Opinion

Details: Written by: Rick Winer; Published: 05 November 2022

The purpose of this letter is to express the sincere gratitude I have for those members of the community who supported my bid for reelection to the board of the Kelseyville Unified School District and to restate my qualifications.

Thank you to the many who have endorsed my candidacy. Thank you to those who have contributed to my campaign. Thank you to those who have placed signs on your properties. Thank you to those who have spread the word and written letters to the editor. Thank you to those who have already voted for me. Without all of you we would not have come this far.

There are so many great things happening in our schools and community. Anyone who has attended a Kelseyville High School graduation ceremony has heard of the successes of our graduates and the numerous scholarships and awards they have earned.

My family and I have resided in Kelseyville for the past 35 years. I am familiar with the culture and challenges of living and working in a rural community. I think that this is an important attribute for a board member.

I have been a school board member for the past 21 years and served as board chair for 15 years. Each time I was elected to serve as chair by my fellow board members it was by unanimous vote, they have confidence in my leadership.

During the past four years I haven’t missed a single regularly scheduled board meeting. I don’t think I’ve missed a single special meeting either. Over the past 21 years I’ve only missed two regularly scheduled meetings. The well-being of Kelseyville Unified School District is a top priority.

I have the endorsement of all the school board members who still reside in Lake County from the past 25 years that I could remember. I have the endorsement of the majority of the current board members and many, many members of the public, business and education community.

You can see a complete list at rickwiner4kvusd.com as well as the recent candidate’s forum, letters to the editor and images captured at the school sites and around the community.

I believe that our Kelseyville Unified School District motto, “Where Students Come First,” has been my compass for decisions that I have made over the past 21 years. I hope you will agree that I am the most qualified for the position of board member.

For those who haven’t yet voted, I hope you will please mark my name on the ballot and return it as soon as possible by mail or in person. There is much more to be accomplished and I look forward to continuing my work.

Rick Winer lives in Kelseyville, California.

Details: Written by: Larry Allen; Published: 04 November 2022

My name is Larry Allen and I am currently serving as president of the Middletown Unified School Board.

Our community has always come together to support our most important resource, our kids.

We all want the same thing: strong, high quality public schools that give every student the freedom to reach their potential.

All students should have the opportunity to learn and succeed. I am focused on getting them the support they need to thrive, including access to mental health services.

I know that public educators are some of the most trusted and respected people in every community. In order to attract and keep the best we need to pay our educators as the professionals they are and give them the respect they deserve.

Our schools must provide the best education we can in order to ensure our kids are successful in whatever career paths they choose. I am a strong advocate for transparency and communication. School Boards are about our kids. As a retired 35-year teacher I am student tested, parent approved. I appreciate your vote. Thank you.

Larry Allen lives in Cobb, California.

Details: Written by: Hank Lescher; Published: 03 November 2022

I am writing to introduce myself, my priorities and my positions.

Let me speak to what I feel qualifies me to take charge of this business.

My wife Karen, and I moved to Middletown in 1978, and raised our three children here. We built Store 24 in 1985, operated it for 20 years, developed Coyote Valley Plaza, and built Gypsy Juice and the oil change facility in Middletown. We also built, owned and operated the gas station at Hopland Farms in Hopland and remodeled, owned and operated Mt. Konocti Gas & Mart in Kelseyville.

We owned and operated several other businesses as well, and oversaw as many as 60 employees at a time. Additionally, I built numerous houses in Hidden Valley and most recently I have been project manager for developments at Middletown Rancheria.

Our school board immediately requires leadership and competence in this arena. I will bring to the board the experience necessary to turn this situation around and give to our children the finest possible campuses.

I have been a counselor and associate pastor for over 25 years. I received my bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in Chicago, then pursued clinical psychology in graduate school.

I vow to work with my fellow board members to become educated concerning what is lacking in the classrooms.

Also, I must add, so many of our staff give their all, and we must find a way to validate, and more appropriately financially compensate them. This will also help us attract the best new teachers. I am very committed to this goal.

If you believe in family values and getting back to the basics in education, then i am your candidate.

The California School Board Association states that, “The role of the school board is to assure that the school district is responsive to the values, beliefs and priorities of the community.”

Those who know me will tell you that listening to and doing something about parents’ concerns is top priority. And that includes hitting head-on the issue of bullying and medical freedom.

I have 20-plus years experience being chairman of the board of our local church.

Please set partisan politics aside and vote for the most qualified person for this job. The California School Board Association 2022-2023 Policy Platform states, “Local Governing Boards are most effective when the community they serve actively participates in selecting non-partisan school Board Members.”

To learn more, please visit my website at HankLescherforSchoolboard.com

Thank you for your consideration.

Hank Lescher lives in Middletown, California.

Details: Written by: Peggy Robertson; Published: 02 November 2022

This week I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with many of my old Cobb School students. This led me to dig into my old photos, hoping I could provide some more memories for those who lost their photos in the fires.

I realized that this effort actually brought out more memories for me, and in the current political climate I was so happy to hear so many positive things about our little school, Cobb Mountain Elementary, and especially touched by the memories of teachers past shared by so many of the students!

As I was thinking this, I realized that possibly I could be of some assistance to those trying to decide who to vote for in the upcoming Middletown Unified School Board election.

Larry Allen, retired teacher, was lauded over and over again by so many of his past students. I taught with him for many years, and was able to witness firsthand his devotion and enthusiasm for teaching, and for the well-being of his students.

I am not a Middletown resident, and therefore not able to vote in this election, but I strongly encourage those who are to vote for Larry. He is not afraid of speaking the truth, will listen to concerns and act to the best of his ability to provide the best paths forward.

Middletown Unified will greatly benefit from his expertise and enthusiasm.

Peggy Robertson lives in Kelseyville, California.