Letters
- Details
- Written by: Franz Bingel
Clear Lake is owned by the State of California and administered under the Public Trust Doctrine, which dictates that you and I, as citizens of this state, have the right to access this body of water 24/7. This right cannot be revoked.
The Department of Fish and Game has jurisdiction over closing a body of water to fishing or hunting for specific reasons, but they can't legally stop you from accessing the lake for boating, swimming, etc.
Closing the lake to public access would violate the Public Trust Doctrine.
What that meeting failed to mention was about birds transporting the mussels from one body of water to another.
Cache Creek is the only natural outlet of Clear Lake. The creek runs 79.8 miles and feeds into the Sacramento River. Otters arrive into Clear Lake via traveling from the Sacramento River. They could possibly carry the mussels in, or out of Clear Lake.
Closing a body of water would mean no release of any water from that source. Yolo County owns the water rights to Clear Lake and are irrevocable, unless 1) they fail to use the water, or 2) fail to adhere to the Solano Decree for discharge from the lake via the Cache Creek Dam. Closing the lake would violate their water rights.
I don't believe the state could feasibly close Clear Lake without legal ramifications.
Just my honest opinion.
Franz Bingel lives in Clearlake.
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- Details
- Written by: Suzanne Schneider
A recent article in the Record-Bee (3/18/08) about the rate study for water and sewer rates contains quotes by county officials that point to the need for change.
Farrington's comments about "improper management and financial irresponsibility" are hilarious. Any improper management or irresponsibility are a DIRECT reflection on him and other Board of Supervisors members. As with most things that are not hand fed to him Farrington is incapable of getting the facts straight or being able to add two and two and come up with four.
History will show that every Special Districts administrator in memory has tried to have appropriate rates and connection fees. The Board of Supervisors has been less than supportive even in the light of obvious shortfalls.
We have supervisors who think their cronies should have their fees waived. We have supervisors who refuse to consider any increase during election years. We have supervisors who do not have a clue how to run a business. We have supervisors who believe they know better than health department rules and regulations.
As long as the water and sewer districts are governed by POLITICIANS instead of being operated like nonprofit BUSINESSES there will be problems. It won't matter what this rate study says because the Board of Supervisors won't support adequate increases because it is an election year.
Farrington was quoted as wanting to consolidate districts. Of course he does because HIS constituents stand to gain the most – while others will lose.
The best thing for all water and sewer districts governed by the county would be to set up a board with zero allegiance to elected officials.
Suzanne Schneider lives in Kelseyville.
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- Details
- Written by: Cher Hutchinson
We, the city of Clearlake,are just a few meetings away from having the ability to save our trees and our rural atmosphere. Now it goes to the Clearlake City Council members.
The members of the Vision Task Force that could make the meeting were very pleased with the ordinance.
Cher Hutchinson lives in Clearlake.
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- Details
- Written by: Gale Tompkins
My advice to anyone considering risking any money in any type of financial situation is to thoroughly research the individual or company you are doing business with.
Unsolicited emails and phone calls are obvious scams. But what about someone who seems legitimate; he has an office, business cards, perhaps a secretary or two? Believe it or not, this is where it's easy to get scammed! Don’t just go by fancy certificates on their walls; check to see if they are actually members of the associations they claim to be part of. Do the “associations” even exist at all?
Look online for records of other consumers’ experiences. If you notice that the person seems to have records of many businesses in many locations, don’t assume that the businesses are all currently in successful operation. Speaking from personal experience, this has indicated that the businessman had many troubles in the various locations, and had to close businesses and frequently relocate.
Don’t be fooled by a businessman’s fancy possessions, exciting promises or big eager smile. Read between the lines, ask around, examine the fine print, bring a witness with you. If it seems like it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
If you have been a victim of financial abuses, or know someone who has been victimized, remember that the district attorney has special fraud investigators to assist you. In Lake County these people are passionate and dedicated to bringing criminals to justice.
The State of California also encourages consumers to contact them with complaints. Reputable associations like the National Ethics Bureau appreciate knowing if one of their members has acted unprofessionally. Even local government officials can be helpful in your quest for justice.
If enough people speak up, a track record builds up, and the perpetrator has less of a chance to get away with abusing future victims.
Protect yourself. In so doing, you help protect us all.
Gale Tompkins lives in Kelseyville.
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