Opinion
Even though she has only represented Lake County in the Legislature for four years, it’s clear that we are losing a true champion.
Pat has authored laws to:
Designate a portion of voter-approved bond funds to protect and preserve salmon and steelhead habitat;
Enable the state to leverage federal funds to purchase forestlands from private property owners in order to keep those acres wild and undeveloped;
Authorize the state Department of Parks and Recreation to expand the use of conservation easements to protect state parklands.
Although Pat didn’t represent Lake County directly during her years as a member of the Assembly, she was the author of multiple pieces of environmental legislation, and she helped secure vital funding to develop and implement measures designed to combat the spread of sudden oak death.
And as her time in office approaches its conclusion, Pat has yet one more bill – SB 1142 – that would, if signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger, provide new resources to help farmers and ranchers keep their lands in agriculture – and away from commercial or residential development.
It is with great regret that we are bidding you farewell, Pat – but also with much gratitude for all that you have done to protect our natural resources here on the North Coast, and throughout California.
Victoria Brandon lives in Lower Lake.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Two people left their homes in the morning on Friday, Sept. 24 – one on Highway 20 and one on Highway 29 – and before noon their lives were extinguished by a drunken driver and a despicable hit-and-run driver, the latter going through a permanent standing stop sign, hit the victim and left the scene, leaving the victim on the highway. These crashes caused untold sorrow and devastation for the families and friends of both victims.
There have been way too many traffic accidents on these two highways in particular, many of them by drivers crossing into oncoming traffic. Many lives have been affected by these careless – as in care-less – drivers. I seldom go to Clearlake and would rather go to Ukiah via Highway 175 and Hopland than to risk my life on Highways 20 and 29.
Some type of major deterrent needs to be put in place, something that would make these care-less drivers know it wouldn't be worth getting behind the wheel and what it would cost them for carelessness that could cause an accident.
A few suggestions are mandatory jail sentences and longer ones, and stiff fines for any accidents causing injuries, liability for damages to others properties and definite prison terms for causing fatalities.
A final note: People who kill others should have no rights. Where were the victims' rights?
Patricia England lives in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Patricia England
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