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Opinion
As a longtime friend of Bernadine Tripp, I’ve been aware of the struggles at Robinson Rancheria. As a community, we had to endure the actions of a leadership intent on serving a few at the expense of many.
I watched as the leader at the time split the tribe by casting out members and tearing families apart in the process.
And I watched as a new thinker, a unifying force, sought to stop the actions of that leader by running against her in an election.
He prevailed only to have the election invalidated – by means I don’t fully understand. That was surely a blow to this young man. But he refused to quit and was ultimately elected as the new chairman of the tribe.
He was young, in his 30s at the time, and walking into a tremendous responsibility. I wondered how he would do – there was so much that needed doing.
Before long his true character would reveal itself – and for that he achieved well-earned recognition and praise. At a time when other tribes were embroiled in division through disenrollments, the young leader at Robinson did the opposite. He led the council in taking a unifying and bold step to reunite the 70 or so dis-enrolled members with their families.
What happens to Native Americans affects us all. When leadership fails us, the entire community is cheated of prosperity – the customers at the casino, the bounty that would have been shared with the county, the negative press that never helps our communities, and, of course the tribal members who relied on their leadership to stay solvent.
Watching this young leader as he facilitated a skillful reversal of the prior bad acts has been heartwarming. He took a multimillion dollar operation from near bankruptcy back to prosperity, reunited a fractured tribe and showed real courage and connection with the people when he and his council took a pay cut to show their level of commitment to a better path.
This type of leadership I can get behind. EJ Crandell has my vote on June 5.
Donna Howard lives in Lucerne, Calif.
I watched as the leader at the time split the tribe by casting out members and tearing families apart in the process.
And I watched as a new thinker, a unifying force, sought to stop the actions of that leader by running against her in an election.
He prevailed only to have the election invalidated – by means I don’t fully understand. That was surely a blow to this young man. But he refused to quit and was ultimately elected as the new chairman of the tribe.
He was young, in his 30s at the time, and walking into a tremendous responsibility. I wondered how he would do – there was so much that needed doing.
Before long his true character would reveal itself – and for that he achieved well-earned recognition and praise. At a time when other tribes were embroiled in division through disenrollments, the young leader at Robinson did the opposite. He led the council in taking a unifying and bold step to reunite the 70 or so dis-enrolled members with their families.
What happens to Native Americans affects us all. When leadership fails us, the entire community is cheated of prosperity – the customers at the casino, the bounty that would have been shared with the county, the negative press that never helps our communities, and, of course the tribal members who relied on their leadership to stay solvent.
Watching this young leader as he facilitated a skillful reversal of the prior bad acts has been heartwarming. He took a multimillion dollar operation from near bankruptcy back to prosperity, reunited a fractured tribe and showed real courage and connection with the people when he and his council took a pay cut to show their level of commitment to a better path.
This type of leadership I can get behind. EJ Crandell has my vote on June 5.
Donna Howard lives in Lucerne, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Donna Howard
I was offered the opportunity to respond to a letter to the editor regarding an incident from 21 years ago. For my part in the incident I received a misdemeanor conviction. I paid the consequences and have since had no charges of any kind.
The incident involved the mother of my children. At the time, we were both very young, rudderless and we drank to extreme excess. We married after the incident and continued to struggle as a couple. We have three beautiful children, they are the light of my life.
Drinking brought out the worst in us both. But I make no excuses, then or now. It was a terrible incident I deeply regret. Since then I use the incident as an example in men’s groups and as a counseling tool to help young people struggling with difficult life circumstances and choices. Out of respect for the privacy of my now ex-wife and our children, I omit some of the details.
It took some digging to find 21 year old records, now the details have become fodder for the news and grist for the opposing campaign. These are familiar tactics designed to derail my campaign for county supervisor in District 3. Sadly, my children and family are the innocents who will be hurt the most.
For me drinking provided an escape from childhood trauma; after the service, it was a way to cope with some aspects of war. I am proud to say that one of the best decisions of my life was to stop drinking and turn my life into a positive.
From that time 21 years ago I joined the army, serving for 8 years, 6 in active deployment and 2 in reserves. I earned an AA degree in business and am now a few units short of a BA degree. Like so many in our community, I’ve known poverty, as a child and as an adult. I can relate to the struggles of my neighbors and I do my best to help, to give back to a community that has been there for me. I am not who I was 21 years ago. Thanks to my fellow vets and friends, I have sorted through and conquered my bad start. Thanks to my greater power I was chosen to lead my tribe. I am truly blessed.
