizing attitude will be remembered at the next election time
It was interesting to watch, during the last two meetings of the City Council, the members” lack of interest in its constituents” thoughts and ideas on the Provinsalia project.
For both of the meetings, the chamber was virtually packed, and all presenters ? with the exception of one gentleman from the other side of the lake ? spoke in opposition to the project. Most presentations were researched, responsible and respectful; a few spoke from the heart and both approaches were appropriate.
However, when it came to the vote to certify the final EIR, adopt the plan and rezone the area, only one member, stating he was voting in accord with his perceived wishes of the community, voted “No.” One member was absent and did not participate in this important vote. The other three, with the paternalistic attitude of “We don”t care what you think; we know what”s best for you,” voted in favor. It can be hoped that this attitude will be remembered at the next election.
Phyllis Murphey
Lower Lake
Serious dog problem in Clearlake Oaks
I have been walking for exercise since February 2004 in the morning. I leave my home anywhere from four to six in the morning and return an hour later. I never walk anywhere in my neighborhood without some means of protection and I am well lit up with red flashers and a head lamp. From the above date to the present, I have had fourteen documented dog attacks. One is too many.
On Nov. 1, 2008 I was coming home from a friend”s house at or about 5 p.m. I was attacked by a pit bull mix four doors from my home. I saw the dog charge me from the side and was able to dodge and swing my iron cane. I caught him on the left shoulder. As he went by me, I immediately put my pocket knife in the end of my cane just in time to catch him as he turned and charged me again. I stuck him somewhere in the chest and he broke off the attack and went back in the unfenced front yard. The attack did not last more than 10 to 15 seconds at the most. The woman that owned the dog stood in her driveway, watched and did nothing. This was on a public street in front of her house. The front yard is not fenced and the dog was not on a leash. This story gets better!
No more than five minutes after the attack I called the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (911). I explained to them what happened. I was told that they did not handle animal problems and they would have animal control contact me, which they did. I explained to animal control what happened. The woman”s response was, “You do what you have to do to protect yourself.” That was the end of the conversation with animal control.
About an hour after the attack, four California Highway Patrol officers and at least six sheriffs cars showed up out in front of this lady”s house. I was arrested, charged with 597(a), felony animal cruelty, jailed and had to post $10,000 bail, which friends of mine were kind enough to post.
The following Monday I contacted animal control and was told very abruptly that the sheriff”s office told them that they were not to talk to me about the case; they were handling it now. I have since read the police report and the story the dog owner told them has nothing to do with reality. Fortunately, I have a witness who saw her dog running loose that same morning. I have a preliminary hearing March 20, at 1:15 p.m. It is very hard to believe this is happening to me. I was under the impression you had to be in control of your animal and have it on a leash at all times. Seems as though dogs have more rights than people. Let”s hope not! Some way, some how these people who allow their animals to run loose are going to have to be made accountable and responsible for their animals. I don”t want to hear the excuse that it escaped.
Brian Hagan
Clearlake Oaks
Provinsalia offers many benefits to Clearlake
Provinsalia offers may benefits to Clearlake such as sewer vs. septic tanks, curb, gutter, sidewalk, new paved streets to be proud of, major school fees, these would be financial benefits to the City of Clearlake and improvements to the whole City of Clearlake.
As we all know there are many streets in Clearlake that are dirt, gravel, sometimes paved, and the time will come when there will be a need for an assessment district to put sewers and pavement in areas that are septic systems, which Clearlake has many, and this will be very costly to the residents in Clearlake; especially if you live on one of those streets at this time. So it will be one of two things — an assessment district or the city will leave out bids and every Clearlake resident will pay equally.
If you are open minded you can look at this area now and look at it when this project is completed. There has been some contingents regarding water, Clearlake has many water companies that are efficient with fair rates and these are private companies that have no drain on the finances of Clearlake. Think about this.. if we had in the past not allowed Walmart, Macdonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Subway, the new Carl”s Junior and the new Safeway shopping center; how would it be without those places. Just think about that.
Many, many years ago I knew JoAnn when she was in a highchair; I knew her mom and her dad, Mario and Ruth Saccato, and they moved into the Village Housing Project when the Village was in the process of being built. So we need to be open minded to think about the people of Clearlake when you look back. There was Lake County Aggregates, which was owned by Mario and Ruth, with mixer trucks, working seven days a week. Back in those days I actually worked for and in business with the Saccatos.
The people who are in Clearlake today are many past tourists who worked hard at their jobs and came to enjoy Clearlake on the weekends. Back in those days many people built cabins and upgraded them over the years so that when they retired they had something very nice that was paid for. They sold their properties in other communities and retired in Lake County financially healthy, to live a comfortable lifestyle and many of them enjoyed fishing then and still do.
Regarding high paying jobs, no place in Lake County specifically has high paying jobs. But on the other hand a lot of people complain about Wal-Mart; but I believe they are good for the community especially when economic times are tough, you can always go to Wal-Mart for more for less. They might not pay the most, but ask anyone who works there whether or not they”re happy to have a job there.
The people that come and buy these new houses will help upgrade the whole community and give financial benefits to everyone in the community. Their fees will give the City of Clearlake money to do more things, hire more people, more taxes to the city, and the people that buy these houses are going to spend money where they live. That is much, much more than you have now. They will buy insurance where they live, groceries where they live, gasoline where they live. So this is a plus for the whole community.
It has not been easy for the residents of Clearlake but now is the opportunity for the influx of outside monies. I do not live in Clearlake but I and my business partner do own some double- and single-wide mobile homes in the City of Clearlake. I would go to church and pray that this developer sticks his neck out, which he is doing, and keeps his focus on getting his development completed over the years to come.
Ronald Rose
Lakeport
Don”t forget to write!
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