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Opinion
There are times we don’t recognize the hard work of people who provide government services for our benefit. It is time to do so.
I would like to thank two local government agencies (both management and staff) who have contributed to improved public health and educational services during our COVID-19 crisis.
First, the Lake County Department of Health under the leadership of our Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace. Then add to this the long hours of hard work by Health Department staff. As a result, Lake County residents have greatly benefited from the increased testing capacity in mid-2020, and the increased vaccine offerings, beginning in 2021.
These public health benefits did not “just happen.” They were the result of countless hours of department management efforts and a committed staff, to prioritize and accommodate the medical needs and safety of a rural community.
However, it is, unfortunately, true that Dr. Pace sometimes encountered (from a handful of people) verbal abuse for making difficult decisions. And there is a lesson here: Disagreeing itself is not the problem. But that expressing ourselves in a disrespectful manner is a needless choice. And we must remember: Our children are watching.
So thank you, Dr. Gary Pace. You (and county staff) have saved lives.
The second government agency that warrants a serious thank you is the Lake County Office of Education. Under the leadership of County Superintendent Brock Falkenberg (and his hard working, talented staff) there have been countless hours of meticulous planning on behalf of our students. Good educational administration is steadfast in helping our children, especially during a global pandemic.
Even as a resident, we may not personally observe the hard work and difficult decisions which must be made to ensure our children’s safety. During the pandemic, public school students must be fed and countless other unforeseen obstacles overcome.
In addition, the Lake County Office of Education staff has provided many hours of emotional support to parents and children. Our county superintendent has worked tirelessly with his staff, and all individual school district superintendents to protect our children and bring schools back into session.
So, yes, it is time to thank people who are not recognized for their commitment and perseverance in their respective fields, of public health and education.
Anna Rose Ravenwoode is a lifelong educator who lives in Kelseyville, California.
I would like to thank two local government agencies (both management and staff) who have contributed to improved public health and educational services during our COVID-19 crisis.
First, the Lake County Department of Health under the leadership of our Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace. Then add to this the long hours of hard work by Health Department staff. As a result, Lake County residents have greatly benefited from the increased testing capacity in mid-2020, and the increased vaccine offerings, beginning in 2021.
These public health benefits did not “just happen.” They were the result of countless hours of department management efforts and a committed staff, to prioritize and accommodate the medical needs and safety of a rural community.
However, it is, unfortunately, true that Dr. Pace sometimes encountered (from a handful of people) verbal abuse for making difficult decisions. And there is a lesson here: Disagreeing itself is not the problem. But that expressing ourselves in a disrespectful manner is a needless choice. And we must remember: Our children are watching.
So thank you, Dr. Gary Pace. You (and county staff) have saved lives.
The second government agency that warrants a serious thank you is the Lake County Office of Education. Under the leadership of County Superintendent Brock Falkenberg (and his hard working, talented staff) there have been countless hours of meticulous planning on behalf of our students. Good educational administration is steadfast in helping our children, especially during a global pandemic.
Even as a resident, we may not personally observe the hard work and difficult decisions which must be made to ensure our children’s safety. During the pandemic, public school students must be fed and countless other unforeseen obstacles overcome.
In addition, the Lake County Office of Education staff has provided many hours of emotional support to parents and children. Our county superintendent has worked tirelessly with his staff, and all individual school district superintendents to protect our children and bring schools back into session.
So, yes, it is time to thank people who are not recognized for their commitment and perseverance in their respective fields, of public health and education.
Anna Rose Ravenwoode is a lifelong educator who lives in Kelseyville, California.
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- Written by: Anna Rose Ravenwoode
In the community of Hidden Valley Lake, north of Santa Rosa, its homeowners association plans to ignore faltering infrastructure and the demands of climate change in favor of an $8-plus million golf clubhouse.
The building project comes before the Lake County Planning Commission on April 8.
The 6,000 residents of the subdivision have fought bitterly with each other about the project, often golfer vs. non-golfer, over the last seven years. During those years the likelihood that the proposed “Hartmann Complex” will sooner or later be flooded by one or more atmospheric river events has become increasingly apparent.
The project site shares a high-risk flood zone designation with nearby homes that have been repeatedly flooded. The flood waters don’t come primarily from rising creeks, but from runoff trapped due to inadequate and unmaintained storm drainage infrastructure.
Some residents, including those on higher ground, have also argued that stepped-up wildfire measures should take precedence over relocating and expanding the clubhouse, whose public restaurant is already heavily subsidized by the HOA.
We hope the public will urge the Planning Commission to reject this boondoggle, or at least make it contingent on resolution of long-standing disputes between governmental entities regarding storm infrastructure responsibilities.
Barbara Jenichen is president of HVL Now. She lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
The building project comes before the Lake County Planning Commission on April 8.
The 6,000 residents of the subdivision have fought bitterly with each other about the project, often golfer vs. non-golfer, over the last seven years. During those years the likelihood that the proposed “Hartmann Complex” will sooner or later be flooded by one or more atmospheric river events has become increasingly apparent.
