‘He’s In it for the money’ reader opines
I attended the judicial debate between Superior Court candidates Shanda Harry and Don Anderson in Middletown. One answer from Don Anderson particularly bothered me. When asked why he wanted to be a judge, he mentioned a few reasons and then he stopped and said, along the lines of, “well, let’s be honest, the main reason is that I am going to get a $75,000 annual increase in my salary and a 50 percent bump in my pension.” It was also mentioned that Mr. Anderson would not be able to try criminal cases for 2 years. I would expect that this will add an extra cost to the court that is already tight on funds.
Shanda Harry spoke eloquently about public service, her desire to give back to the people of Lake County at the highest level her skills, education and judicial temperament permit.
She talked about the need for all who enter her Court room to feel that they are respected and given a chance to ‘have their day in Court’ and how a judge’s most important role is to set the tone for the Court room and to always have the highest level of integrity both inside and outside the Court.
My choice is clear – Shanda Harry cares deeply about being a judge for all the right reasons.
Please join me in voting for her.
—Pollyann Johnston, Lakeport
No discrimination?
I can’t believe that an informed individual would fathom the thought that “Republican Voting Laws” supposedly screen out blacks, Hispanics and the poor. Number one, our voting laws seem to be democratic. Number two: there is no discrimination, we just don’t want non-citizens voting in our elections. It’s illegal! It seems to be very clear lately as to who uses smear campaigns. Pay attention! I will never vote for anyone that uses smear tactics to get elected. Only ignorant people vote for those lowlifes. This is why Hillary is not our president.
—M Kennedy, Willits, CA. Mendocino County resident
Harry running a clean campaign according to reader
Candidate for Superior Court Judge, Don Anderson, has put out one more version of his comparison chart where he attempts to rate his skills for Judge against those of his opponent Shanda Harry. It’s hard to keep up—the numbers and rating categories vary wildly with each new iteration. Prior to the summer, for example, Mr. Anderson stated that he had done 1,500 trials but two months later, that number had grown to 1,800. Just last week, he changed Ms. Harry’s Lake County residency from a previous 15 years, to 12 years, and back to 15 years again…all within a few days.
In numerous public debates, the accuracy of the ratings was refuted in discussions by both Ms. Harry and the third primary candidate, Andre Ross, while Mr. Anderson was sitting there. Obviously, Mr. Anderson failed to listen.
If voters take the chart at face value, Mr. Anderson seems to make a compelling case—but then they ask themselves, why would 200 plus individuals and organizations, including Sheriff Martin and Supervisor Tina Scott, have endorsed Ms. Harry if she is as inexperienced as Mr. Anderson portrays. Then they realize that clearly this is a very deceptive marketing ploy and must be rejected.
As for Ms. Harry, she is to be applauded for running such a clean and honest campaign. To find out the true facts of her background, strengths and experience, please visit her website at www.electshandaharryjudge.com
—Natalie Higley, Lakeport
Don Anderson is the best qualified, reader says
Lake County District Attorney, the Honorable Don Anderson, has selflessly and with great wisdom and compassion served the citizens of Lake County for more than 40 years. He literally put his life on the line for the citizens of Lake County numerous times as a Lake County Deputy Sheriff beginning in 1974—first as a reserve deputy, then as a regular deputy, and then later as a major crimes and narcotics detective. While working full-time for the citizens of Lake County, Mr. Anderson earned his Bachelor’s and his law degree, then passed the California Bar exam.
In 1991, Mr. Anderson transitioned from the Sheriff’s department to a practicing private attorney in Lake County; where he continued to serve the citizens of Lake County by personally representing them as their lawyer, Administrative Law Judge for the City of Lakeport, Judge Pro Tem for the Superior Court in Lake County, and Judicial Arbitrator for the Superior Court in Lake County. Then, in 2008, Mr. Anderson was approached by numerous Lake County citizens who saw the desperate need in Lake County for a strong and honest justice process. He was specifically asked (actually implored) to be the next elected District Attorney of Lake County. In 2010, the people of Lake County voted and elected Mr. Anderson as the new District Attorney of Lake County. The people re-elected him 2014. He is still tirelessly serving the citizens of Lake County as the District Attorney.
How has Mr. Anderson done as the District Attorney? (a few examples of his commitment):His conviction rate (which is what we want him to do) is 85 percent. A far cry from the abysmal 58 precent of his predecessor. He recognized the questionable honesty of many defendants, witnesses, and others in court. Showing his visionary leadership, he established the first ever Perjury Investigation and Prosecution Unit in the United States. Mr. Anderson’s leadership vision is applauded across the country. For example: on March 1, 2017, the American Bar Association Journal wrote: this criminal lying “… didn’t sit well with the district attorney, prompting him to launch a new, much-heralded crackdown on perjury… [DA] Anderson formed a perjury prosecution unit, which appears to be the first of its kind in the country. The unit…has the task of exploring and prosecuting perjury cases.”
Mr. Anderson is not just fully qualified, he is the best qualified for Superior Court Judge, Lake County.I write this purely as a neutral and detached observer. I am the former commander of the Lake County Narcotics Task Force/Special Agent Supervisor, CA Dept of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (from this capacity, I’ve personally observed Mr. Anderson’s dedication, reasonableness, and sincere pattern of unwavering commitment. That is what Lake County can expect), and a retired USNR Captain, with over 27-years working intelligence and anti-terrorism operations around the globe.
—George Driscoll
