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Opinion
I was very happy to learn that Patrick Sullivan had filed to run for treasurer-tax collector of Lake County.
I worked firsthand with Patrick during my tenure as a deputy county administrative officer for the county of Lake.
I was the lead on the initiation and formation of the Lake County Tourism Improvement District, also known as Visit Lake County. The lodging industry had expressed their desire that tourism marketing be conducted by the industry rather than the county and that began the effort to create an independent tourism/lodging entity.
One of the issues we discovered during that process was that the transient occupancy tax, or TOT, which is tied to the available lodging information was very outdated and the short-term rental market wasn't well represented in the information the seated treasurer-tax collector had.
We worked toward getting everything updated and brought up to speed. Patrick was an integral part of that process, and I always knew if I had a question he either had the answer or would find it promptly.
He's been involved with that office and the responsibilities of it for several years now and would make a seamless transition upon election.
He's smart, hardworking, kind, thoughtful, forward-thinking and most importantly knows what needs to be done and finds the most efficient way toward getting it done.
I'm excited that we have such an excellent candidate and I look forward to casting my vote for Patrick.
Michelle Scully lives in Lakeport, California.
I worked firsthand with Patrick during my tenure as a deputy county administrative officer for the county of Lake.
I was the lead on the initiation and formation of the Lake County Tourism Improvement District, also known as Visit Lake County. The lodging industry had expressed their desire that tourism marketing be conducted by the industry rather than the county and that began the effort to create an independent tourism/lodging entity.
One of the issues we discovered during that process was that the transient occupancy tax, or TOT, which is tied to the available lodging information was very outdated and the short-term rental market wasn't well represented in the information the seated treasurer-tax collector had.
We worked toward getting everything updated and brought up to speed. Patrick was an integral part of that process, and I always knew if I had a question he either had the answer or would find it promptly.
He's been involved with that office and the responsibilities of it for several years now and would make a seamless transition upon election.
He's smart, hardworking, kind, thoughtful, forward-thinking and most importantly knows what needs to be done and finds the most efficient way toward getting it done.
I'm excited that we have such an excellent candidate and I look forward to casting my vote for Patrick.
Michelle Scully lives in Lakeport, California.
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- Written by: Michelle Scully
I am a south county parent who has been watching the upcoming June election for Middletown Unified School District board seat with interest. I had previously been undecided, but I came across a Facebook post by one of the candidates, Bryan Pullman, recently. Some of the statements gave me pause. I’d like to share my initial thoughts and concerns below.
Pullman: “I have no problem with the many good teachers in our district, but they are the responsibility of their superintendent and their union and not the school board. The school board has one employee and that is the superintendent. I understand that and my opponent does not.”
• While this is partially correct, that the superintendent is the only employee of the board, it is an oversimplification. It is the board's responsibility to ensure that the CBA is negotiated in such a way that favors the school district. It is also the board's responsibility to ensure that the superintendent is effectively managing his staff, administrators and teachers. The school board's job is to set policy, and the superintendent's job is to implement that policy. It is all the responsibility of the school board at the end of the day.
Pullman: “Our school has spent almost all of a 42 million dollar construction fund without the benefit of a project manager.”
• This is not correct based on the most recent figures from the district office. Of the $42 million in potential funding, only $28 million has been pulled, of that only 8% has been spent ($2.2 million).
Pullman: “As someone with extensive experience contracting to schools I know that the 100k or so that a construction manager would cost would be a fraction of the money that the school has lost in spending this money without that professional assistance.”
• Most people I have spoken to acknowledge that the district should have hired a construction manager. Depending upon the level of service, a typical construction manager would cost around 3 to 5% of the total construction cost. This is a more realistic estimate and would still be well worth it in my opinion.
Pullman: “My opponent is on the record stating that she supports them (vaccine mandates). I am on the record stating that I will fight them. I believe in medical freedom for students.”
• As the candidate points out, most folks are against vaccine mandates without exemptions (including his opponent Charise Reynolds). There has never been a COVID vaccine mandate for children. The Newsom regulation never went into effect and will not happen for the 2023 school year.
Pullman: “I am opposed to CRT and SEL as they are currently offered as they teach racism, they do not work to stop it.”
• Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classes have not been implemented at MUSD and there are no plans to do so.
