Letters
- Details
- Written by: Jim Lyle
It should not be forgotten that he is also a past Poet Laureate of Lake County. I have had the pleasure of giving, selling and recommending his work to many people, and they always ratify how much they they were both pleased and impressed.
Jim Lyle, himself a past Lake County Poet Laureate, live in Yountville.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Harry De Lope
It was the most exciting sporting competition we have ever witnessed.
The wakeboard, slalom, “last man standing,” the skydiving, motorcycle jumps, motorcycle stunts, BMX bike show and the finals of the wakeboard competition filled our day with excitement and amazement at the expertise of these young professionals.
The event organizers only lamented the low lake level as it limited the height of the waves and made it less challenging.
The venue at Konocti Vista Casino was well planned and we only had to turn our chairs to watch the on-the-water show and then to see the on-land competition and show.
The no alcohol rule on land was adhered to and made our enjoyment truly a family event.
We realize that the reputation of prior BoardStock events prohibited many local residents from attending, but we urge everyone to welcome BoardStock in 2008, if it is held once again at Konocti Vista Casino and is earlier in the year, perhaps in July or August.
We cannot compliment the Boardstock organizers, the Konocti Vista Staff and the sponsors (Toyota and Centurion Boats) enough for their professionalism and expertise.
Judging by the empty parking lots, the half-filled bleacher seats, the vendors with no lines and the free giveaways with few takers, we have to conclude the event may have lost money. If that is so, we still hope they will come back next year.
When BoardStock returns, we hope ALL of Lake County's residents will join our family in supporting and enjoying these young competitors.
Lake County and Clear Lake is an outstanding location for this type of competition and we need more national and international event organizers to recognize this fact.
But they will not come unless we attend and make this profitable.
Harry De Lope lives in Kelseyville.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Craig Bach
Earlier this summer residents of Lucerne were presented with another proposed rate hike of 21.7 percent next year, and 3.38 percent the following year. The purpose of this rate hike would be to cover increasing health care costs, pensions and workers compensation insurance costs, water quality programs and after-hours customer service support.
In addition to this, once the new plant is finally completed (hopefully by next summer), Lucerne's ratepayers will be presented with yet another raise to pay back the state loan. The only good thing about this raise is that with the completion of the new plant, our water should actually be drinkable!
Cal Water is also planning to consolidate all of its rate hikes into a package deal, because now they apply for raises for one-third of their districts at a time. This means that their next major rate hike for everyone in the Cal Water system would be in 2011, and promises to be a real whopper.
This all leads me to two other issues. One was that we were notified last week of excessive levels of Trihalomethanes (THMs), which are a residual product of chlorination, that had occurred over the last year. Then, for a grand finale, last Friday, we were presented with “boil your water” notices for our good behavior. There was an excellent article in last Saturday's online Lake County News that went into great detail regarding these two events. The boil water order would last five days.
An attempt on my part to contact the California Public Utilities Commission by phone resulted in my being on various holds for half an hour, and then finding that the ONE (and only one) person assigned to water issues wasn't even available. Better results were obtained when I called the state Department of Health Services in Santa Rosa (707-576-2145), who promptly returned my call.
We don't have a new water plant yet due to an originally overly-ambitious, platinum-plated design on the part of Cal Water. Luckily both the county and Caltrans had enough problems with the original design that it has since been simplified and downsized, keeping the existing office, and using a modular microfiltration system that will vastly improve water quality here in Lucerne.
It seems to me that the only way for the citizens of Lucerne to be fully served by their water system is to own it. How we'll actually do that remains to be seen, but we DO have options.
In Lucerne there is a group of Volunteers,called Lucerne FLOW (Friends of Locally Owned Water). This group is working on acquiring the water company for the benefit of Lucerne. They meet at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center on the first Thursday of the month. Feel free to come and help.
The contact phone number for messages only is 274-3346. Call and leave your name and phone number and someone will get back to you.
Craig Bach is a director of the Lucerne Community Water Organization.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Scott and Linda Fergusson
First, HVL Security for their timely and professional response, the paramedics, the fire department and the California Highway Patrol for their professional care and treatment at the scene. Redbud hospital ER for the good care in the middle of the night. Our friends and family for being there to help us when we needed it for help with work, rides, meals and good company. Everyone who has wished us well and kept us in their thoughts and prayers.
And finally, the powers that be for divine intervention in keeping us protected from serious injury and death.
Always buckle up for safety! And never drink and drive.
Scott and Linda Fergusson (aka Hero and Angel) live in Middletown.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
How to resolve AdBlock issue?