Why are criminals and failures getting Lake County’s most prestigious awards? Last October, Janine Smith-Citron (Lake Family Resource Center’s Programs Coordinator) generously honored sheriff's Deputy Derik Navarro with the esteemed “Law Enforcement Officer of Distinction” award. He demonstrated “professionalism and compassion” with victims of domestic violence, she gushed. Recently, he was arrested and charged with 18 felony counts related to sex acts with minors. Just how much research goes into these grand decorations, anyway?!

Melissa Fulton (Executive Director of the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce) recently flattered applause and compliments on Louise Nan, district superintendent of Konocti Unified School District. She’s “Woman of the Year,” burbled award judges praising her for, “years working in the Konocti Unified School District.” Her smiling face glowed under the STARS SHINE headlines on the front pages of the local newspapers. Unfortunately, her students at KUSD don’t shine when they take state tests. Louise, no doubt, is a friendly lady but she can’t teach kids to read, write and do arithmetic.

The same honor judges gave Bill Cornelison a “Lifetime Achievement” prize at the “Stars of Lake County” celebration. Bill was superintendent of Lake County Office of Education for many years. How do common, ordinary and unsuccessful, government employees get such high awards? They dress nice and smile a lot but, then, so does Barney.

It’s as plain as the nose on your face, Fulton and Smith-Citron need remedial classes in award giving. Sheriff's deputies charged with crimes should receive gleaming “Fleecing Taxpayer” medals instead of being “Officers of Distinction.” Superintendents of failing schools should be “Bogus Bumbling Professors” instead of “Women of the Year.” Newspaper editors who don’t pay attention to who‘s getting awards and for what, should get a great big “Empty Suit“ trophy. “The worse I get the more popular I am,“ is supposed to be droll humor.

Darrell Watkins

Kelseyville

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