Political letters
Reader believes Shanda Harry represents a new era
Our family has lived in Lake County for 30 years…that does not include the many years (to be exact, 12 years) my husband,Bill Van Pelt, our two older sons Garth and Dana and my brother, Steve commuted every day from Ukiah. Bill drove against the sun going over to the white rock quarry on the side of Mt. Konocti and home again with the grueling sun in his eyes. Some of you readers may think that we were responsible for the scarring of the white rock cut in the mountain shown in an aerial photograph taken from outer space but that photo was taken before we started quarrying.
I really thought my husband had taken leave of his senses, to even think of quarrying. This rattlesnake infested place and the glare of the white rock cliffs made one see pink.
The equipment was so antiquated, the two loaders, had no brakes, A/C, heaters and no windshields. I don’t think the boys, Garth and Dana, ever collided with a truck when loading it. We did have one mishap and that was when Dana’s German Short hair dog got his tail run over when Dana was loading a truck. He survived but just had a short tail. I don’t know what he was doing as he usually ran “shotgun” with Dana. MSHA would have had a field day with us but we were too far out in the “boonies” for them to find us.
Everyday Bill drove down to Hitchcock Bros. and played cribbage with John Hitchcock. It’s a game that’s been played in our family for at least three generations.
And now time has gone by…Bill died in 2004. I am not proud of how our businesses are now being handled.
The only good thing that became of working the white rock quarry on the side of Mt. Konocti was when the owner of “Red Lava Products” came to Bill and asked him to help run his quarry. Negotiations didn’t go easily but after several months we eventually took over the red rock quarry, renamed it, “Clearlake Lava”, and grew a business beyond our expectations. Our employees were like family and contributed much to our success. I took a poll once and everyone of our 30 some employees were buying their own homes in Lake County.
We, the people of Lake County have a chance to make a change in our Lake County government, Shanda Harry, a vibrant,intelligent and honest young woman is running for Superior Court Judge her qualifications match those of our courageous just retired Justice Sandra Day O’ Connor.
I like to say, “A new day is dawning” and that day will be Tuesday, November 6, 2018 when Shanda Harry is elected Superior Court Judge of Lake County.
—Beverly J. Van Pelt, Clearlake Oaks
Reader believes Anderson is the right choice for Superior Court Judge
When you vote for Don Anderson, you will bring a solid track record of integrity, compassion, and creative thinking to the bench.
I have practiced law in Lake County for 40 years. I have spent most of those years as a criminal defense lawyer. It is in that capacity that I have come to respect the integrity of my opposition, District Attorney Anderson.
I have interacted with Don in all of his many public service roles, as well as his role as a private lawyer. I have never had occasion to doubt his word or to believe that he had some secret agenda. Other than the occasional business lunch, I have never socialized with him. I have no secret agenda in my support for Don. I am convinced that he is not only the most professionally qualified contender, he is the single contender most likely to bring the necessary compassion and judicial temperament to our courts.
While no one can match Judge Hedstrom’s stellar work ethic or depth of judicial experience, Don Anderson is most likely to achieve the appropriate temperament.
We have a proud history on our bench of former District Attorneys, including Judge Robert Crone and Judge Stephen Hedstrom. They had “conflicts” as former District Attorneys, but those conflicts paled into insignificance in the light of the vast experience they brought to the bench.
It is not only guilty people who come before the courts. Someday, you or a close friend or family member may find yourself wrongfully accused. When that happens, you are going to want to have Don Anderson acting as your judge. Do yourself a favor, vote for Don Anderson.
—Mitchell Hauptman, Lakeport
