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Opinion
As a former library clerk and classroom aide at Lakeport Elementary and Terrace Middle School for 29 years, I have experienced first-hand how a great school board can shape our community for the better.
In our rural, close-knit community, we have some great people who are willing to step up and serve in times of need. Carly Alvord, Lakeport Unified School Board candidate, is one of those people.
A key issue in this school board is discipline at the school.
When I was working in the district, (coincidentally, at the same time Carly was a student), we had common sense discipline. Strong discipline builds strong character. Many of us would not be where we are today, had there not been such high expectations for our behavior.
Currently, kids are being taught there are no boundaries. They can curse, hit, spit and throw things without meaningful consequences. This is not OK.
Furthermore, it appears the mass exodus of teachers at the school may be directly related to this discipline policy. Teachers are being treated like punching bags with little authority. If we want our school to succeed, we must address this issue.
Carly understands this and is ready to tackle the issue head-on.
Transparency and the ability to listen are two important traits of any elected official. These are two areas where I believe Carly can also help the Lakeport Unified School Board. She does not mince words or shy away from speaking the truth. She seeks out opinions from others, listens, and takes input seriously.
Carly also has strong ties to the Lakeport community. She grew up here, her family lives here, and she has two children in the district. Being on the school board is not her life’s ambition, but she sees the need, feels strongly about several issues – and she’s willing to step-up and help!
For these reasons, I encourage all Lakeport voters to vote for Carly Alvord, along with her running mates, Dan Buffalo and Jen Hanson. For more information about her campaign, you can visit www.fixLUSD.com.
Michelle Figg lives in Lakeport, Calif.
In our rural, close-knit community, we have some great people who are willing to step up and serve in times of need. Carly Alvord, Lakeport Unified School Board candidate, is one of those people.
A key issue in this school board is discipline at the school.
When I was working in the district, (coincidentally, at the same time Carly was a student), we had common sense discipline. Strong discipline builds strong character. Many of us would not be where we are today, had there not been such high expectations for our behavior.
Currently, kids are being taught there are no boundaries. They can curse, hit, spit and throw things without meaningful consequences. This is not OK.
Furthermore, it appears the mass exodus of teachers at the school may be directly related to this discipline policy. Teachers are being treated like punching bags with little authority. If we want our school to succeed, we must address this issue.
Carly understands this and is ready to tackle the issue head-on.
Transparency and the ability to listen are two important traits of any elected official. These are two areas where I believe Carly can also help the Lakeport Unified School Board. She does not mince words or shy away from speaking the truth. She seeks out opinions from others, listens, and takes input seriously.
Carly also has strong ties to the Lakeport community. She grew up here, her family lives here, and she has two children in the district. Being on the school board is not her life’s ambition, but she sees the need, feels strongly about several issues – and she’s willing to step-up and help!
For these reasons, I encourage all Lakeport voters to vote for Carly Alvord, along with her running mates, Dan Buffalo and Jen Hanson. For more information about her campaign, you can visit www.fixLUSD.com.
Michelle Figg lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Michelle Figg
Please don’t flush $45 million down the drain. Vote NO on Prop. 6.
Lake County voters, please be aware of the consequences of your vote. If you repeal the gas tax, which is what Proposition 6 is intended to do, we lose out on $45 million for our road repairs. Where else are we going to get $45 million? Nowhere. The funds do not exist within Lake County budgets. Voting no on Prop 6 is our only hope for money to repair our roads.
Our Lake County Public Works director has identified specific roads scheduled for repair, provided the gas tax remains in place.
The estimated amount of money we are expected to receive from gas tax revenues is $45 million over 10 years. This Web site, www.fixcaroads.com, shows the projects. Click on Local Projects tab. For example: Repair the Bachelor Creek Bridge on SR 20 near Upper Lake in Lake County. Also, Installing sidewalks along Hartley Street in the City of Lakeport for student safety. Vote no on Prop. 6 so Lake County can get shovels in the ground for these projects!
The gas tax, which was implemented by our legislators under Senate Bill 1 (SB1), has specific language indicating what it can and can’t be used for. It will not be used for high speed rail. I saw an opinion piece published suggesting that the money could be used to give raises to California Highway Patrol officers and fund the public employees retirement systems. This is simply cynical fear-mongering and outright false.
Criticism that gas tax revenues will be raided and used for other general funds needs is actually addressed in SB 1. In the past, when cash was tight, money was borrowed from gas tax funds and transferred to the general fund. Under SB1, all moneys previously borrowed from gas tax funds will be repaid. So not only is further borrowing prohibited, all prior loans must be repaid.
Proposition 6 will only succeed in killing thousands of jobs, and our opportunity to finally fund long overdue bridge and road repairs. Vote no on Prop. 6.
Susan Cameron lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
Lake County voters, please be aware of the consequences of your vote. If you repeal the gas tax, which is what Proposition 6 is intended to do, we lose out on $45 million for our road repairs. Where else are we going to get $45 million? Nowhere. The funds do not exist within Lake County budgets. Voting no on Prop 6 is our only hope for money to repair our roads.
