Letters
- Details
- Written by: Thaxter C. Bodley
Getting permission to use the truck from my bosses, Brad and Cathy Anderson, at C&A Trucking was no problem. They have always been generous this way, but Cathy did say that she couldn’t allow anyone to ride on the trailer for liability reasons. So just like that, my plan was out the window. Now I had to think long and hard about how I could help Operation Tango Mike in the parade without the troops. Then it hit me.
As of May 20, 2008, 4,081 young men and women died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and I decided to represent the brave soldiers who gave the ultimate of their lives in these, our most recent wars. With this theme as our beginning, I enlisted my son-in-law Wayne Lyon at Wooden Creations to carve the center piece that would pay respect to our heroes.
While on the road during the week before the parade I picked up 21 big flags. Meanwhile, Wayne was hard at work on the wood carving. The day before the parade there was a work party at my house with Operation Tango Mike volunteers, veterans, mothers of veterans and my wife, Dawn. Having so much help was wonderful and we actually got the truck ready to go with time to spare, unlike previous years. Saturday morning saw the final touches put on the truck named Freedom. My son, Chris, mounted the M1 and set the boots and helmet on the memorial carving.
From my seat in the truck I could see many people were moved by what we had brought. It’s a special view from up there, seeing the little children with their flags held high, all the smiles and applause. I felt we had truly done something remarkable for our fallen soldiers, something they would be proud of too. I’ll never forget seeing the judges stand and applaud as I stopped in front of their booth. They liked the truck so much, in fact, that they awarded it the “Grand Prize” for the parade and sent me a check for $125.
While $125 is a generous prize and I am grateful, I will not be keeping that money. Helping Operation Tango Mike with the parade was a great experience, but they need more than just moral support. That’s why I’m donating the “Grand Prize” money to Operation Tango Mike, along with my own matched contribution. It is my hope to plant the seed of the prize money and watch it grow with the help of our community. With your help we can do some thing very special for Operation Tango Mike, so they can continue to do the wonderful job they do of supporting our service men and women. This is a chance to show that we care and honor those who give so much in our name.
I offer a challenge to all of Lake County to see how much money we can raise for the troops by July 15. If you can match the $125, that would be wonderful, but you don’t have to. Please just give what you can. Even a letter with encouragement and good wishes will help brighten a soldier’s day and remind them that their sacrifice is being remembered here at home. Make checks payable to Operation Tango Mike with the notation GPG (Grand Prize Giveaway). Drop checks and/or letters of encouragement to Umpqua Bank 805 11th Street Lakeport, CA 95453.
In closing many thanks to Operation Tango Mike – Donna Christopher, Don McCown, Peg McCown, Jackie Morgan, Vic Morgan, Suzie Defrancisci, Natalie Baker, Ron Quick, Ginny Craven, and congratulations to all participants of the 2008 memorial parade.
Thaxter C. Bodley lives in Lakeport.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Truthfully, they didn’t resign. They stopped claiming offices they didn’t hold. They were in violation of term limits, one of the most fundamental rules of the association they claimed to represent. Both, CC&R's and by-laws, say no board member may hold office more than two consecutive years. Special elections must be held to fill vacancies when no one is eligible.
In other words, they were imposters. They deceived many into thinking they had a right to hold office. Because of a guest commentary in the Lake County News (and arduous efforts of a group called “We the People”) revealed the truth, there was a persistent groundswell of dissent, forcing them out.
By pretending to be bona-fide representatives, Alan and Sid have placed homeowners in great danger. They’ve signed contracts for liability insurance that can be overturned in litigation. Like the real estate agent whose license expired, their eligibility had run out. Violating the CC&R’s, they were no longer members in good standing. Applications for insurance must be truthful or insurance companies can refuse to pay. Everyone knows they have good attorneys.
It gets worse. Every ineligible vote Sid and Alan made while they pretended to be directors may be disqualified. Lake County Supervisors should pay attention because (before they “resigned”) Alan and Sid voted to recommend an increase in property taxes for everyone in the Riviera. They forwarded their recommendation to the county. Supervisors would be wise to send this recommendation back to the association until it has eligible agents.