Back to the matter of the letter to the editor, it is an aspect of politics I’ve seen repeated too many times in Lake County. It’s a win at any cost mentality that is apparently legal but nonetheless, a reckless act that ignores the pain and harm it does to families, especially children. It speaks volumes about a dark underbelly that lurks in politics.
In my case dark politics made its way at a very sad time in my life. I received word while attending to my grandfather’s passing, actually on the day of his funeral.
My grandfather was the bright light for me, the closest thing I had to a dad. Ironically, it is his guidance that is driving me now, just as it did 21 years ago. He said, “tell the truth, pay the consequences, and work to be a better man on a higher path.”
The woman who submitted the letter challenged my character. That hurt. But a friend reminded me that a person of good character tells the truth. I did that 21 years ago and do so now.
I want to close with an invitation to my supporters and anyone who is bothered by this to call me at 707-485-4157 or to drop in on Monday at the Happy Garden in Clearlake Oaks from 2 to 4:30 p.m. where I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
EJ Crandell lives in Lucerne, Calif. He is a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors in the June 5 primary.
The incident involved the mother of my children. At the time, we were both very young, rudderless and we drank to extreme excess. We married after the incident and continued to struggle as a couple. We have three beautiful children, they are the light of my life.
Drinking brought out the worst in us both. But I make no excuses, then or now. It was a terrible incident I deeply regret. Since then I use the incident as an example in men’s groups and as a counseling tool to help young people struggling with difficult life circumstances and choices. Out of respect for the privacy of my now ex-wife and our children, I omit some of the details.
It took some digging to find 21 year old records, now the details have become fodder for the news and grist for the opposing campaign. These are familiar tactics designed to derail my campaign for county supervisor in District 3. Sadly, my children and family are the innocents who will be hurt the most.
For me drinking provided an escape from childhood trauma; after the service, it was a way to cope with some aspects of war. I am proud to say that one of the best decisions of my life was to stop drinking and turn my life into a positive.
From that time 21 years ago I joined the army, serving for 8 years, 6 in active deployment and 2 in reserves. I earned an AA degree in business and am now a few units short of a BA degree. Like so many in our community, I’ve known poverty, as a child and as an adult. I can relate to the struggles of my neighbors and I do my best to help, to give back to a community that has been there for me. I am not who I was 21 years ago. Thanks to my fellow vets and friends, I have sorted through and conquered my bad start. Thanks to my greater power I was chosen to lead my tribe. I am truly blessed.
Back to the matter of the letter to the editor, it is an aspect of politics I’ve seen repeated too many times in Lake County. It’s a win at any cost mentality that is apparently legal but nonetheless, a reckless act that ignores the pain and harm it does to families, especially children. It speaks volumes about a dark underbelly that lurks in politics.
In my case dark politics made its way at a very sad time in my life. I received word while attending to my grandfather’s passing, actually on the day of his funeral.
My grandfather was the bright light for me, the closest thing I had to a dad. Ironically, it is his guidance that is driving me now, just as it did 21 years ago. He said, “tell the truth, pay the consequences, and work to be a better man on a higher path.”
The woman who submitted the letter challenged my character. That hurt. But a friend reminded me that a person of good character tells the truth. I did that 21 years ago and do so now.
I want to close with an invitation to my supporters and anyone who is bothered by this to call me at 707-485-4157 or to drop in on Monday at the Happy Garden in Clearlake Oaks from 2 to 4:30 p.m. where I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
EJ Crandell lives in Lucerne, Calif. He is a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors in the June 5 primary.
- Details
- Written by: EJ Crandell
One of the candidates running for county supervisor in District 3, Eddie Crandell Jr., features the word “character” on his campaign signs. However, I have discovered some very disturbing information about his past arrest for “spousal battery” that raises serious questions about Mr. Crandell’s true character.
According to Lake County Sheriff’s Department records, Mr. Crandell was arrested for hitting his then-girlfriend, Felisa Ramos, on the head. Ramos told the arresting officers that Crandell had choked her and then hit her on the back of the head. The arresting deputies found a bump on Ms. Ramos’ head, as well as an abrasion and broken blood vessels on her neck.
I believe the voters of north Lake County are entitled to hear from Mr. Crandell about the circumstances surrounding this terrible incident.
With all the sexual harassment scandals being uncovered in Washington D.C. and Sacramento, the last thing we need is an abusive politician here in Lake County. Mr. Crandell, I am awaiting your response?
Linda Prather lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
See EJ Crandell’s response here.
