This old house
On Kelsey Creek Drive, just a few hundred yards off the highway, stands a two-story structure on the right that could tell tales of wonder. It’s just a shell of its original grandeur today, and has undergone a hideous transformation of its front facade. But still it stands.
My great-grandfather, William Harris, with the help of his two teenage sons and whatever additional help he could muster, built that house in 1870. In it, he raised 18 children — not all his own, although 12 of them were.
From descriptions of it from relatives, and a cursory tour of it many years ago, I have a clear picture of that home as it originally looked, but I have no photographs of it.
As one of William’s descendants, I am attempting to assemble a history of that family which occupied that home until 1936. Erstwhile Lake County historian, Henry Mauldin, knew some of the story, but I know what happened before and after.
If anyone has stories of the Harris family, Harris Lake or Harris Hills, and maybe even photographs, I would be thrilled to hear from you. harris.tke@att.net.
Robin C. Harris, Lakeport
Vote for Tina Scott
What impresses us so much about Tina Scott, candidate for Lake County Supervisor, District 4 is that she doesn’t just talk about issues, she makes solutions happen.
She has shown her support for many years for the vulnerable youth in our community — as a foster parent, a Court appointed Special Advocate and a Juvenile Justice commissioner. She joins others to tutor 1st grade students because she knows that only 23 percent of Lake County 3rd graders in 2015 were meeting grade-level standards compared to 37 percent state-wide and that students proficient in reading are more likely to be engaged in school, graduate from high school, and go to college.
As a School Board member for the Lakeport Unified School District she spearheaded the passage of a $17M school bond that will bring a new pool to the community, add a learning center at a middle school and bring 21st learning capabilities to Lakeport classrooms. Whether it’s organizing fundraisers for her children’s schools, chaperoning a group of cheerleaders to Cheer camp, funding the upgrades for the Meals on Wheels thrift store in town, hosting a welcome reception for a new high school principal, or entering prize-winning baking entries in the County Fair, Tina Scott always steps up. She loves this county, and she pours her heart and soul into making it a better place for all.
She has pledged to provide 20 percent of her salary to organizations within District 4 who support senior and youth programs and to hold monthly meetings with her constituents to gather ideas and hear concerns from the community.
We are voting for Tina Scott because she is a problem solver who carefully weighs options and chooses the best path for all of us, keeping the greater good in mind. We can’t wait for her to bring her voice of the people, decency and can-do attitude to the Board of
Supervisors. Please join us in voting for Tina Scott in the November election.
Steven Sartori and Doyle Awtrey, Lakeport
Yes on Prop 56
I was pleasantly surprised to read in the S.F. Chronicle that its editors are recommending: Yes on Proposition 56, the Tobacco Tax Initiative.
Prop 56, if approved, will add an additional $2.00 tax on a package of cigarettes. Research has confirmed that heavy taxation on tobacco products is the most effective means to stop smoking. It also confirms that smoking is the most addictive of all risky health behaviors. Cessation is important because providing public health care for those addicted to nicotine costs us, the taxpayers, on average, $18.29 per package of cigarettes sold!
Prop 56 will also apply the tax to e-cigarettes. This is equally important because the tobacco industry, the prime manufacturer of e-cigarettes, is targeting our youth in its marketing campaigns. This is easily demonstrated by the ‘cutesy” packaging and the multiple sweet flavors that can be used in an e-cigarette. Of course each flavor contains nicotine and we all know this is the additive that creates the addiction.
The funding generated from the additional tax will primarily go to fund the health care costs paid by public health. It will also pay for research and public education programs to raise greater awareness of the devastation of tobacco products and in particular the tobacco industry’s marketing strategy to “hook” our children on e-cigarettes much like its “Joe Camel” strategy.
Radio and TV ads are already trying to convince you to vote no on Prop 56, by linking the proposition to a diversion of funds for education. Do not be deceived. The only education funded by tobacco taxes is to increase awareness of the detrimental health caused by smoking. These ads are entirely paid for by the tobacco industry. They are spending millions to kill this “We the People” initiative. At the same time this industry is silent on Prop 64, the Marijuana Recreational Use Initiative. This is because they are quietly buying up acres of land to position itself to become the major marijuana producer, thereby putting our small entrepreneurs out of business. I think it should be clear to all what this industry’s motive is: Profit.
Don’t let big money win. Vote Yes on Prop 56.
Tom Jordan. Former Executive Director, First 5 Lake
