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Opinion
I want to remind your readers that politicians that take donations from corporate lobbyists and super PACs are working for corporations and not you, the voter.
Please research candidates before you vote and try to vote for corporate-free candidates. These are the people trying to work for you.
A perfect example is lieutenant governor candidate Gayle McLaughlin (and no, I do not work for her). I met Gayle at a glyphosate forum in Napa and I marched with her in Santa Rosa on May Day. If you aren't familiar with her story, it’s definitely worth reading about. She is a true people's hero.
One of her plans is to use her office as lieutenant governor to unite all kinds of civil rights groups and environmental groups and health awareness groups so that we can organize and mobilize and keep each other aware of the issues that we are facing.
A really great example is the fight in Vallejo to prevent the Orcem cement factory from going in to an area within range of many schools and residences.
Folks in Eureka or San Diego will have no idea what's been going on or how the people have been fighting it – what's worked and what hasn't.
And when we are finally successful in stopping this horror story, Orcem may try to inflict their asthma-inducing particle clouds somewhere else. Maybe it will be near you, and it will be useful to have that communication available through that kind of progressive alliance.
So again, please vote on June 5 and vote for corporate free candidates. Thank you.
Jason Kishineff lives in American Canyon, Calif., and is a Green Party candidate for California’s Fifth Congressional District.
Please research candidates before you vote and try to vote for corporate-free candidates. These are the people trying to work for you.
A perfect example is lieutenant governor candidate Gayle McLaughlin (and no, I do not work for her). I met Gayle at a glyphosate forum in Napa and I marched with her in Santa Rosa on May Day. If you aren't familiar with her story, it’s definitely worth reading about. She is a true people's hero.
One of her plans is to use her office as lieutenant governor to unite all kinds of civil rights groups and environmental groups and health awareness groups so that we can organize and mobilize and keep each other aware of the issues that we are facing.
A really great example is the fight in Vallejo to prevent the Orcem cement factory from going in to an area within range of many schools and residences.
Folks in Eureka or San Diego will have no idea what's been going on or how the people have been fighting it – what's worked and what hasn't.
And when we are finally successful in stopping this horror story, Orcem may try to inflict their asthma-inducing particle clouds somewhere else. Maybe it will be near you, and it will be useful to have that communication available through that kind of progressive alliance.
So again, please vote on June 5 and vote for corporate free candidates. Thank you.
Jason Kishineff lives in American Canyon, Calif., and is a Green Party candidate for California’s Fifth Congressional District.
- Details
- Written by: Jason Kishineff
It is time to fill out our ballots and mail them in or go vote. There are obvious choices and a few guesses with little or no research. But the District Attorney race is different.
From following the local county news for many years, it is obvious that the DA position is very powerful, with significant consequences for all of us county residents. Most of the “justice” we see happen in our county is determined by the DA’s office. These cases are usually resolved via plea bargaining without the participation of a judge or a jury. I believe that many of these plea bargain compromises we witness benefit the accused without sufficient regard for the victims of the crimes or for the safety of the rest of us in the county. Regardless of the results, the DA is clearly in a position of power, probably the most powerful position in our entire justice system.
I knew of Steve Brown, met him once, and was familiar with his family’s longtime ties to our community. I did not know Susan Krones, however her experience as a deputy DA and her time served as a captain in the Army (I am a veteran) gave her a slight edge in my initial assessment. My next step was to do some research and determine who was endorsing these two candidates, and who was funding them.
Both candidates have a significant number of endorsements from residents and businesses as one would expect. I was most interested in law enforcement and justice system endorsements.
Krones was endorsed by the Lake County Correctional Officers Association. When trying to understand their criteria, I was surprised to find that they did not interview Steve Brown. Their endorsement was based on knowing Krones in her role as deputy DA. I believe they had little or no knowledge of Brown.
Krones also is endorsed by the Lake County Deputy District Attorney’s Association, not surprising as she is and has been a deputy DA and is a member of the association. But also, somewhat surprising to me, the Deputy DA Association chose not to even interview Brown to understand his views and plans.
These two endorsements indicate to me that Susan Krones was respected by these organizations based on their past experiences with her, but they indicate little about who would provide a better service to the county as DA being they chose not to understand Brown’s goals and objectives for the office.
The Lakeport Police Officers Association endorsed Brown, they also worked for many years with Krones and took the important step of learning how Brown would approach the important DA’s Office. Based on this endorsement’s consideration of both candidates’ intentions and objectives, I find this endorsement for Brown to be very significant.
