Letters
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- Written by: Rich Curtola
On Thursday, in the mail, I received a campaign flyer from your election that concerns me, deeply.
During this election cycle I have said, several times, I think you are probably a very nice guy. Unfortunately, after seeing this mailer, I think I may be wrong.
It appears you have taken a page from the “Book of Old School Politics” by sending the absurd “hit piece” I received Thursday.
Instead of sending voters legitimate plans and/or “Day One” action items you plan to take ... you send the “hit.”
Ya’ know, Mr. Kearney ... that used to be the norm ... in the 1970s and 80s. Before voters got tired of meanness and ridiculousness in campaigns.
I’m hoping the reason you did this can be blamed on a professional “campaign consultant” who you’ve hired and who convinced you this plan of attack is strategic with three weeks to go.
Personally, I think you made a huge mistake.
This is Lake County. We are rural in spirit ... we are “down home” by choice.
We’re all neighbors. After the election, we should all be friends who just want what’s best for OUR community. In the end, candidates should BOTH pick up the shovel and work TOGETHER ... if, as they say, they really want what’s best for their community.
If you believe a “hit piece” is a good thing and that it’s going to convince undecided voters to cast their ballot for you, I think you don’t know 2020 politics in District 5.
On a separate note, your “hit” was ridiculous! You have asserted, publicly, that your opponent has somehow misconstrued her job description by stating she is “an Educator” at Cobb Elementary School.
For your benefit:
TEACHER (a noun): a person who teaches, especially in a school.
EDUCATOR (a noun): a person who provides instruction or education; a teacher.
As a former licensed educator, with a lifetime credential earned in 1973, I submit: All educators are teachers but, all teachers are not educators.
One has a licensed one doesn’t, but BOTH are absolutely critical to our world. Thus, your point of contention is an insult to educators AND teachers everywhere.
You owe Candidate Pyska a public apology. You tried to slander her statement and you failed. I am sad that you stooped to this level. You have lost my respect.
I will be voting Pyska for supervisor, Lake County District 5, on Nov. 3, 2020.
Rich Curtola lives in Cobb, California.
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- Written by: Marc Morita
I was surprised to see a campaign mailer from Bill Kearney which states that Jessica Pyska “lied to us.” It explains that Jessica is not a credentialed teacher and that she has “falsely claimed to be a school teacher.”
I have a lot of close friends, so close that their children sometimes call me Uncle Marc. It’s not because I’m a blood relative or married into the family. It’s just this feeling that is bestowed to me by those kids. I see those kids, play games with them, give them piggyback rides. I’m Uncle Marc, and I don’t plan on correcting them anytime soon.
When Jessica Pyska enters the Cobb Elementary classroom, she is met with smiles from the students. They know that they will leave the indoor lessons and go outside where Jessica will teach in the Cobb School Garden, a garden that is cared for by Jessica, all the Cobb students as well as community members. It is a magical place.
Ms. Pyska teaches them about what makes good soil, “The Three Sisters,” pests and how to manage them appropriately, and a ton of other lessons. If you ask ANY student or staff member at Cobb Mountain Elementary, “Who is Jessica Pyska?” they will say this …
“She is our garden teacher.”
Jessica has used the word educator on her ballot instead of teacher precisely to make sure that no one is confused. That Mr. Kearney chooses to be is puzzling.
I love that I live in a county where people are nice to one another. I can knock on the door and borrow a cup of sugar from my neighbor. I can wave to the cars that drive past me while I run, and they will wave back. And I love that the politics in this county focus on the issues that face us, not on mudslinging.
Let’s keep it that way.
Stay safe and be good.
Marc Morita is a teacher. He lives in Kelseyville, California.
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- Written by: Angie Winchester
Jessica Pyska is my son’s garden teacher. The mailer smacked of desperation. It has no basis in fact and Jessica has already answered your meritless attack on more than one occasion. It assures the loss of the majority of votes from parents who have children at Cobb Elementary. I hope the rest of District 5 is watching too.
My family has lived in this community for 40 years and I was raised here. We understand that small communities like ours value our teachers, credentialed or not. Jessica Pyska IS a teacher. Did you know Cobb Elementary School Garden is one of the BEST education demonstration gardens in ALL of California because of Jessica?
Jessica has TAUGHT our children about not only gardening and the natural world around us, but how to be community, how to have respect for themselves and their neighbors, how to cook and, on occasion, she is a warm hug for anyone that needs one. My son has come home for the last four years and ALWAYS has something to tell me that "Miss Pyska" has taught him.
A teacher is someone who takes the time to educate others. A teacher is someone who puts time into our youth. What Bill Kearney has written shows how desperate he is. What bothered me the most is his how he attacked her for no reason. Maybe Bill Kearney should let Ms. Pyska teach him something about community, activism and tact.
Ms. Pyska has not once attacked Bill Kearney’s character and has run a respectful race. Maybe she is too busy continually taking care of every aspect of our community. Our kids don't need a supervisor who can't even acknowledge someone who puts time and energy into something she feels passionate about.
Do you know, Bill Kearney, that Jessica’s mother, Karen Jennings, started the Cobb School Garden? Did you know she wasn't credentialed but was one of the BEST teachers Cobb has ever had? Did you know that when she died tragically from cancer in Jessica's arms that Jessica stepped up to take the position? Maybe Mr. Kearney needs to do a little research before he lashes out.
As a community, we value Jessica and her position as our garden teacher. We have no respect for someone who makes desperate attacks on the respected members of our community.
Angie Winchester lives in Kelseyville, California.
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- Written by: Susan Cameron
What a gratifying project to lead! More than 40 volunteers throughout Lake County stepped up to write 1,800 postcards to approximately 2,200 recipients on her behalf. Seeing the number of volunteers who eagerly participated gives me confidence in Pyska’s countywide appeal.
Although the postcards were addressed to our senior residents, volunteers ranged in age from 38 to 91. And these volunteers reside from Middletown to Upper Lake, and from Clearlake to Kelseyville. And all areas in between: Cobb, Lakeport, Spring Valley, Hidden Valley Lake and Clearlake Oaks.
Excitement around her candidacy is well-deserved. Jessica’s energy, talent, commitment and intelligence are evident to all who meet her. Even if meetings are often limited to video events.
I urge all voters in Supervisorial District 5 who haven’t already familiarized themselves with Jessica Pyska, check out her website, www.JessicaPyskaForSupervisorD5.com. And then meet her at one of her events.
I expect you’ll agree that a vote for Jessica Pyska for supervisor is the best choice to create a future with promise.
Susan Cameron lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
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