As someone not privy to all the information on both sides I can only speak to what I see and read. It would appear that the City of Clearlake is not always willing to help youth groups, an entrepreneur trying to bring a new restaurant with entertainment to the city and people who need help with potentially deadly illnesses
My first view came when one of our city council members tried to organize a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls youth club in the area.
The motorcycle rally was harassed by local law enforcement, the end result was that the riders went home.
The event was able to raise little to no money for the children in the community.
My second view saw a business owner trying to open a new restaurant that would have provided live entertainment.
The end result was that the chief of police placed harsh restrictions on the new business.
I heard that local police officers would do regular walk-throughs of the facility.
In addition the police department had patrol units stationed in the parking lot or very near the restaurant.
Could this be considered a form of harassment? I understand many of the restrictions for this facility may now have been lifted.
My third view concerns the AIDSWalk being held Sept. 18 at Austin Park.
AIDS Walk is a fundraiser for Community Care HIV-AIDS Program (CCHAP).
CCHAP provides needed services to people at risk with HIV or AIDS.
CCHAP asked Fast Franks, a hot dog vendor if he would be willing to sell food and soft drinks for the event. He consented to being vendor for the event.
When he applied to the City of Clearlake for a business license, he was told that they did not allow for-profit vendors in the park area.
A volunteer for CCHAP asked if they could use the sidewalk in front of the park and this request was denied.
The city said they could use an area across the street and down the block next to the old buildings. This does not seem very safe to me.
It not only creates a safety hazard to the participants crossing the street, but it is fair distance to walk for the food part of the event.
My question to the city is why for-profit vendors were allowed to use a strip of land between the park access road and Austin Road during a car show held last May or June?
It just seems to me that many people are trying to improve the community in Clearlake.
The city administration does not seem to facilitate the process so the people in the community can get involved in needed projects.
Government is not only here to govern but to assist and support citizens in the improvement and quality of this city”s life.
Sometimes the rules just do not make sense.
As I stated, my view is one-sided. I would hope that the city government will express their side of the story.
Ray Richards
Clearlake Park