According to Lake County Sheriff’s Department records, Mr. Crandell was arrested for hitting his then-girlfriend, Felisa Ramos, on the head. Ramos told the arresting officers that Crandell had choked her and then hit her on the back of the head. The arresting deputies found a bump on Ms. Ramos’ head, as well as an abrasion and broken blood vessels on her neck.
I believe the voters of north Lake County are entitled to hear from Mr. Crandell about the circumstances surrounding this terrible incident.
With all the sexual harassment scandals being uncovered in Washington D.C. and Sacramento, the last thing we need is an abusive politician here in Lake County. Mr. Crandell, I am awaiting your response?
Linda Prather lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
See EJ Crandell’s response here.
- Details
- Written by: Linda Prather
Governments at the county level are about the business of life. They provide the law enforcement that keeps us safe; roads to let us move; the special services that support veterans, seniors, animal control; and provide libraries and many other life quality needs. The very dollars that pass through the government continue to support businesses and families as well as sometimes helping them rebuild after a disaster or provide oversight for the process. Rural county governments define the society norms for community support, are a measure of caring and keep the local economy moving.
The large urban, suburban counties have fueled the state to the fifth largest economy in the world by the crush of their populations and strong economic enterprises. Rural counties survive through their natural resource attributes and quality of surroundings. A blissful difference.
Measure G on the June ballet authorizes the county to raise the general sales tax, 1.5 percent for 10 years in the unincorporated areas and develops an oversight committee and annual audits to keep track of the expenditures. The incorporated cities have already raised their taxes to the allowable limit and Measure G would match that level except the cities’ taxes are without a sunset clause. So why would cities and the county want to add extra income?
For the county, it’s a realization of significant shortfalls in the budget that support the services vital to the community. Lake County has always been frugal and balanced its budget according to the revenues supporting the General Fund. This fund is the area that the county can control as opposed to programs that the state controls, such as social services.
The income to the General Fund has declined because of a slow recession recovery, loss of homes and businesses due to six significant emergencies in three years, and a need to repair our roads above the meager support from the state. The short fall from recession incomes and unrecovered fire/flood losses begins at greater than 5 million and adds about one million per year increasing to $9 million total by 2022, even if we didn’t fix any roads. A road upgrade tax could easily begin at a one percent level by itself considering we are at the bottom of all counties in road condition index. This is one of the top complaint areas in my world and, even if the states’ new gas tax were not repealed, we would need more help.
By establishing the same level of sales tax as the cities, Measure G makes us all equal on the playing field of self-help during the budget shortfall. Being a self-help county puts us in a better position to ask for state and federal grants to improve infrastructure. They like people solving their own issues and of course paying the grant matching requirements.
In all, it’s about choosing between shrinking services while waiting for a recovery or doing what our two cities and 55 percent of other counties have done to keep pace with difficult times. It’s up to the voters.
Jim Steele is District 3 supervisor for Lake County, Calif.
The large urban, suburban counties have fueled the state to the fifth largest economy in the world by the crush of their populations and strong economic enterprises. Rural counties survive through their natural resource attributes and quality of surroundings. A blissful difference.
Measure G on the June ballet authorizes the county to raise the general sales tax, 1.5 percent for 10 years in the unincorporated areas and develops an oversight committee and annual audits to keep track of the expenditures. The incorporated cities have already raised their taxes to the allowable limit and Measure G would match that level except the cities’ taxes are without a sunset clause. So why would cities and the county want to add extra income?
For the county, it’s a realization of significant shortfalls in the budget that support the services vital to the community. Lake County has always been frugal and balanced its budget according to the revenues supporting the General Fund. This fund is the area that the county can control as opposed to programs that the state controls, such as social services.
The income to the General Fund has declined because of a slow recession recovery, loss of homes and businesses due to six significant emergencies in three years, and a need to repair our roads above the meager support from the state. The short fall from recession incomes and unrecovered fire/flood losses begins at greater than 5 million and adds about one million per year increasing to $9 million total by 2022, even if we didn’t fix any roads. A road upgrade tax could easily begin at a one percent level by itself considering we are at the bottom of all counties in road condition index. This is one of the top complaint areas in my world and, even if the states’ new gas tax were not repealed, we would need more help.
By establishing the same level of sales tax as the cities, Measure G makes us all equal on the playing field of self-help during the budget shortfall. Being a self-help county puts us in a better position to ask for state and federal grants to improve infrastructure. They like people solving their own issues and of course paying the grant matching requirements.
In all, it’s about choosing between shrinking services while waiting for a recovery or doing what our two cities and 55 percent of other counties have done to keep pace with difficult times. It’s up to the voters.
Jim Steele is District 3 supervisor for Lake County, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Jim Steele