Letters
I have been waiting to see if there will be an obituary posted for Gene Paleno and so far there hasn’t been one. I would like to add these comments about a remarkable man I was fortunate to know.
I was lucky to be a part of a Hospice grief support group that Gene also attended. We met weekly. I always looked forward to seeing the smile and twinkle in his eye which was there every time no matter what.
Gene gave us the best advice, some that I have tried to follow: when you are down, pick up the phone and call someone and ask how they are doing. Listen to them and try to support and help.
He encouraged us to volunteer and said when you are helping others you don’t have time to feel your own sadness. It reminded me so much of a sampler my mother had on her wall — “Look towards the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.”
I know that Gene was involved with many projects and groups in Lake County, always trying to make life better for his community.
He was a positive force for good, always a gentleman, but someone who would be adamant about what was the right thing to do.
He had such an impact, for seniors especially, it would be fitting if something could be dedicated in his memory. A nice bench in the park perhaps.
Gene made a difference. I am grateful to have known him.
Carolynn Jarrett lives in Clearlake, California.
I was lucky to be a part of a Hospice grief support group that Gene also attended. We met weekly. I always looked forward to seeing the smile and twinkle in his eye which was there every time no matter what.
Gene gave us the best advice, some that I have tried to follow: when you are down, pick up the phone and call someone and ask how they are doing. Listen to them and try to support and help.
He encouraged us to volunteer and said when you are helping others you don’t have time to feel your own sadness. It reminded me so much of a sampler my mother had on her wall — “Look towards the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.”
I know that Gene was involved with many projects and groups in Lake County, always trying to make life better for his community.
He was a positive force for good, always a gentleman, but someone who would be adamant about what was the right thing to do.
He had such an impact, for seniors especially, it would be fitting if something could be dedicated in his memory. A nice bench in the park perhaps.
Gene made a difference. I am grateful to have known him.
Carolynn Jarrett lives in Clearlake, California.
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- Written by: Carolynn Jarrett
I’m not a Democrat or a Republican, but I did pay attention to high school biology, and so when I read the LCN’s recent “Lady Of The Lake” article on Clear Lake algae and cyanobacteria, I nearly spat out my coffee.
She says “people can’t do much about the temperature of the water.” Wait what? Has she stepped outside lately? Local temperatures — which affect the Clear Lake water — are off the charts in a record breaking drought, and yes, people are partly the cause. I learned in sixth grade that carbon from humans burning fossil fuels is accelerating a trend of rising temperatures. It’s called global warming.
She also says cyanobacteria and algae get worse from nitrogen and phosphorus. What are those? Sixth grade biology again: nitrogen and phosphorus are pollution from agriculture.
Clear Lake is naturally shallow, nutrient dense and vulnerable to ambient temperature. That won’t change. But pollution from humans does make algae and bacteria growth — and the bad smell — worse. Exactly how much worse? Nobody has paid to do that research, or find out how much it would cost to support a healthier ecological balance.
The human impact on Clear Lake is long term, but real. And some of us aren’t just thinking about next weekend’s barbecue. If we care about children and grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoying Clear Lake, we had better start planning long term for the future. And yes, human pollution — and choices — make a difference.
The sooner we get started — and remember our high school biology — the better.
Will Hall lives in Kelseyville, California.
She says “people can’t do much about the temperature of the water.” Wait what? Has she stepped outside lately? Local temperatures — which affect the Clear Lake water — are off the charts in a record breaking drought, and yes, people are partly the cause. I learned in sixth grade that carbon from humans burning fossil fuels is accelerating a trend of rising temperatures. It’s called global warming.
She also says cyanobacteria and algae get worse from nitrogen and phosphorus. What are those? Sixth grade biology again: nitrogen and phosphorus are pollution from agriculture.
Clear Lake is naturally shallow, nutrient dense and vulnerable to ambient temperature. That won’t change. But pollution from humans does make algae and bacteria growth — and the bad smell — worse. Exactly how much worse? Nobody has paid to do that research, or find out how much it would cost to support a healthier ecological balance.
The human impact on Clear Lake is long term, but real. And some of us aren’t just thinking about next weekend’s barbecue. If we care about children and grandchildren and great grandchildren enjoying Clear Lake, we had better start planning long term for the future. And yes, human pollution — and choices — make a difference.
The sooner we get started — and remember our high school biology — the better.
Will Hall lives in Kelseyville, California.
- Details
- Written by: Will Hall
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