Letters
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- Written by: Christine Beems
I emphatically support the objectives of Senate Bill 714 and strongly assert that the problems with our criminal justice system go far broader and deeper than overcrowding ... and in fact that the steady rise in inmate populations is a consequence of this overarching failure.
Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders is a huge part of this critical problem and in context of the lives of inmates and their families now being devoured by the ramifications of incarceration, 18 months is too long to wait.
The American people deserve to have a JUSTICE SYSTEM that works for the well-being of ALL involved yet the fact is that the damage being done by the war on drugs is – in and of itself – as criminal as is waterboarding.
Better to take the tens of billions of our tax dollars currently being wasted on the enforcement of negatively effective draconian policies and spend it on healtcare, education and energy self-sufficiency.
In addition to Senator Webb's legislation, I also call for immediate support of HR 1466 with the addition of a retroactive clause as this would quickly help many who are now unjustly imprisoned and prevent more atrocity from coming to pass …
Christine Beems lives in Shirley, Arkansas.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
First up came an application from a cell phone company that is trying to extend their service area into Lake County, but that unlike some other recent applicants was not attempting to straddle a scenic vista with yet another glaring eyesore. Instead, they followed suggested guidelines and found enough colocation sites to meet their needs. Staff recommended approval, and the commission agreed.
The last, and most extended, item on the agenda was the Avalon Springs project, an innovative proposal to renovate and expand the historic but derelict Howard Hot Springs property southwest of Lower Lake in a manner that will preserve and enhance the unique advantages of a remarkable site, while creating a sustainable, ecologically sensitive facility that will be a magnet for visitors and a model for resort developments elsewhere in the county. The commission approved that one too.
In between came a far more problematic proposal, that would have added to the unsightly billboard array south of Lakeport. For reasons that are not immediately obvious, the Community Development Department backed this application as well, even though the site is plainly visible from the nearby Highway 29 vista point and does not satisfy location requirements adopted just a few months ago. The commissioners very wisely turned the application down.
Unfortunately a most dismaying episode marred what would have otherwise been a very encouraging meeting.
This disruption occurred when Commissioner Clelia Baur attempted to expand the billboard discussion into general principles governing outdoor advertising, and was dismissively interrupted by Chair Gary Briggs.
Asserting that the subject had been discussed at length several years previously (before Commissioner Baur's appointment), he cut her off then and there.
How can the public be expected to respect the commission, when its members fail to maintain even a minimal standard of collegial courtesy in their dealings with each other?
Victoria Brandon is chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group.
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- Written by: Dr. Paula Dhanda
Nothing says thank you like the smiles of the patients and the families who we helped. One man said “Dr. Paula, I have nothing to give you for what you have done for my wife. All I can do is thank God for sending you here.” His smile and gratitude was more than enough thanks for me.
We did three or four major surgeries a day and saw 15 to 20 patients in consultation. The hospital announced that there would be a gynecologist coming and women came from the surrounding areas to be seen. Many of them walked all the way and waited outside all day in the heat to be seen. There were language barriers to overcome but their gratitude needed no translation. One woman who had recurrent miscarriages said that she knew that her current pregnancy would be OK because I had put my hands on her. As a physician, surgeon and scientist I could only hope for the best.
The whole team worked very hard. Peggy Landini our occupational therapist did amazing work. She got a burn victim walking after 12 years of ambulating on her knees. Surgeons had released her leg contractures but without Peggy’s help she was unable to walk.
Carol Broughton and Shan Dhanda worked tirelessly assisting in surgery, helping on the ward, and reorganizing and cleaning the rat infested hospital pharmacy. In the midst of all this we handed out clothing, stuffed animals and puzzles to the children. Even the nurses had fun doing the children’s puzzle as many had never seen one.
I know we accomplished a lot of good in our short time but it was not enough. After performing a lifesaving surgery I would walk out to the floor or emergency ward to see a child dying of a disease that is normally considered preventable and feel inadequate. The children are often malnourished and brought in too late for us to help. What more can we do to help these people?
Thank you again to all the generous people who donated to this mission. Your support is so essential and appreciated. We have so much compared to these people who often go without food, shelter or medical care. By the way, we all lost about10 pounds in 2 weeks living on the diet of our host in Béré.
Paula R. Dhanda, MD lives in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Kevin Keeley
Congratulations to the raffle winners: Lyle LaFaver, Margo Walters, June Hughes, Linda Kelly, Pamela Held, Rebecca Dierssen, Diane Henderson and Bob Henig.
In particular, we wished to thank the following people, businesses and organizations who helped out with the raffle by donating prizes: Shannon Ridge Vineyards; Lake County Wine Studio; Lake County Winery Association; Lake County Winegrape Growers Commission; Lake County Public Services; Pete McGee; Herb Gura; Brad Barnwell; General Store at Clear Lake State Park; AirKayaks; Six Sigma; Ceago; Hidden Oaks Estates; Rosa de Oro; Gregory Graham; Tulip Hill; Moore Family Winery; Shed Horn Cellars; Brassfield Estates; Duisinberre; Wildhurst; Guenoc; Ployez; and Langtry.
Many thanks to all those who bought tickets or helped out with raffle sales, it was greatly appreciated. For more information on the Mt. Konocti Acquisition, visit www.PreserveKonocti.org.
Kevin Keeley is with the Konocti Project Inc.
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