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Opinion
For a Lake County judge with a track record of sound judgment and political independence, cast your vote for Shanda Harry in the upcoming election.
I was fortunate to work alongside Shanda when she was a deputy district attorney at the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. There, she proved herself a capable criminal litigator who considered the greater impact of her decisions on public safety.
She gained significant experience, not just from jury trials, but by participating in the law and motion process – where bail decisions, sentencings and procedural motions are fought and decided on a daily basis in the courtroom.
Shanda’s deep understanding of the law was apparent in the quality of her work – she did not shoot from the hip or act on emotion; rather, she studied case law, prepared, and considered the evidence to arrive at just results.
She then joined the County Counsel’s Office, where she ensured the transparency and legality of the operations of local government. She represented the county in court on complex civil matters, engaged in contract negotiations, and conducted legal research under significant time pressure.
Additionally, she addressed the rights of incarcerated individuals by reviewing and responding to writs of habeas corpus initiated by inmates, and advising on policies of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Shanda has earned a reputation as an intelligent, reliable and trusted public servant with a strong work ethic. She has shown her ability to put in the necessary work, including long hours of research, to arrive at balanced decisions.
This is the candidate who has the right qualifications, intelligence and temperament to be a Lake County Judge.
Vote for Shanda Harry on June 5, 2018.
Sharon Lerman is a former Lake County deputy district attorney. She lives in Lakeport, Calif.
I was fortunate to work alongside Shanda when she was a deputy district attorney at the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. There, she proved herself a capable criminal litigator who considered the greater impact of her decisions on public safety.
She gained significant experience, not just from jury trials, but by participating in the law and motion process – where bail decisions, sentencings and procedural motions are fought and decided on a daily basis in the courtroom.
Shanda’s deep understanding of the law was apparent in the quality of her work – she did not shoot from the hip or act on emotion; rather, she studied case law, prepared, and considered the evidence to arrive at just results.
She then joined the County Counsel’s Office, where she ensured the transparency and legality of the operations of local government. She represented the county in court on complex civil matters, engaged in contract negotiations, and conducted legal research under significant time pressure.
Additionally, she addressed the rights of incarcerated individuals by reviewing and responding to writs of habeas corpus initiated by inmates, and advising on policies of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Shanda has earned a reputation as an intelligent, reliable and trusted public servant with a strong work ethic. She has shown her ability to put in the necessary work, including long hours of research, to arrive at balanced decisions.
This is the candidate who has the right qualifications, intelligence and temperament to be a Lake County Judge.
Vote for Shanda Harry on June 5, 2018.
Sharon Lerman is a former Lake County deputy district attorney. She lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Sharon Lerman
Adventist Health Clear Lake would like to recognize our talented, dedicated nursing colleagues during National Nurses Week, May 6 to 12. Adventist Health Clear Lake truly has a remarkable team of people working together to live our mission to inspire health, wholeness and hope in each interaction with our patients, their families and guests.
From nurses who welcome our newest patients in the Women’s Care Unit, those providing specialized care in our surgery suites, serving those in crisis in the Emergency Department and caring for the young and old on the Med/Surg and ICU Units, we are blessed with an experienced, compassionate team. We greatly value their commitment to patient care and the healing services they provide.
Our nurses understand that their work is more than a job. It is a full-time mission to live out our values of respect, excellence, integrity and compassion. They inspire me with their calling to serve in a setting that is full of challenges and change. The Adventist Health Clear Lake nurses provide hands-on care, but much of what they do is often overlooked or done behind-the-scenes. These women and men are selfless servants, and the letters and notes I receive from grateful patients in thanks for their life-saving work demonstrate they are making a difference.
Please join us in celebrating National Nurses Week by thanking the nurses in our community who have touched your life.
Colleen Assavapisitkul, RN, MSN, HACP, is vice president of patient care at Adventist Health Clear Lake in Clearlake, Calif.
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- Written by: Colleen Assavapisitkul
Lake County can’t afford business as usual in the fight against crime. That’s why I am supporting Steve Brown for district attorney.
Steve is a successful private practice attorney who will bring new ideas and strong crime fighting leadership to the DA’s office. He will ensure that serious criminals do not escape jail time for their offenses. Steve will make sure that criminal cases are prosecuted on the merits with no special treatment given to offenders who have personal ties to the current leadership of the DA’s office.
I’ve observed the frustration of many local deputies and police officers as criminals that they have arrested are let back out on the streets without even a trial.
It is the job of law enforcement to investigate crimes and send them to the DA’s office for prosecution. When the law enforcement officers work hard to conduct complete investigations and the cases are pled down or dropped completely, it is very frustrating.