• Here is a direct quote from someone who cares deeply about our students but wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.
“Mr. Pullman, as someone who is building their campaign on the opinions and voices of parents, I encourage you to post this publicly for all parents to respond. Speaking as someone who observes students’ mental well-being closely. I'm afraid I must disagree with much of what you are saying, but I will mainly focus on your comment about Social-Emotional Learning and its place in our school. Our students have been isolated for almost two years and then quickly expected to readjust to said ‘normalcy.’ Refusing our children the right to learn coping skills, feel actively listened to, safe in their classrooms, and validating their needs is denying them the right to an education. Our students are emotionally struggling and deserve a space that encourages them to feel safe opening up. All parents want to see their children happy and healthy; actively campaigning to deny our students the right to this, is only harming our kids. Many potential suicides have been prevented this year from students that are benefiting from SEL.”
Pullman: “Our state wants to expose students as young as six to transgenderism. Transgenderism affects less than 1% of the population in California. The suicide rate for an adolescent afflicted with this is about 40%, Compared to straight adolescents suicide rate of about 15% ... People who are transgender deserve our help to work their way through their problem.”
• I was troubled by this statement in the candidate’s post. I’m not sure whether or not this statement was meant to be insensitive but it reads like transgender children have a “problem.” Do we really want someone who believes “transgenderism” is an “affliction” on the school board of MUSD?
My closing thoughts as a parent and long time south county resident: The candidate is out of touch with the needs of our district. He is not up to speed on the current funding, bond measures or state of mental health in our district.
We need board members who are informed, compassionate and focused on moving the district forward in a positive way. It appears to me the candidate is less interested in actual MUSD issues and more concerned about national issues in general. I will not be voting for Bryan Pullman in June or November.
Kent Caviness lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
Pullman: “I have no problem with the many good teachers in our district, but they are the responsibility of their superintendent and their union and not the school board. The school board has one employee and that is the superintendent. I understand that and my opponent does not.”
• While this is partially correct, that the superintendent is the only employee of the board, it is an oversimplification. It is the board's responsibility to ensure that the CBA is negotiated in such a way that favors the school district. It is also the board's responsibility to ensure that the superintendent is effectively managing his staff, administrators and teachers. The school board's job is to set policy, and the superintendent's job is to implement that policy. It is all the responsibility of the school board at the end of the day.
Pullman: “Our school has spent almost all of a 42 million dollar construction fund without the benefit of a project manager.”
• This is not correct based on the most recent figures from the district office. Of the $42 million in potential funding, only $28 million has been pulled, of that only 8% has been spent ($2.2 million).
Pullman: “As someone with extensive experience contracting to schools I know that the 100k or so that a construction manager would cost would be a fraction of the money that the school has lost in spending this money without that professional assistance.”
• Most people I have spoken to acknowledge that the district should have hired a construction manager. Depending upon the level of service, a typical construction manager would cost around 3 to 5% of the total construction cost. This is a more realistic estimate and would still be well worth it in my opinion.
Pullman: “My opponent is on the record stating that she supports them (vaccine mandates). I am on the record stating that I will fight them. I believe in medical freedom for students.”
• As the candidate points out, most folks are against vaccine mandates without exemptions (including his opponent Charise Reynolds). There has never been a COVID vaccine mandate for children. The Newsom regulation never went into effect and will not happen for the 2023 school year.
Pullman: “I am opposed to CRT and SEL as they are currently offered as they teach racism, they do not work to stop it.”
• Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classes have not been implemented at MUSD and there are no plans to do so.
• Here is a direct quote from someone who cares deeply about our students but wished to remain anonymous for obvious reasons.
“Mr. Pullman, as someone who is building their campaign on the opinions and voices of parents, I encourage you to post this publicly for all parents to respond. Speaking as someone who observes students’ mental well-being closely. I'm afraid I must disagree with much of what you are saying, but I will mainly focus on your comment about Social-Emotional Learning and its place in our school. Our students have been isolated for almost two years and then quickly expected to readjust to said ‘normalcy.’ Refusing our children the right to learn coping skills, feel actively listened to, safe in their classrooms, and validating their needs is denying them the right to an education. Our students are emotionally struggling and deserve a space that encourages them to feel safe opening up. All parents want to see their children happy and healthy; actively campaigning to deny our students the right to this, is only harming our kids. Many potential suicides have been prevented this year from students that are benefiting from SEL.”