Darrell Watkins lives in Kelseyville.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Dave Gebhard
It is a crime that our administration has tied foreign aid to not giving birth control to their citizens. One of the success stories is Brazil, where they rejected our foreign aid in order to decrease their population's growth rate to a controllable level. That and their use of sugar beets to make fuel has allowed them to be comparatively free of imported oil.
When are our leaders going to wake up and realize that overpopulation is just increasing current problems, especially since we are not dealing with them now.
We need to change course, and disregard the religious sanctions against population control measures, especially tying foreign aid to them. The third world and those who are not well educated are those most in need of birth control information and assistance. Our government needs to take leadership to help reduce unwanted and unneeded births, it is far better than watching them starve or die of disease.
Tie foreign aid and welfare in this country into a program to limit unwanted births to prevent starvation, and worse in the future. The program to tie welfare into Norplant was a bust, but a good idea. Children should not have to be born into families who cannot provide for them, food, shelter, clean water and a basic education. It is cruelty to children, to bear them vicariously, and make them raise themselves.
Dave Gebhard in Lakeport.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Konocti Christian Academy
More than 175 guests attended and enjoyed students' presentations of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and “Twelfth Night.” Thanks to local artists who demonstrated woodcarving, leather working, era-inspired music, brass rubbing, archery, face painting to kids and adults alike.
Special thanks to Deb Baumann and her horse Sunny for their exciting “Riding for the Rings” and to Joel and Ben Sombs for their trebuchet (catapult) demonstration.
Guest chefs Chris and Kelly Moe and Wes Nelms smoked pork was one of the highlights of the gourmet lunch. The live and silent auctions were a huge success thanks to the many and highly generous donations of:
Allen’s Furniture
Anita Bridges
Becky Madison
Bill Grossner
Bobbie Bridges
Brian Donnelly
Brown’s Buffalo Ranch
Campos Casuals
Catfish Books
Don McCown
Emily Farrell
Focused on Wine
Frank Redick
Gary & Kim Olson
Gene Kirkendall
Good Day Gifts
Katie Bridges-Folk
Kim Costa
Lake County Piano Academy
Lakeport English Inn
LaVonda Wascom
Linda’s Tip’n Toes
Michelle Scully
Mireya Turner
Moonlight Way Designs
Nor-Cal Telcom
PinCushion Designs
Rugrat’s Reruns
Sally’s Shear Expressions
Scully Packing Co
Skin Fitness
Soda Bay Coffee Company
Stephanie DelBosco
The Kitchen Gallery
Toshiba
WesPhotos.com
The students, staff, and faculty of KCA extend their gratitude and appreciation of all the community
support they received from local businesses and individuals who provided sponsorship for the event. We are grateful to live in such a generous and supportive community.
ROYAL SPONSORS
Bridges Construction
Catfish Books
Country Air Properties
Hillside Honda
KP Homes
PinCushion
Scully Packing Company
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
KNIGHT SPONSORS
Chris Moe Construction
C-K Supply
Dirty Dog Grooming
Healing Rooms of Lake Co
Lakeport Hobbies
Mallard House
Performance European
Sun Dental
Toshiba
Turner Construction
Turnspec
WesPhotos.com
SQUIRE SPONSORS
Coach Craft
Costless
Lakeport Furniture
Lakeport Grocery Outlet
Mendo Lake Credit Union
Shore Line Realty
State Farm Insurance
Strong Financial Network
Umpqua Bank
United Christian Parish
Uwannacamp
VanDerWall Engineering
Windsong Properties
Thank you to Wes Nelms of WesPhotos.com for taking pictures of our event and to Joe Sheffert of Sheffert Videography for videotaping the day’s memories. Also, a huge thank you to Pat and Michelle Scully for hosting this event on their beautiful property.
Konocti Christian Academy is located in Lakeport.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
How to resolve AdBlock issue?