This has to change because the way it has been is not working. Cases are reduced or dropped at the expense of the public. It is the responsibility of the DA to make sure the criminals are prosecuted for their crimes.
Lake County needs to combat crime and make our communities safer. Please join me in voting for Steve Brown for district attorney on June 5.
Gary Frace lives in Lakeport, Calif.
Steve is a successful private practice attorney who will bring new ideas and strong crime fighting leadership to the DA’s office. He will ensure that serious criminals do not escape jail time for their offenses. Steve will make sure that criminal cases are prosecuted on the merits with no special treatment given to offenders who have personal ties to the current leadership of the DA’s office.
I’ve observed the frustration of many local deputies and police officers as criminals that they have arrested are let back out on the streets without even a trial.
It is the job of law enforcement to investigate crimes and send them to the DA’s office for prosecution. When the law enforcement officers work hard to conduct complete investigations and the cases are pled down or dropped completely, it is very frustrating.
This has to change because the way it has been is not working. Cases are reduced or dropped at the expense of the public. It is the responsibility of the DA to make sure the criminals are prosecuted for their crimes.
Lake County needs to combat crime and make our communities safer. Please join me in voting for Steve Brown for district attorney on June 5.
Gary Frace lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Gary Frace
This is in response to Steve Buchholz’ letter regarding sentence bargaining.
Unfortunately, the opinions he shared in his letter are based on sentencing laws from the past. Since Mr. Buchholz retired from his job at probation, the entire landscape of criminal sentencing has changed.
As a former senior deputy district attorney, I practiced criminal law in Lake County during these major changes. State legislation and voter initiatives (such as AB 109, Penal Code section 1170(h), and Propositions 47 and 57) have made prison sentences less likely, less lengthy, and more likely to be served locally in our county jail.
It is important to note that probation departments across the state – including Mr. Buchholz’s former office – have adopted “evidence-based practices” that afford offenders more opportunities to stay on probation and out of prison, often even after probation is violated.
Mr. Buchholz implied that the District Attorney’s Office has the final say as to a defendant’s sentence when, in fact, it is the judge who ultimately decides what a sentence will be. If the judge finds that a proposed sentence is unjust under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, then the judge will reject it, and the case will proceed to trial.
For years, sentence bargaining has been practiced in most counties in California. This is because failure to do so results in a waste of local resources and causes unnecessary delays and continuances.
Mr. Buchholz seemed to suggest that a district attorney's refusal to enter into a sentence bargain would result in a maximum sentence, but this is incorrect, as the judge still must consider the factors of each case (assuming a conviction is won at a trial). A just sentence bargain allows for certainty of the sentence, which benefits victims and advances public safety.
Susan Krones has been a working Lake County prosecutor throughout the changes in sentencing laws. She is well-versed in the current laws, and she has a demonstrated record of ensuring public safety within the bounds of those laws. Susan Krones is the right choice for your vote for district attorney on June 5.
Sharon Lerman is a former Lake County deputy district attorney. She lives in Lakeport, Calif.
Unfortunately, the opinions he shared in his letter are based on sentencing laws from the past. Since Mr. Buchholz retired from his job at probation, the entire landscape of criminal sentencing has changed.
As a former senior deputy district attorney, I practiced criminal law in Lake County during these major changes. State legislation and voter initiatives (such as AB 109, Penal Code section 1170(h), and Propositions 47 and 57) have made prison sentences less likely, less lengthy, and more likely to be served locally in our county jail.
It is important to note that probation departments across the state – including Mr. Buchholz’s former office – have adopted “evidence-based practices” that afford offenders more opportunities to stay on probation and out of prison, often even after probation is violated.
Mr. Buchholz implied that the District Attorney’s Office has the final say as to a defendant’s sentence when, in fact, it is the judge who ultimately decides what a sentence will be. If the judge finds that a proposed sentence is unjust under the facts and circumstances of the particular case, then the judge will reject it, and the case will proceed to trial.
For years, sentence bargaining has been practiced in most counties in California. This is because failure to do so results in a waste of local resources and causes unnecessary delays and continuances.
Mr. Buchholz seemed to suggest that a district attorney's refusal to enter into a sentence bargain would result in a maximum sentence, but this is incorrect, as the judge still must consider the factors of each case (assuming a conviction is won at a trial). A just sentence bargain allows for certainty of the sentence, which benefits victims and advances public safety.
Susan Krones has been a working Lake County prosecutor throughout the changes in sentencing laws. She is well-versed in the current laws, and she has a demonstrated record of ensuring public safety within the bounds of those laws. Susan Krones is the right choice for your vote for district attorney on June 5.
Sharon Lerman is a former Lake County deputy district attorney. She lives in Lakeport, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Sharon Lerman