Letters
- Details
- Written by: James Henderson
James Henderson lives in Lakeport.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Four board members voted in the affirmative – Rushing, Robey, Farrington and Smith – all of whom seemed to be so well versed on the issue that persuasion was superfluous. The most striking remarks came from Board Chair Jeff Smith, who admitted to an original assumption that global warming was just the latest example of media hype, but went on to say that his doubts had been vanquished after his wife brought the alarming reduction of polar bear habitat to his attention, and that he no longer questioned the scope and immediacy of this worldwide threat, or the necessity for a proactive stance from all levels of government.
Unfortunately neither the arguments of his colleagues nor those presented by members of the public appeared to carry much weight with District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown. Although his objection to participation in the Cool Counties initiative seemed to be largely based on the fallacious ideas that Alameda County was trying to impose its will on rural California and that signing on would be a merely symbolic "feel good" gesture, he nonetheless took the opportunity for a completely egregious swipe at former Vice President Al Gore, comparing him to self-confessed dog-fighter Michael Vick. After that, Brown's "no" vote seemed almost beside the point – though one that District 5 voters might well remember when he comes up for reelection next year.
The nationwide Cool Counties campaign has been up and running for barely more than a month, and no list of subscribing entities seems to be available, although more than 600 municipalities have signed onto the corollary Cool Cities initiative during the past two years.
But aside from Alameda County, which was among the eight large urban "founding members," Lake County appears to be the first participant in California. If so, our primacy is especially appropriate since in many respects Lake County – with our abundance of unspoiled habitat and the cleanest air in
California – is already in the Cool Green lead, and county government has already begun to take many positive steps to conserve energy, reduce polluting emissions, and set us on the path to a sustainable future.
Please take a moment to give your supervisor a call at 263-2368 to say "well done!" – unless you live in District 5, in which case an inquiry about the whereabouts of the particular sand dune where Supervisor Brown lays his head these days might be appropriate.
Victoria Brandon is chair of the Sierra Club Lake Group. She lives in Lower Lake.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: Dean Gotham
Several months ago, Dave Schober of Clearlake contacted Lakeport’s Veterans Service Office since Mr. Schober’s nephew, Anthony Schober, was killed in the May ambush of American soldiers in Iraq. He needed a ride from Clearlake to Santa Rosa for his family of eight to attend the fallen soldier’s funeral.
The Veterans Service Office contacted me. After researching the possibilities, I was fortunate to find Aero-Shuttle, a new company in Lake County. They would meet our needs charging $150, then making up the difference.
Aero Shuttle’s driver, a Vietnam veteran, picked up the group that morning, transported them to the funeral and family reunion in Petaluma and was kind enough to wait and return the group to Clearlake. Aero’s owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Tennison, decided to donate their services.
This service is the type of support Lake County needs not only for active duty personnel but for our fallen soldiers. Genevieve Snow, VVA member, rode Aero Shuttle last August from Kit’s Corner to Sacramento. She can attest to excellence in service and a pleasant ride.
Aero Shuttle is to be commended for the service that they provide Lake County.
Dean Gotham is president of the Vietnam Vets of America Chapter 951. He lives in Clearlake.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
- Details
- Written by: JoAnn Saccato
I'm writing all my representatives to let them know that I am voting for Dennis Kucinich in the upcoming presidental election because I believe him to be the only candidate running that has a full vision of what is necessary to truly lead America and its people into a future of a true world leadership role, rather than continuing to be the mere representative of destructive free-market capitalist strategies that the current administration and Congress have perpetuated, leaving not only America highly vulnerable in the world arena, but allowing the damage to the planet to continue with devastating results.
He seems to be the only candidate willing to address the inequities imposed by corporate oligarchy and their privatized profits and socialized losses. He is willing to abolish the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement with good reason and is willing to revamp health care into a not-for-profit system that is available to everyone.
He seems to be the only candidate willing to end the mess in Iraq immediately. He seems the only candidate who understands the underlying causes of war and is willing to work seriously towards world peace. (Is anyone bold enough to take the profit out of war?)
He seems the only candidate with the courage to impeach a president and vice president whose unlawful acts put America to shame and are responsible for tens of thousands of lives being lost.
I recognize that the media has become a sustaining factor for supporting the current course of action America is taking. Mr. Kucinich's coverage seems to be intentionally lost by the mainstream media, though his word is spreading through a grassroots movement of those desiring to return America to its greatness at home and abroad.
Thank you for your time and service.
JoAnn Saccato lives in Clearlake Oaks.
{mos_sb_discuss:4}
How to resolve AdBlock issue?