My research on who funded (donated money to) the candidates was most telling to me. Brown’s funding came primarily from residents and businesses within Lake County, no surprises. Krones’ funding included some out-of-county sources.
In fact, her single largest donation came from Smart Justice California with a primary office in San Francisco. This group is affiliated with and follows the guidance of the American Civil Liberties Union.
This was a red flag to me. The ACLU’s Smart Justice is a nationwide effort and very active in California. Their goals are many and seem to be more for the benefit of convicted felons rather than victims and the safety of law-abiding citizens.
Their goals include:
– Reducing the number of the incarcerated (budget motivation);
– Bail reform, including moving to no jail time prior to conviction (supposedly to protect the rights of the poor that cannot produce bail, but a serious impact to public safety);
– Earlier and more lenient parole (again budget vs public safety);
– Reduce the consequences of being a convicted felon;
– Tie hands of prosecutors to control sentencing, limit jail time.
While these goals carefully implemented make sense in special situations (such as trying to keep young first offenders out of prison and into rehabilitation), recent experience has shown that there are many unintended consequences and public safety is frequently at risk when we become too lenient with repeat and violent offenders. So far “Smart Justice” according to my research has created more problems than it resolved.
Why does this contribution raise a red flag to me? When your largest contributor is a very aggressive ACLU-based movement, I believe you have a debt to pay. I think the operation of our county DA’s Office could be influenced in the direction of Smart Justice without proper consideration of our safety. I do not know that to be the case, but why take the risk?
The conclusion of this research is quite simple, and favorable for Steve Brown. The considerable experience Susan Krones has is of little value if one questions the way the DA office has been run in recent years. In my opinion far too many dangerous criminals have received very limited sentences due to plea bargaining and questionable DA office objectives. We do not need a DA that has been trained in this approach.
And as stated Krones being indebted to the powerful ACLU Smart Justice movement is problematic. While some of this movement’s guidance is proper, our DA should not be influenced by anything other than our safety.
And, the two endorsements previously discussed for Krones are suspect since Brown was not also interviewed and his plans were not considered.
In summary, I believe Steve Brown, an experienced successful local attorney with strong Lake County roots, is best prepared to focus on prosecuting our defendants in a manner that ensures the safety of our community.
No outside influence. No favors owed. He gets my vote.
Ed Calkins lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
From following the local county news for many years, it is obvious that the DA position is very powerful, with significant consequences for all of us county residents. Most of the “justice” we see happen in our county is determined by the DA’s office. These cases are usually resolved via plea bargaining without the participation of a judge or a jury. I believe that many of these plea bargain compromises we witness benefit the accused without sufficient regard for the victims of the crimes or for the safety of the rest of us in the county. Regardless of the results, the DA is clearly in a position of power, probably the most powerful position in our entire justice system.
I knew of Steve Brown, met him once, and was familiar with his family’s longtime ties to our community. I did not know Susan Krones, however her experience as a deputy DA and her time served as a captain in the Army (I am a veteran) gave her a slight edge in my initial assessment. My next step was to do some research and determine who was endorsing these two candidates, and who was funding them.
Both candidates have a significant number of endorsements from residents and businesses as one would expect. I was most interested in law enforcement and justice system endorsements.
Krones was endorsed by the Lake County Correctional Officers Association. When trying to understand their criteria, I was surprised to find that they did not interview Steve Brown. Their endorsement was based on knowing Krones in her role as deputy DA. I believe they had little or no knowledge of Brown.
Krones also is endorsed by the Lake County Deputy District Attorney’s Association, not surprising as she is and has been a deputy DA and is a member of the association. But also, somewhat surprising to me, the Deputy DA Association chose not to even interview Brown to understand his views and plans.
These two endorsements indicate to me that Susan Krones was respected by these organizations based on their past experiences with her, but they indicate little about who would provide a better service to the county as DA being they chose not to understand Brown’s goals and objectives for the office.
The Lakeport Police Officers Association endorsed Brown, they also worked for many years with Krones and took the important step of learning how Brown would approach the important DA’s Office. Based on this endorsement’s consideration of both candidates’ intentions and objectives, I find this endorsement for Brown to be very significant.
My research on who funded (donated money to) the candidates was most telling to me. Brown’s funding came primarily from residents and businesses within Lake County, no surprises. Krones’ funding included some out-of-county sources.
In fact, her single largest donation came from Smart Justice California with a primary office in San Francisco. This group is affiliated with and follows the guidance of the American Civil Liberties Union.