Our Lake County Public Works director has identified specific roads scheduled for repair, provided the gas tax remains in place.
The estimated amount of money we are expected to receive from gas tax revenues is $45 million over 10 years. This Web site, www.fixcaroads.com, shows the projects. Click on Local Projects tab. For example: Repair the Bachelor Creek Bridge on SR 20 near Upper Lake in Lake County. Also, Installing sidewalks along Hartley Street in the City of Lakeport for student safety. Vote no on Prop. 6 so Lake County can get shovels in the ground for these projects!
The gas tax, which was implemented by our legislators under Senate Bill 1 (SB1), has specific language indicating what it can and can’t be used for. It will not be used for high speed rail. I saw an opinion piece published suggesting that the money could be used to give raises to California Highway Patrol officers and fund the public employees retirement systems. This is simply cynical fear-mongering and outright false.
Criticism that gas tax revenues will be raided and used for other general funds needs is actually addressed in SB 1. In the past, when cash was tight, money was borrowed from gas tax funds and transferred to the general fund. Under SB1, all moneys previously borrowed from gas tax funds will be repaid. So not only is further borrowing prohibited, all prior loans must be repaid.
Proposition 6 will only succeed in killing thousands of jobs, and our opportunity to finally fund long overdue bridge and road repairs. Vote no on Prop. 6.
Susan Cameron lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
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- Written by: Susan Cameron
My close friends and the public need to know that the board members of the Lakeport Unified School District have not listened to the teachers or to the community who have spoken at board meetings and sent letters and emails.
Saying that “We have heard you” and continuing on the same path is evidence they have not heard.
The issues are:
Safety: We have had major problems in the district. Lacking a reasonable discipline policy, children and teachers have been assaulted. Classrooms have been torn apart and teachers lack support. Parents are taking their children out of Lakeport schools. We need to fix the serious safety issues that have been allowed to develop at our schools.
Mass exodus of teachers: More than 50 percent of the elementary teachers left the school this year and many more from the upper grades. This is a trend that will continue unless meaningful changes are made. We need to fix the way we treat our teachers and volunteers
Fiscal management: We need to fix the fiscal management of our school district. It turns out that in spending the bond money, the board did not prioritize the pool, which now may not be built. This was one of the main reasons the bond passed. They have also approved additional administrative positions which do not improve student outcomes, but increase the budget.
I ask you to join me on Nov. 6 and vote for the two women and the buffalo: Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson.
Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger, former Lake County superintendent of schools, lives in Lakeport, Calif.
Saying that “We have heard you” and continuing on the same path is evidence they have not heard.
The issues are:
Safety: We have had major problems in the district. Lacking a reasonable discipline policy, children and teachers have been assaulted. Classrooms have been torn apart and teachers lack support. Parents are taking their children out of Lakeport schools. We need to fix the serious safety issues that have been allowed to develop at our schools.
Mass exodus of teachers: More than 50 percent of the elementary teachers left the school this year and many more from the upper grades. This is a trend that will continue unless meaningful changes are made. We need to fix the way we treat our teachers and volunteers
Fiscal management: We need to fix the fiscal management of our school district. It turns out that in spending the bond money, the board did not prioritize the pool, which now may not be built. This was one of the main reasons the bond passed. They have also approved additional administrative positions which do not improve student outcomes, but increase the budget.
I ask you to join me on Nov. 6 and vote for the two women and the buffalo: Carly Alvord, Dan Buffalo and Jennifer Hanson.
Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger, former Lake County superintendent of schools, lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Dr. Judith E. Luchsinger
Lake County district attorney, the Honorable Don Anderson, has selflessly and with great wisdom and compassion served the citizens of Lake County for over 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.
His dedication and work ethic are second to none. While working full-time for the citizens of Lake County, Mr. Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree 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 percent 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.”
In November, 2017, the 7,000-plus members (law enforcement and prosecutors) of the California Narcotic Officers' Association recognized and awarded Mr. Anderson with the prestigious Narcotic Prosecutor of the Year Award for his outstanding efforts for the citizens of Lake County. The criteria for this award are daunting, and demands proof of a lifetime of commitment and dedication to our community.
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, California 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 lives in Walnut Creek, Calif.
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.
His dedication and work ethic are second to none. While working full-time for the citizens of Lake County, Mr. Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree 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 percent 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.”
In November, 2017, the 7,000-plus members (law enforcement and prosecutors) of the California Narcotic Officers' Association recognized and awarded Mr. Anderson with the prestigious Narcotic Prosecutor of the Year Award for his outstanding efforts for the citizens of Lake County. The criteria for this award are daunting, and demands proof of a lifetime of commitment and dedication to our community.
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, California 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 lives in Walnut Creek, Calif.
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- Written by: George Driscoll