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I would like to speak to a concern regarding the Pacific Gas & Electric power shutoff.
As a senior I spoke to other seniors who struggled with the power outage. The real struggle was not having any way to communicate with the outside world. In many cases people did not have cell phone or landline use. Seniors were isolated and what if they needed help? I was alone and guarded my cell phone use as I was afraid I would lose battery power.
How could people access the PG&E website if they had no Internet or cell phone connection?
If PG&E had been maintaining the power lines all along fires could have been prevented. We just did not all of a sudden have issues with fire danger this has been an ongoing issue in California yes and made worse by climate change.
But let's get back to the people left on their own during the outage "event." Turning off the power in the dead of night was a mistake. I think given the light of day, people would have been better able to cope with a difficult situation.
When I did talk to PG&E after our area got an all clear they said the lines were being looked at before the power could be turned back on. I said but it is getting dark and the agent said we work in the dark which contradicts what was said by a PG&E spokesperson last night on the news when they said PG&E can only check the lines during the day.
Why did PG&E not tell us there might be difficulties getting our land line back? AT&T was impacted and even though I had power it was almost a whole day later before I had my land line cut on and the internet. Now I am struggling with my ADT service because it may take a week before my system can communicate with my phone. Meanwhile every half hour my phone rings and my system beeps. AADT said it may take a week to correct the system.
I think more attention needed to be taken by PG&E in terms of people not having access to updates and their communication devices especially seniors.
Sue Williams lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
As a senior I spoke to other seniors who struggled with the power outage. The real struggle was not having any way to communicate with the outside world. In many cases people did not have cell phone or landline use. Seniors were isolated and what if they needed help? I was alone and guarded my cell phone use as I was afraid I would lose battery power.
How could people access the PG&E website if they had no Internet or cell phone connection?
If PG&E had been maintaining the power lines all along fires could have been prevented. We just did not all of a sudden have issues with fire danger this has been an ongoing issue in California yes and made worse by climate change.
But let's get back to the people left on their own during the outage "event." Turning off the power in the dead of night was a mistake. I think given the light of day, people would have been better able to cope with a difficult situation.
When I did talk to PG&E after our area got an all clear they said the lines were being looked at before the power could be turned back on. I said but it is getting dark and the agent said we work in the dark which contradicts what was said by a PG&E spokesperson last night on the news when they said PG&E can only check the lines during the day.
Why did PG&E not tell us there might be difficulties getting our land line back? AT&T was impacted and even though I had power it was almost a whole day later before I had my land line cut on and the internet. Now I am struggling with my ADT service because it may take a week before my system can communicate with my phone. Meanwhile every half hour my phone rings and my system beeps. AADT said it may take a week to correct the system.
I think more attention needed to be taken by PG&E in terms of people not having access to updates and their communication devices especially seniors.
Sue Williams lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
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- Written by: Sue Williams
All Lake County residents are well aware of the eight mega fires of the last four years. Only recently while attending East Region Town Hall, District 3, meetings have I learned about the condition of firefighting and firehouse conditions on the Northshore.
Recently, I was very surprised to see fire trucks at my neighbor's house. If those trucks had not arrived so quickly, her house and other homes might have burned. It was a problem with her air conditioner – smoke was pouring out of it. These firemen knew just what to do and disaster was avoided.
But think what might have happened if the firefighters’ equipment had broken down on the way to her house. Or, if a door at the firehouse had failed and they were unable to get out their equipment.
Last week I attended a meeting regarding the firehouses and equipment that protect District 3 which includes Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Bartlett Springs and Spring Valley. I learned about how outdated much of the equipment and firehouses are.
It is not only fire protection but also their emergency medical response service we receive that is so important. They serve this community so well. When someone calls, they are there. Again, they need updated equipment and well trained people.
Remember, we are also in earthquake country. We need to not only update equipment, but we have firehouses that would not hold up during a quake. Action needs to be taken now on these issues, as well as insuring our firefighters are paid adequate salaries. We even have to take into consideration the higher cost of gasoline, which again makes the overall cost of operation increase.
We know it will cost a little more in taxes, but yes on Measure N is very low cost insurance, at $10.50 a month, for ourselves, our neighbors, and the beautiful Northshore community.
Please talk to your neighbors and friends about the reasons all in District 3 need to vote “yes” on Measure N on Nov. 5. Let's get the two thirds vote that will protect 100 percent of the Northshore.
Leona Butts lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
Recently, I was very surprised to see fire trucks at my neighbor's house. If those trucks had not arrived so quickly, her house and other homes might have burned. It was a problem with her air conditioner – smoke was pouring out of it. These firemen knew just what to do and disaster was avoided.
But think what might have happened if the firefighters’ equipment had broken down on the way to her house. Or, if a door at the firehouse had failed and they were unable to get out their equipment.
Last week I attended a meeting regarding the firehouses and equipment that protect District 3 which includes Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Bartlett Springs and Spring Valley. I learned about how outdated much of the equipment and firehouses are.
It is not only fire protection but also their emergency medical response service we receive that is so important. They serve this community so well. When someone calls, they are there. Again, they need updated equipment and well trained people.
Remember, we are also in earthquake country. We need to not only update equipment, but we have firehouses that would not hold up during a quake. Action needs to be taken now on these issues, as well as insuring our firefighters are paid adequate salaries. We even have to take into consideration the higher cost of gasoline, which again makes the overall cost of operation increase.
We know it will cost a little more in taxes, but yes on Measure N is very low cost insurance, at $10.50 a month, for ourselves, our neighbors, and the beautiful Northshore community.