This was a red flag to me. The ACLU’s Smart Justice is a nationwide effort and very active in California. Their goals are many and seem to be more for the benefit of convicted felons rather than victims and the safety of law-abiding citizens.
Their goals include:
– Reducing the number of the incarcerated (budget motivation);
– Bail reform, including moving to no jail time prior to conviction (supposedly to protect the rights of the poor that cannot produce bail, but a serious impact to public safety);
– Earlier and more lenient parole (again budget vs public safety);
– Reduce the consequences of being a convicted felon;
– Tie hands of prosecutors to control sentencing, limit jail time.
While these goals carefully implemented make sense in special situations (such as trying to keep young first offenders out of prison and into rehabilitation), recent experience has shown that there are many unintended consequences and public safety is frequently at risk when we become too lenient with repeat and violent offenders. So far “Smart Justice” according to my research has created more problems than it resolved.
Why does this contribution raise a red flag to me? When your largest contributor is a very aggressive ACLU-based movement, I believe you have a debt to pay. I think the operation of our county DA’s Office could be influenced in the direction of Smart Justice without proper consideration of our safety. I do not know that to be the case, but why take the risk?
The conclusion of this research is quite simple, and favorable for Steve Brown. The considerable experience Susan Krones has is of little value if one questions the way the DA office has been run in recent years. In my opinion far too many dangerous criminals have received very limited sentences due to plea bargaining and questionable DA office objectives. We do not need a DA that has been trained in this approach.
And as stated Krones being indebted to the powerful ACLU Smart Justice movement is problematic. While some of this movement’s guidance is proper, our DA should not be influenced by anything other than our safety.
And, the two endorsements previously discussed for Krones are suspect since Brown was not also interviewed and his plans were not considered.
In summary, I believe Steve Brown, an experienced successful local attorney with strong Lake County roots, is best prepared to focus on prosecuting our defendants in a manner that ensures the safety of our community.
No outside influence. No favors owed. He gets my vote.
Ed Calkins lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Ed Calkins
For the past several months the people in the District Attorney’s Office have had to listen to the ridicule coming out of the district attorney’s race. Now in a letter to the editor by Shirley Howland she repeats the misguided allegations of one candidate.
I have stayed out of this race and tried to let the candidates sell themselves to the public. However, now instead of running on their own merits, they not only attack me, but also attack the good people that work at the DA’s Office. Below is my response to the allegations.
The Alternative to Community Service program is similar to a program out of Pueblo, Colorado. Rather than do community service out of state or county, which does not benefit Lake County, a defendant is allowed to make a contribution to a Lake County charity.
With this program, I have been able to put tens of thousands of meals in front of hungry families, shoes on children that cannot afford them, give money the seniors, veterans, women shelters and others. A total of about 77 charities or nonprofits have shared about $250,000. The list is available at the DA’s Office at any time.
Allegations are that I give preferential treatment to certain people; however, no examples are given so it is hard to respond. There are strict laws governing conflicts which are monitored and strictly adhere to. No family, friends or others have ever received special treatment. As with all employees I am walled off of a case with a conflict or the case is handled by the state attorney general.
The letter says I have a private law practice out of county and I do not work full time. In the seven and a half years here I have helped four friends, for free, when they could not afford an attorney. This is within county policy.
I have an average 50-hour work week and more if I am in trial. In seven and a half years as the district attorney I have never taken a vacation of more than two days and have never once called in sick.
The letter and candidate claim I mismanage cases and talk of only two or three cases. Since I have been DA there have been about 45,000 cases come through this office. I’m sure that there have been many cases where errors were made, but not the ones the candidate mentioned.
In a marijuana cultivation case, I had to sign a release stating none of the 100 legal guns had any evidentiary value. There is no law allowing us to keep legal guns from legal owners.
Lastly, the candidate and letter claims there is no need for a perjury intervention unit and it is a waste of taxpayer money. First, there is no extra taxpayer costs incurred by this unit.
The letter claims we should let perjury prosecution follow the normal course. But before the unit, the normal course has been one prosecution in about 50 years, and none in civil or family court. Since the establishment of the unit we have filed eight cases, six have been adjudicated and two are pending trial. There are several others still being investigated.
This unit also has an educational component to it. We will often address mediation classes and lecture litigants regarding perjury. The reports we get back from the courts and staff is that there is a substantial difference, which proves the effectiveness of the unit. It appears the only ones opposed to the perjury unit are those that lie in court or are running for office.
