Opinion
- Details
- Written by: Kelly Mathews
To the St. Mary's Pastoral Advisory Council:
First, please let me extend my deep sympathy for your suffering regarding the recent removal of Fr. Ted.
I have read you recent letter of public support for Fr. Ted at the Lake County News Web site and you church web pages.
Please take into consideration that somewhere in your parish community, today, right now, there is a young boy being abused. He may be a victim of sexual assault by his sitter or family friend. He may not understand what us adults are talking about but he will remember that coming forward to share his secret is pointless. No one will believe him nor support him. He has learned this because he has seen how the community supports the alleged abuser and not the victim.
Coming from a personal experience, watching my parish collect sympathy notes and well-wishing cards in public was one of the most painful and degrading acts in my life. It was cruel.
I hope that you can maintain your support of your pastor in the quietness and stillness of your hearts, and keep in mind the children in your parish who now must live in further silence and shame.
Or, perhaps you may take this time to help others. You could post whom to call and whom to seek help from in your own community if you or someone that you know is a victim of sexual abuse.
Or, go to the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) Web page and read the list on what to do if your priest is accused of sexual misconduct.
My heart goes out to all of you.
Kelly Mathews lives in Marquette, Mich. She runs a Web site dedicated to monitoring clergy sex abuse at www.marquettedioceseclergywatch.org.
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- Details
- Written by: Wanda Harris
Since 1978, California has simply not generated enough money to pay for its basic services, from public education to transportation to water.
The governor and the Republicans would have us believe that our budget deficit is caused by overspending in the "good times" that leaves us with huge shortfalls when the economy turns sour.
But there isn't $16 billion in "overspending" and the governor and the Republicans know it, as proved by his $4 billion cut for California public schools.
Others claim that the problem is locked in and/or frivolous spending, but here again, that only accounts for a tiny fraction of the massive deficit total.
These arguments simply reinforce the idea that spending on parks, schools, and social services is frivolous, whereas blatantly unfair tax favoritism is not.
Why is it that some Californians get the “frivolous” privilege of paying property tax rates that have not changed in 30 years?
Why aren't tax breaks framed as frivolous and wasteful leftovers from the "good times?"
That was how Mark Leno framed the VLF cut that the governor made as his first act as governor which costs the state some $5 billion each year.
Or the yacht tax loophole, which has the cruel effect of protecting the rich at the expense of the poor?
The real problem is that since 1978 this state has cut nearly $12 billion in taxes on an annual basis.
There are many possible saving and revenues solutions, as outlined by the non-partisan California Budget Project.
Some examples that could close the gap (in millions):
Raise the Vehicle License Fee to 2 percent = $4,838;
Tax commercial property at market value = $3,350;
Increase the corporate tax rate by 1 percent to 9.84 percent= $1,251;
Restore the top income tax brackets = $2,200;
And capping the deductible mortgage interest rate at $50,000 of interest = $80.
Finally, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization estimate that the state is owed up to an estimated $8.5 billion in sales, use and income tax that go unpaid each year. However, the governor proposes collecting only about $150 million of that next year and then $253 million in 2009-10. Of that $8.5 billion, hundreds of millions, if not billions more, could be collected.
Continuing to balance the budget with a cuts-only approach hurts vital services that all Californians need and deserve. Lawmakers must consider revenue increases to fund crucial programs that help children, the poor and working families. We look forward to working with the Legislature and the governor in passing a state budget that invests in the future of our children, our schools and our state
The law-abiding taxpayers of California deserve a budget that is fair.
Wanda Harris is chair of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee. She lives in Hidden Valley Lake.
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- Details
- Written by: Barbara Christwitz
Recently Allen ran a wire from the broadcasting cubicle of Clearlake City Hall to the Clearlake City Hall Chambers. He then broadcast live the Clearlake City Council meeting of June 12. Allen was eager to help those who were not able to attend the City Council view the public meeting. He felt this program to be in harmony with the report of the Clearlake Vision Task Force pp. 17, 18, 21 and 22, a report endorsed by the city council in 2007. It can be found online at http://theclearlakevisiontaskforce.wikispaces.com/Report. Refer to headings of Education and Services for Seniors or e-mail
The report cites requests from the public for live broadcasting of city and county meetings. Allen also followed the members manual of the PEG Committee, which is currently a work in progress to guide his broadcasting decisions. This document may be viewed at http://laketv8.wikispaces.com/Members+Manual.
Allen extends his apologies to anyone whom he surprised by filming of this public meeting and now realizes how important it is to warn anyone present that their words and actions are being recorded and broadcast live. He assures citizens that he will follow the new proper protocol in accordance with the PEG Channel 8 Policies and Procedures Manual as well as instate ways to mute anyone who would use profanity at a public meeting. I am certain that our Clearlake City Council and the PEG Board will find positive ways to assure that as many citizens of Clearlake as possible be able to become fully informed of their city’s business through the avenue of live broadcast.
For anyone interested in becoming active in TV 8 and its local broadcasts please attend both PEG Board and PEG Committee meetings. Regular PEG Board meetings are open to the public and are held each third Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the El Grande Hotel. Regular PEG Committee meetings are held each first Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Clearlake City Hall Chambers.
For more information, contact Barbara Christwitz, member of PEG Committee, 995-0940.
Barbara Christwitz lives in Clearlake.
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- Details
- Written by: Lyle and Susanne La Faver
We were thrilled to be passengers in the carriage, along with Hidden Valley Lake residents Jennifer Popovich and her 4-year-old daughter, Anna.
Enthusiasts can again see Valk in action in Clearlake July 5 when the Dutch Friesian performs with the Sons of Norway in the Lakeshore Lions Club's 51st annual Redbud Parade at 11 a.m.
Thanks also to Middletown Day parade marchers Bill Barrows, Victoria Brandon, Teddy Duke, Wanda Harris, Shirley Howland, Connie Miller and Joan Worster. Brenda Pappan of Middletown Florist helped with our decorative balloons.
We appreciate you all!
Lyle and Susanne La Faver live in Hidden Valley Lake.
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