What we need
Ron Rose’s letter (March 3) opposing Supervisor Steele’s proposal to hire a lake biologist misses some very important points.
Clear Lake is a complex natural lake, unlike man-made reservoirs that are essentially big bathtubs with very little biological diversity. For over a hundred years the lake has been impacted by human activities ranging from agriculture, livestock grazing, road building, and urban development. These have lead to increased sedimentation and nutrient loads entering the lake and in turn effect water quality and clarity and the potential for algae blooms.
These issues are interconnected and require someone to look at the big picture. First and foremost we need a strong monitoring program of the tributaries flowing into the lake to provide specific data regarding sediment and nutrient loads. Wetland restoration such as the Middle Creek Restoration Project are needed to act as natural water filters and to replace wetland habitat, most of which has been lost over the past century.
These are important components to cleaning up our lake, and while Scott DeLeon is doing a fine job as Public Works Director, his plate is already full, especially as he deals with the aftermath of last summer’s wildfires.
We need someone with a strong background in lake biology to oversee the rehabilitation of Clear Lake. It is what Lake County is known for and it is our crown jewel, but for years the county has done next to nothing to protect it and the lake has suffered as a consequence. Lake Tahoe’s water clarity issues have been turned around but it didn’t just happen. It took a lot of study and cooperation and yes, Mr. Rose, probably some money too.
Our lake is our biggest economic engine and it would be foolish to close our eyes and pretend there’s nothing we can do to improve it.
Tom Koski, Upper Lake
Something old school
I take pride in being a very liberal person and have enjoyed being so for over seven decades. But, being honest with myself, I have had a point of view that most likely would not be a liberal point of view.
I really miss that time in my life when women wore dresses. I guess it was the same time when men wore tattoos and women wore head turning fragrances. Back to the point about ladies attire and why that has seemed to be my Achilles Heel as being proudly liberal.
I think the point of feeling different about the female population was from being taught, as a child, that the females of our species were to be treated somewhat respectably. They were to be physically treated more gently, and if not, tears would flow, and a smart smack to the back of my head would soon follow.
Next came the difference in the toys they played with, and the games that we played were also different. No football for them and, in fact, most sports were played by the boys, except swimming was OK. Our toys seem to reflect early training on what we would do when we were all grown up, as to type of work and raising kids.
Then the hormone thing overtook our very being. Thoughts and feelings greatly changed when viewing or being near the female gender. It was like they all changed into butterflies or wonderfully feather clad birds of paradise.
This happened around the seventh or eighth grade, if I remember correctly and this effect never changed from then on. A fifth season was added to the list of four that we learned about in school. Fashion season struck like a bolt of lightening with as much impact as if a real bolt of lightening toasted you.
This change, this difference between the boys and girls in my inner being, flew to the top of what made living life wonderful. It was the antibody for every happening in a day that brought sadness, as the mere glance of a lady, decked out in her choice of attire of the season, would be that shot in the arm that brought that warm smile and soothing feeling in the chest back to the joy of life itself.
It was the allure of the colorful feathers and style of the hairdo that each female found that put the icing on the cake when she came to understand just what a huge effect on the male gender her efforts made in living life to the fullest. The impact of the era of the dress hammered deeply in to my inner being and to be honest, I’m glad it did. Now, to get my joyful fix, I watch the old movies, that bring back those wonderful feelings of my youthful days. It reminds me of the reason we give welcomed presents, wrapped in colorful paper and iced with pretty bows. It reminds me of why my own hairstyles changed, as well as my own attire. I didn’t do that for myself or gain favor with one of my buds, but to hopefully catch the eye of someone who thought I, too, was special.
I have learned to accept that not being the total liberal, correct thinking being that I wish I was, is just something I will have to take to my grave. I refuse to allow wealth, booze or drugs take the place of the high I feel when I see a women stirring wonderful feeling with her dress of the day, that left no doubt that she was not, just one of the guys. When I return from a shopping day at Wal-Mart, I can’t wait to turn on the tube and find a classic movie to get a booster shot of what brings the true joy in life back to my inner self.
Jim Hall, Clearlake Oaks