Please talk to your neighbors and friends about the reasons all in District 3 need to vote “yes” on Measure N on Nov. 5. Let's get the two thirds vote that will protect 100 percent of the Northshore.
Leona Butts lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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- Written by: Leona Butts
I will make my plea for the passage of Fire Measure N very brief and to the point.
Our Northshore Fire Department urgently needs the passage of fire Measure N simply because they need to be current and up to date on their equipment, manpower and their ability to continue to save lives.
What impresses me most is the four-minute rule to save life. It could be your life. Sixty percent or more calls are medical. So we need quick response.
The cost is minimal. Twenty cents a day is a very small amount to ensure our safety from both fire and medical emergencies.
Get out and vote “yes” on fire Measure N.
We can all rest more soundly at night knowing that our Northshore Fire Department will be supplied with the best equipment and ready to continue to respond to any emergency when we pass fire Measure N!
Please join me. Yes on N!
Claudine Pedroncelli lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
Our Northshore Fire Department urgently needs the passage of fire Measure N simply because they need to be current and up to date on their equipment, manpower and their ability to continue to save lives.
What impresses me most is the four-minute rule to save life. It could be your life. Sixty percent or more calls are medical. So we need quick response.
The cost is minimal. Twenty cents a day is a very small amount to ensure our safety from both fire and medical emergencies.
Get out and vote “yes” on fire Measure N.
We can all rest more soundly at night knowing that our Northshore Fire Department will be supplied with the best equipment and ready to continue to respond to any emergency when we pass fire Measure N!
Please join me. Yes on N!
Claudine Pedroncelli lives in Upper Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Claudine Pedroncelli
The eight fire emergencies of the last four years have demonstrated the need to respond to fires fast to keep our neighbors safe.
It’s been more than 15 years since the Northshore Fire Protection District budget has been increased. As a result, the district is facing hard times and the Friends of Northshore Fire are asking District 3 voters to support Measure N to bring in badly needed resources. The election is on Nov. 5.
District 3, on the county’s Northshore, is the biggest in the county, 357 square miles and 47 miles of highway. Our fire district serves about 10,000 residents in the communities of Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Bartlett Springs, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, High Valley, Spring Valley, Long Valley, Double Eagle and several other small communities.
That’s a lot of ground to cover and people to serve. Our firefighters do a great job responding to fires, medical emergencies and automobile accidents. But when engines break down or the station doors don’t open or personal gear malfunctions, delayed responses are inevitable and the consequences can be dire.
In our fire-prone environments keeping fires small so they don’t spread to a neighbors home or other building requires fast response. And it goes without saying that the faster help arrives to a medical emergency, the better the odds of surviving.
If approved by voters, Measure N will enable better training and retention of fire fighting personnel. It will allow the hiring of additional fire fighters for 24/7 coverage at the Upper Lake station bringing it up to par with the other stations in the district and allowing for faster response to calls in and around Upper Lake. Measure N will also replace very old equipment and engines and get our fire stations in compliance with basic standards. More importantly, it will enable our firefighters to respond faster to fire and other emergencies.
I’m a former fire chief so I am familiar with the needs of the district. In the case of Measure N, the money collected stays in our local fire district budget – it can’t be used for other purposes. Also, Measure N replaces the current fees beginning next July. The new tax on a single-family residence will be $126 a year, about $2.50 a month.
For more information about Measure N, check www.friendsofnorthshorefd.org, send an email toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-274-3100 and someone on the committee will respond.
It’s not right to ask our fire fighters to do a job with less than optimum tools. Measure N will change that.
Jim Burton is the retired fire chief of Clearlake Oaks, Calif. He also chairs the Northshore Fire Protection District Board.
It’s been more than 15 years since the Northshore Fire Protection District budget has been increased. As a result, the district is facing hard times and the Friends of Northshore Fire are asking District 3 voters to support Measure N to bring in badly needed resources. The election is on Nov. 5.
District 3, on the county’s Northshore, is the biggest in the county, 357 square miles and 47 miles of highway. Our fire district serves about 10,000 residents in the communities of Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Bartlett Springs, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, High Valley, Spring Valley, Long Valley, Double Eagle and several other small communities.
That’s a lot of ground to cover and people to serve. Our firefighters do a great job responding to fires, medical emergencies and automobile accidents. But when engines break down or the station doors don’t open or personal gear malfunctions, delayed responses are inevitable and the consequences can be dire.
In our fire-prone environments keeping fires small so they don’t spread to a neighbors home or other building requires fast response. And it goes without saying that the faster help arrives to a medical emergency, the better the odds of surviving.
If approved by voters, Measure N will enable better training and retention of fire fighting personnel. It will allow the hiring of additional fire fighters for 24/7 coverage at the Upper Lake station bringing it up to par with the other stations in the district and allowing for faster response to calls in and around Upper Lake. Measure N will also replace very old equipment and engines and get our fire stations in compliance with basic standards. More importantly, it will enable our firefighters to respond faster to fire and other emergencies.
I’m a former fire chief so I am familiar with the needs of the district. In the case of Measure N, the money collected stays in our local fire district budget – it can’t be used for other purposes. Also, Measure N replaces the current fees beginning next July. The new tax on a single-family residence will be $126 a year, about $2.50 a month.
For more information about Measure N, check www.friendsofnorthshorefd.org, send an email to
It’s not right to ask our fire fighters to do a job with less than optimum tools. Measure N will change that.
Jim Burton is the retired fire chief of Clearlake Oaks, Calif. He also chairs the Northshore Fire Protection District Board.
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- Written by: Jim Burton