The project site shares a high-risk flood zone designation with nearby homes that have been repeatedly flooded. The flood waters don’t come primarily from rising creeks, but from runoff trapped due to inadequate and unmaintained storm drainage infrastructure.
Some residents, including those on higher ground, have also argued that stepped-up wildfire measures should take precedence over relocating and expanding the clubhouse, whose public restaurant is already heavily subsidized by the HOA.
We hope the public will urge the Planning Commission to reject this boondoggle, or at least make it contingent on resolution of long-standing disputes between governmental entities regarding storm infrastructure responsibilities.
Barbara Jenichen is president of HVL Now. She lives in Hidden Valley Lake, California.
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- Written by: Barbara Jenichen
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the entire Lake County Board of Supervisors for their recent adoption of the proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County at their regular meeting on Feb. 23, 2021.
Through a collaborative process with community members, staff and the Board, Lake County is, once again, at the forefront of communities around the nation taking a stance in this national crisis.
Besides it being (as best as I know) a first for board members to each read a section of a proclamation, which, to me, emphasizes their personal commitment to the contents, my understanding is that it was the first time a proclamation included action steps, which speaks highly of the board's commitment to prioritize solutions to these issues.
As was also noted during board discussion by Tina Scott, co-sponsor of the proclamation with Eddie (E.J.) Crandall, this is the most diverse board in Lake County history – something in itself to be celebrated.
It should also be noted that to fold in and prioritize these crucial issues whilst in the midst of a pandemic and recovery from numerous large scale disasters tells me this is a board committed to upholding our nation's greatest ideals equally for everyone in our community.
Anyone who has experienced any form of violence or inequity directed toward themselves, or a group they identify with – be it through race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, or ethnicity, can feel a little bit safer in Lake County knowing these types of crimes against our citizens and democracy are not taken lightly here – and for that I am deeply grateful.
I look forward to seeing Lake County continue to help move our nation further toward a culture of care and inclusion and away from the antagonistic and violent 'othering' that is proving to be so disheartening and damaging to our country. I believe this is a powerful step toward that vision.
JoAnn Saccato, MA, lives in Cobb, California.
Through a collaborative process with community members, staff and the Board, Lake County is, once again, at the forefront of communities around the nation taking a stance in this national crisis.
Besides it being (as best as I know) a first for board members to each read a section of a proclamation, which, to me, emphasizes their personal commitment to the contents, my understanding is that it was the first time a proclamation included action steps, which speaks highly of the board's commitment to prioritize solutions to these issues.
As was also noted during board discussion by Tina Scott, co-sponsor of the proclamation with Eddie (E.J.) Crandall, this is the most diverse board in Lake County history – something in itself to be celebrated.
It should also be noted that to fold in and prioritize these crucial issues whilst in the midst of a pandemic and recovery from numerous large scale disasters tells me this is a board committed to upholding our nation's greatest ideals equally for everyone in our community.
Anyone who has experienced any form of violence or inequity directed toward themselves, or a group they identify with – be it through race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, ability, or ethnicity, can feel a little bit safer in Lake County knowing these types of crimes against our citizens and democracy are not taken lightly here – and for that I am deeply grateful.
I look forward to seeing Lake County continue to help move our nation further toward a culture of care and inclusion and away from the antagonistic and violent 'othering' that is proving to be so disheartening and damaging to our country. I believe this is a powerful step toward that vision.
JoAnn Saccato, MA, lives in Cobb, California.
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- Written by: JoAnn Saccato
Shame, shame on the Lakeport City Council for cutting down the beautiful, mature sycamore trees on Main Street. But don't worry, says the city council, they will be replaced by boxed trees. One hundred year old trees cannot be replaced so easily as that.
Yes, the sidewalks were lifted but they had to be replaced anyway. How about designing the new sidewalks around the trees?
But limbs might drop, they worry. What a canard! By that logic, every large tree in Lakeport needs to be hewn, including those in Library Park.
Sacramento, the “City of Trees,” somehow manages to live under the canopy of their magnificent urban forest as does Chico and countless other cities proud of their trees.
It's a heritage we have lost. It takes a long time to grow trees like those taken from us this month. But it only takes one bad decision and a few days for people anxious to whip out the chainsaws and our trees are gone forever.
Andrew Tritchler is a retired agricultural biologist who lives in Lakeport, California.
Yes, the sidewalks were lifted but they had to be replaced anyway. How about designing the new sidewalks around the trees?
But limbs might drop, they worry. What a canard! By that logic, every large tree in Lakeport needs to be hewn, including those in Library Park.
Sacramento, the “City of Trees,” somehow manages to live under the canopy of their magnificent urban forest as does Chico and countless other cities proud of their trees.
It's a heritage we have lost. It takes a long time to grow trees like those taken from us this month. But it only takes one bad decision and a few days for people anxious to whip out the chainsaws and our trees are gone forever.
Andrew Tritchler is a retired agricultural biologist who lives in Lakeport, California.
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- Written by: Andrew Tritchler