Vote yes on Measure U says former resident
There is an initiative on the ballot in the city of Kelseyville in Lake County, CA, to rename the town Konocti. While not binding, the result of the referendum passing will be that the Board of Supervisors recommend approval of the proposal to change the name of the town of “Kelseyville” to “Konocti.”
I am weighing on this conversation as a concerned citizen and community member who formerly resided in Kelseyville/Konocti and still maintains close family and social ties there.
I did my student teaching at Kelseyville High School, hosted “Wake Up & Thrive,” a radio program on KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio, served as a grassroots community organizer with Transition Lake County, and ran twice for US Congress for what was then California’s 5th district, challenging Mike Thompson in an effort to see more visionary leadership in Washington with greater social, racial, environmental and economic justice for all.
My concern today, though, is not a past election. It is this current one. The people of Lake County have the ability to make a powerful declaration in this election: that we as a people are willing to acknowledge our history and learn from it.
It may not be easy for us as a society to reckon with the fact that we live on stolen land, and that this country was built on atrocities like indigenous genocide and chattel slavery — but as thinking people, as caring people, confronting the mistakes we’ve made is a responsibility we must embrace.
I am sure many of my friends and loved ones will identify more with the “Save Kelseyville” sentiment that aims to maintain the status quo, because as people who grew up in Kelseyville and went to Kelseyville High School and shop at Kelseyville Lumber, many people share a story that they are, that we are, Kelseyville.
To those who identify with the name “Kelseyville,” and those of us who love Kelseyville like I do, my request is that you please consider this land. Consider where you really are. It’s not hidden underneath the concrete. It is right there, staring out at us all every day, on the shore of our resplendent lake. Konocti. The Mountain of Medicine.
We are not Kelseyville. We are Konocti.
We do not need to identify with the rapist, slaver and colonist who brutalized indigenous people on this land. We are better than that. We have evolved beyond that. And we have a chance now to show the world (and ourselves) that we have moved beyond colonization and brutality.
Those opposing the town’s name change have chosen “Save Kelseyville” as the slogan. But if we really want to save this place and the people who live here, we can start by doing things right. What will save us is not defending the racism of the past, but moving beyond it and behaving honorably together.
I wish I could vote on it with you, because I am Konocti just like you — but for now I’ll have to be satisfied with these words encouraging you all to “save Kelseyville” by voting YES on Measure U.
People, we are better than “Kelseyville.” We are not “Kelseyville.”
We are Konocti.
—Nils Palsson, Cotati
Long-time resident favors keeping the Kelseyville name
As a 95-year-old Kelseyville native, 73 years of which I have been a resident here, I think I have a right to weigh-in on the name-changing controversy. Kelseyville is our historic name, assigned to us because Kelsey was an early pioneer, not in honor of any onerous deeds done by one man named Kelsey. Most of the Kelseys were honorable and some notable for community service.
I, personally knew members of the family. John Kelsey was one of our early District Supervisors. I went to school with some of his later relatives, all decent folks. In light of this history and all of the attendant confusion and expense of a name-change would entail, I think it would be foolish to change it. I am in favor of keeping our historic name, Kelseyville. I am also a fervent supporter of our native American population, many of whom I consider personal friends.
— Betty Brookes, Kelseyville