The people working for the District Attorney’s Office have been doing a great job for many years and should be recognized for their hard work and achievements and not ridiculed with false allegations for political purposes.
Don Anderson is district attorney of Lake County, Calif., and also a candidate for Superior Court judge.
I have stayed out of this race and tried to let the candidates sell themselves to the public. However, now instead of running on their own merits, they not only attack me, but also attack the good people that work at the DA’s Office. Below is my response to the allegations.
The Alternative to Community Service program is similar to a program out of Pueblo, Colorado. Rather than do community service out of state or county, which does not benefit Lake County, a defendant is allowed to make a contribution to a Lake County charity.
With this program, I have been able to put tens of thousands of meals in front of hungry families, shoes on children that cannot afford them, give money the seniors, veterans, women shelters and others. A total of about 77 charities or nonprofits have shared about $250,000. The list is available at the DA’s Office at any time.
Allegations are that I give preferential treatment to certain people; however, no examples are given so it is hard to respond. There are strict laws governing conflicts which are monitored and strictly adhere to. No family, friends or others have ever received special treatment. As with all employees I am walled off of a case with a conflict or the case is handled by the state attorney general.
The letter says I have a private law practice out of county and I do not work full time. In the seven and a half years here I have helped four friends, for free, when they could not afford an attorney. This is within county policy.
I have an average 50-hour work week and more if I am in trial. In seven and a half years as the district attorney I have never taken a vacation of more than two days and have never once called in sick.
The letter and candidate claim I mismanage cases and talk of only two or three cases. Since I have been DA there have been about 45,000 cases come through this office. I’m sure that there have been many cases where errors were made, but not the ones the candidate mentioned.
In a marijuana cultivation case, I had to sign a release stating none of the 100 legal guns had any evidentiary value. There is no law allowing us to keep legal guns from legal owners.
Lastly, the candidate and letter claims there is no need for a perjury intervention unit and it is a waste of taxpayer money. First, there is no extra taxpayer costs incurred by this unit.
The letter claims we should let perjury prosecution follow the normal course. But before the unit, the normal course has been one prosecution in about 50 years, and none in civil or family court. Since the establishment of the unit we have filed eight cases, six have been adjudicated and two are pending trial. There are several others still being investigated.
This unit also has an educational component to it. We will often address mediation classes and lecture litigants regarding perjury. The reports we get back from the courts and staff is that there is a substantial difference, which proves the effectiveness of the unit. It appears the only ones opposed to the perjury unit are those that lie in court or are running for office.
The people working for the District Attorney’s Office have been doing a great job for many years and should be recognized for their hard work and achievements and not ridiculed with false allegations for political purposes.
Don Anderson is district attorney of Lake County, Calif., and also a candidate for Superior Court judge.
- Details
- Written by: Don Anderson
Patrick Iaccino, who is running for Lake County superintendent of schools, is a devoted educator who cares not only about education but also for the students all around the county.
While a student at Upper Lake High School from 2009 to 2012, I helped as on office aide, making announcements over the school intercom, along with other duties and responsibilities.
When I met Mr. Iaccino for the very first time, he looked serious. He had a business impression look and personality which inspired me to get to know him even more.
Mr. Iaccino to me became a mentor over the years, helping me get to know what it was like to be in the business industry. Mr. Iaccino was my "first educated boss.”
Mr. Iaccino is going to do amazing things as Lake County's superintendent of schools. With his educational background and experience as a devoted educated individual, he's going to do bigger and better things to support the school districts around the county.
I strongly recommend a vote for Mr. Iaccino because he pledges that he will support the goal of each student to create and build a successful academic future.
I am proud and delighted to support Mr. Iaccino's vision.
Kucin Gary Thomas lives in Clearlake, Calif.
While a student at Upper Lake High School from 2009 to 2012, I helped as on office aide, making announcements over the school intercom, along with other duties and responsibilities.
When I met Mr. Iaccino for the very first time, he looked serious. He had a business impression look and personality which inspired me to get to know him even more.
Mr. Iaccino to me became a mentor over the years, helping me get to know what it was like to be in the business industry. Mr. Iaccino was my "first educated boss.”
Mr. Iaccino is going to do amazing things as Lake County's superintendent of schools. With his educational background and experience as a devoted educated individual, he's going to do bigger and better things to support the school districts around the county.
I strongly recommend a vote for Mr. Iaccino because he pledges that he will support the goal of each student to create and build a successful academic future.
I am proud and delighted to support Mr. Iaccino's vision.
Kucin Gary Thomas lives in Clearlake, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Kucin Gary Thomas