Letters
- Details
- Written by: Judy Nylander
I have also sent emails to Gov. Newsom's office, the California Public Utilities Commission and PG&E about the proposed petition.
I realize that this is probably a pipe dream, but took this action after watching firsthand the desperation of people when the power was shut off, such as people fighting in the Walmart parking lot over the last bag of ice, parents trying to figure out how they can feed their children without any refrigeration for food, seniors being left in the dark and vulnerable and without any heat, not to mention the loss in wages for working families that depend on a weekly salary, and the small businesses and stores that lost thousands of dollars in merchandise only after a few days without power.
I also watched a video on the Lake County Sheriff’s site where they said that only 2 percent of California’s wildfires are caused by power lines and transformers.
So, now I ask myself, who is this really helping? No one that I can see.
Judy Nylander lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Tim Chiara
Help when you need it.
Let’s not forget, let’s not regret
The fact that we could have done
What we should have done
To help ourselves, by helping
Our firemen and women
To serve us better and even
Save our lives and properties.
Yes on Measure “N.”
Tim Chiara lives in Nice, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Sue Williams
As a senior I spoke to other seniors who struggled with the power outage. The real struggle was not having any way to communicate with the outside world. In many cases people did not have cell phone or landline use. Seniors were isolated and what if they needed help? I was alone and guarded my cell phone use as I was afraid I would lose battery power.
How could people access the PG&E website if they had no Internet or cell phone connection?
If PG&E had been maintaining the power lines all along fires could have been prevented. We just did not all of a sudden have issues with fire danger this has been an ongoing issue in California yes and made worse by climate change.
But let's get back to the people left on their own during the outage "event." Turning off the power in the dead of night was a mistake. I think given the light of day, people would have been better able to cope with a difficult situation.
When I did talk to PG&E after our area got an all clear they said the lines were being looked at before the power could be turned back on. I said but it is getting dark and the agent said we work in the dark which contradicts what was said by a PG&E spokesperson last night on the news when they said PG&E can only check the lines during the day.
Why did PG&E not tell us there might be difficulties getting our land line back? AT&T was impacted and even though I had power it was almost a whole day later before I had my land line cut on and the internet. Now I am struggling with my ADT service because it may take a week before my system can communicate with my phone. Meanwhile every half hour my phone rings and my system beeps. AADT said it may take a week to correct the system.
I think more attention needed to be taken by PG&E in terms of people not having access to updates and their communication devices especially seniors.
Sue Williams lives in Kelseyville, Calif.
- Details
- Written by: Leona Butts
Recently, I was very surprised to see fire trucks at my neighbor's house. If those trucks had not arrived so quickly, her house and other homes might have burned. It was a problem with her air conditioner – smoke was pouring out of it. These firemen knew just what to do and disaster was avoided.
But think what might have happened if the firefighters’ equipment had broken down on the way to her house. Or, if a door at the firehouse had failed and they were unable to get out their equipment.
Last week I attended a meeting regarding the firehouses and equipment that protect District 3 which includes Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Bartlett Springs and Spring Valley. I learned about how outdated much of the equipment and firehouses are.
It is not only fire protection but also their emergency medical response service we receive that is so important. They serve this community so well. When someone calls, they are there. Again, they need updated equipment and well trained people.
Remember, we are also in earthquake country. We need to not only update equipment, but we have firehouses that would not hold up during a quake. Action needs to be taken now on these issues, as well as insuring our firefighters are paid adequate salaries. We even have to take into consideration the higher cost of gasoline, which again makes the overall cost of operation increase.
We know it will cost a little more in taxes, but yes on Measure N is very low cost insurance, at $10.50 a month, for ourselves, our neighbors, and the beautiful Northshore community.
Please talk to your neighbors and friends about the reasons all in District 3 need to vote “yes” on Measure N on Nov. 5. Let's get the two thirds vote that will protect 100 percent of the Northshore.
Leona Butts lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.
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