Pullman: “Our state wants to expose students as young as six to transgenderism. Transgenderism affects less than 1% of the population in California. The suicide rate for an adolescent afflicted with this is about 40%, Compared to straight adolescents suicide rate of about 15% ... People who are transgender deserve our help to work their way through their problem.”
• I was troubled by this statement in the candidate’s post. I’m not sure whether or not this statement was meant to be insensitive but it reads like transgender children have a “problem.” Do we really want someone who believes “transgenderism” is an “affliction” on the school board of MUSD?
My closing thoughts as a parent and long time south county resident: The candidate is out of touch with the needs of our district. He is not up to speed on the current funding, bond measures or state of mental health in our district.
We need board members who are informed, compassionate and focused on moving the district forward in a positive way. It appears to me the candidate is less interested in actual MUSD issues and more concerned about national issues in general. I will not be voting for Bryan Pullman in June or November.
Kent Caviness lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
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- Written by: Kent Caviness
County governments are created when a state is formed for the purpose of determining local land use policies and for law enforcement and government processes.
The partisan election process for national and state offices sometimes overshadows and gets confused with county offices.
County elected offices are nonpartisan to any political party and are more hands-on management jobs. The management exception is that the five district supervisor offices act as a voting board in a policymaking and quasi-judicial role. What these offices do affects all of us.
The countywide elected district attorney, treasurer tax collector and assessor-recorder are three important offices which need job focused experience and qualifications with a strong management background to best benefit our rural county.
We sometimes don’t get that and should not vote for low performing incumbents. But if we get a good elected official, reelecting them is key to constantly improving the office.
As a former county supervisor, I saw firsthand how either a poorly or well-performing elected official can influence county government. I’d like to put some opinions on the table based on what I saw for three offices coming up for vote on June 7.
First, keep the good ones. District attorney: Susan Krones is a highly experienced manager and keen legal mind who has performed at a highly professional level for an office with a tough job, getting justice for victims of crime. Let’s not let her get away for a very minimally qualified challenger.
Second, elect the right ones. Treasurer-tax collector: This office has needed change for years and is now vacant for voters to put the right person in place: Patrick Sullivan is the highest qualified candidate for that office in years. He is a proven manager, attorney and accountant with a perfect temperament for working with people and governments. We would be lucky to get him and he definitely has my vote.
Third, change the wrong ones. Assessor-recorder: This officeholder has been a non-performer for 8 years and unfortunately ran unopposed last time. The challenger, Hannah Faith Lee brings the right stuff to the office and has a far better chance of making that office work for the public. I’m impressed with her management qualifications and business approach. She gets my vote for what is a very much-needed change.
Jim Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, California. He is a former Lake County supervisor.
The partisan election process for national and state offices sometimes overshadows and gets confused with county offices.
County elected offices are nonpartisan to any political party and are more hands-on management jobs. The management exception is that the five district supervisor offices act as a voting board in a policymaking and quasi-judicial role. What these offices do affects all of us.
The countywide elected district attorney, treasurer tax collector and assessor-recorder are three important offices which need job focused experience and qualifications with a strong management background to best benefit our rural county.
We sometimes don’t get that and should not vote for low performing incumbents. But if we get a good elected official, reelecting them is key to constantly improving the office.
As a former county supervisor, I saw firsthand how either a poorly or well-performing elected official can influence county government. I’d like to put some opinions on the table based on what I saw for three offices coming up for vote on June 7.
First, keep the good ones. District attorney: Susan Krones is a highly experienced manager and keen legal mind who has performed at a highly professional level for an office with a tough job, getting justice for victims of crime. Let’s not let her get away for a very minimally qualified challenger.
Second, elect the right ones. Treasurer-tax collector: This office has needed change for years and is now vacant for voters to put the right person in place: Patrick Sullivan is the highest qualified candidate for that office in years. He is a proven manager, attorney and accountant with a perfect temperament for working with people and governments. We would be lucky to get him and he definitely has my vote.
