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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 01 August 2007

Created: 01 August 2007

Last Updated: 01 August 2007

On Thursday, July 26, I had the good fortune to be able to attend a presentation at the Calpine Visitor Center concerning the future of the Calpine operation at The Geysers. It really is encouraging to see through a slide show presentation as well as hear from local residents in the audience how Calpine responds to needs within the community – be it a tremor or an unpleasant odor permeating the air.

Without a doubt, the biggest problem at The Geysers is one which has nothing to do with steam, but everything to do with safety. The problem? In a word, Securitas. Unfortunately, Securitas is still handling clearance and traffic security. That means the security operation at The Geysers is more cosmetic than it is real. In a post-9/11 world, this kind of bogus operation should not be tolerated.

One can only hope the security mess at The Geysers is NOT typical of other power plant operations across our county. If it is, we have a national problem – not just a local one. But, I believe the good people of Lake County will NOT continue to tolerate the cosmetic brand of security promoted by Securitas. No, I believe they will demand security be responsive to their needs.

It is understandable that Calpine may be too preoccupied with getting out of bankruptcy to notice ALL the Securitas deficiencies. Calpine is not a security company, but an award-winning supplier of geothermal power. Therefore, it is up to the good citizens of Lake County and all those who care about the area to take proactive action.

What kind of action? Demand that all three guard locations be linked through a network and have traffic records accessible via a database at the click of a mouse button. No more of this ridiculous reconciling and filing of handwritten traffic records eight to 24 hours after-the-fact. And, there should be a clearance backup procedure to make sure no contractor scheduled to work within The Geysers is denied access.

Here are some folks who need to hear your concerns:

• Ed Robey, Lake County District 1 Supervisor, P.O. Box 796, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

• Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528. There is also a comment line: (202) 282-8495.

• Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, State Capital Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814.

• Fox News Channel. Call 1-888-369-4762. (Be sure to thank Fox for coming to Middletown for "Middletown Days" in 2006.) Encourage them to send a camera crew to The Geysers to report back to the American people what they see.

The world's largest geothermal operation deserves the best security money can buy for its employees, guests and property owners. But, they don’t have it. They have Securitas, instead. The Geysers deserves better. Let’s help them get it.

Lamar Morgan lives in Hidden Valley Lake.

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Written by: Glenn Trumble

Published: 31 July 2007

Created: 31 July 2007

Last Updated: 31 July 2007

I post a list of persons that have property coming to them from the state. This list is posted at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and noon. I also post the list at the Lakeport Senior Center at their breakfast on the third Sunday of each month. The purpose is to inform residents that the state is holding property for them and also to raise funds for the senior center.

I call this listing "The Lake County Wall of Money." The listing is on poster boards that I hang from a framework that is 24 feet in length. The posters hang from the front and back of the framework. So far I have over 5,000 names listed with over $1 million coming.

I've completed the listing for all the Lake county towns except the city of Clearlake. I'm working on Clearlake. They have over 3,000 people with money coming to them.

Some of the people have moved from the area, others may be deceased. People visiting the senior center and observing the list sometimes recognize people that they know and provide me with information as to their present status or address.

I cannot claim the property for an individual but I will assist anyone in making their claim. All I ask is that when they receive the property that they make a donation to the senior center.

Needless to say, this information is on the Internet but not in the concise town-by-town layout that I have provided.

One beneficiary of my search is the County of Lake that had about $2,000 coming unknown to them. I would really like to find the couple from Lower Lake who has over $50,000 due them.

Anyway, come have breakfast with us (it's only $6 for a great breakfast) and check out the "WALL OF MONEY.”

Glenn Trumble is unclaimed property liaison for the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center. He can be reached at 274-8851.

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Written by: David Smith

Published: 30 July 2007

Created: 30 July 2007

Last Updated: 30 July 2007

I want to bring to the attention of the people in this county and this great nation a group of extraordinary people that have the ability to show tremendous courage. I am writing about those that were either born with or developed a disability during their lifetime.

I personally have dealt with people that come from many walks of life, and with the disabilities that became of my own family, with a wife that suffered renal failure, due to a certain medication, a kidney transplant from my daughter, and later, subsequent death during a "simple" operation. I have a son who developed seizures due to an accident he had when he was young.

These are my personal stories, but many people can relate to what I have watched my family go through. These extraordinary people push on with their lives, not knowing what is in store for them from day to day. They persevere through the same troubles that "normal" people have to deal with, yet they manage to hold their heads high. There are times when they can be down, and they absolutely have that right to be, without being judged by those that are not dealing with a disability.

As a father who helps his son through his disability with seizures, it pains me to watch him suffer, especially when, at times he says, "Dad, I don't know if I have the strength to go on," and when he asks me if he is being "punished." It's hard to find the words to help him, but I know, in my heart, that he has the courage of a lion and he fits the mold of many of these individuals who are dealing with these setbacks.

Please remember those who are disabled and remember the strength and courage that it takes for them to survive, in today's day and age.

David Smith lives in Nice.

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