Third, change the wrong ones. Assessor-recorder: This officeholder has been a non-performer for 8 years and unfortunately ran unopposed last time. The challenger, Hannah Faith Lee brings the right stuff to the office and has a far better chance of making that office work for the public. I’m impressed with her management qualifications and business approach. She gets my vote for what is a very much-needed change.
Jim Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, California. He is a former Lake County supervisor.
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- Written by: Jim Steele
In my response to the letter, “Tritchler: A businessman should know better,” Andrew — or should I say “Drew" — Tritchler goes on to say how “distressed” he was to see Anthony Farrington‘s campaign signs all over local establishments. He particularly targeted Jed Steele's winery.
No. 1, who is Andrew/Drew Tritchler? Has he attended any open forums where both candidates had time to speak? Has he reached out to ask questions directly instead of hiding behind the keyboard?
I have been a member of this community and lived in Hidden Valley Lake for over 10 years. I am informed and I went to an open forum and specifically asked Susan, “You have indicated that during COVID you were the DA and managed the office?” Wait a minute, shouldn’t our DA be fighting for our county to put the criminals/arsons/thieves/rapists/child molesters/trafficking/illegal grows and child pornography sex offenders behind bars — for a long time — instead of plea bargaining sentences for them to walk our streets, just so she can get back to “manage” the office.
I believe this “Andrew” with all the private accounts and his partner work for the Susan Krones campaign.
Any businesses or individuals have the right to publicly or privately endorse any candidate for any public office that they choose. Full stop!
To ramble on about how “offended” he is — is just nonsense. To target any business in any way for their political views such as Clay Shannon that is supporting Anthony Farrington, when we should be supporting our neighbors and local businesses, this has been a rough two years in this economy and to try and target businesses is appalling.
It is very clear to me why Susan has a record of failing to place bullies behind bars, if she can’t control her supporters from being bullies ... how is she expected to control the courtroom?
There is plenty to be grateful for in Lake County including our right and responsibility to vote for anyone we choose who is running for our county seats and elections without being bullied.
So by all means support who you want publicly or privately, but please don’t take the food from our neighbors’ mouths because of an opinion.
I know that I will be voting for Anthony Farrington; why you ask? It’s because he has served Lake County his whole life, growing up here and serving on the Board of Supervisors for four terms.
He will be tough on criminals and support law enforcement. He will make criminals think twice before they break the laws in Lake County. He will treat others with respect and dignity and I’m sure he will leave the administrative tasks to his team.
Kimberly Armstrong lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
No. 1, who is Andrew/Drew Tritchler? Has he attended any open forums where both candidates had time to speak? Has he reached out to ask questions directly instead of hiding behind the keyboard?
I have been a member of this community and lived in Hidden Valley Lake for over 10 years. I am informed and I went to an open forum and specifically asked Susan, “You have indicated that during COVID you were the DA and managed the office?” Wait a minute, shouldn’t our DA be fighting for our county to put the criminals/arsons/thieves/rapists/child molesters/trafficking/illegal grows and child pornography sex offenders behind bars — for a long time — instead of plea bargaining sentences for them to walk our streets, just so she can get back to “manage” the office.
I believe this “Andrew” with all the private accounts and his partner work for the Susan Krones campaign.
Any businesses or individuals have the right to publicly or privately endorse any candidate for any public office that they choose. Full stop!
To ramble on about how “offended” he is — is just nonsense. To target any business in any way for their political views such as Clay Shannon that is supporting Anthony Farrington, when we should be supporting our neighbors and local businesses, this has been a rough two years in this economy and to try and target businesses is appalling.
It is very clear to me why Susan has a record of failing to place bullies behind bars, if she can’t control her supporters from being bullies ... how is she expected to control the courtroom?
There is plenty to be grateful for in Lake County including our right and responsibility to vote for anyone we choose who is running for our county seats and elections without being bullied.
So by all means support who you want publicly or privately, but please don’t take the food from our neighbors’ mouths because of an opinion.
I know that I will be voting for Anthony Farrington; why you ask? It’s because he has served Lake County his whole life, growing up here and serving on the Board of Supervisors for four terms.
He will be tough on criminals and support law enforcement. He will make criminals think twice before they break the laws in Lake County. He will treat others with respect and dignity and I’m sure he will leave the administrative tasks to his team.
Kimberly Armstrong lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
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- Written by: Kimberly Armstrong