Letters
- Details
- Written by: Eileen McSorley
I admire the challengers to our incumbents, because they personify democracy. Even if I choose an incumbent, I am grateful for the challenger for providing a choice. It shows courage and conviction.
Sometimes incumbents deserve confirmation, and sometimes they don't. I believe term limits are good for our local, state and national elections in order to deter complacency and corruption in government.
Our congressman is up for his umpteenth term. I voted for one of his challengers, a young man with the guts to take on the establishment.
Our local judicial race is also enhanced by a gutsy lady lawyer with decades of trial and family law experience that the incumbent lacks. She deserved my vote.
It's easy to look at a ballot and vote for the incumbent, but that is not necessarily the best choice. I applaud all of the candidates who have chosen to challenge incumbency. It's gutsy. It's American. It's Democracy in action.
Good luck to you all, and thanks for running.
Eileen McSorley lives in Nice, California.
- Details
- Written by: Maile Field
Jessica Pyska, the incumbent, has become very knowledgeable and respected throughout the state for her tireless efforts to bring grant money, innovative solutions, networking opportunities and improvements of many kinds to the lives of residents county-wide.
When I talk to her she always has a new story about something she learned to solve some local problem ... and she always seems to be meeting with outside people so that she can help us.
She applies logic and reason backed by heart-felt concern for the well-being of her community.
Her opponent, Boone Bridges, appears to be a good-hearted individual and probably shares those sentiments. But he clearly lacks understanding of the job of supervisor; how government functions; what he needs to do to help.
Although I'd like to find a job for him to direct his admirable goodwill, he is simply not prepared for the complicated tasks Jessica not only comprehends but embraces.
Bridges keeps talking about how he will streamline the permitting process but has not named which minimum health and safety standard or state regulation he would do away with. This scares me. He clearly has no respect for the county infrastructure the supervisor position would oversee.
I would like to believe this is simply lack of education or comprehension but as responsible voters I feel we must view this as an indication he is unfit for the job. He is simply unqualified for the position.
Bridges, for lack of any other substantive topic, has chosen to make "Keep the name of Kelseyville" the pillar of his campaign platform.
Although I agree it seems silly and divisive to change the name, it is not appropriate for him to embrace an issue that is going to be made at a federal level.
Yes, the Board of Supervisors has been asked to weigh in on the topic but a) this will likely be done before the newly elected District 5 supervisor is sworn in and b) if he were on the board, he would probably be outvoted on this issue. Thus the name change issue is irrelevant to the campaign.
Please do not turn down the opportunity to keep Jessica Pyska working for us.
Maile Field lives in Kelseyville, California.
- Details
- Written by: VAL NIXON
Here are the facts as we know them right now:
Voting for Boone Bridges will not save the name of Kelseyville, no matter how much he wants you to believe it.
The name change will be decided by the Board on Geographic Names, or BGN, a federal body, with input from its California counterpart. It is not an issue that the Lake County Board of Supervisors will decide. In fact, the Board of Supervisors will play a very limited or possibly no role in this decision.
The Board of Supervisors will be one of several organizations that the BGN asks to provide a recommendation on the name change. The process supervisors will use will be discussed at their March 12 meeting. Public comment will be heard. They may decline the request from the BGN to provide a recommendation, which has happened in previous similar name change situations. Alternatively, they could provide a recommendation to either change the name or not change it. All options are available to them.
This matter will be decided before the new Board of Supervisors is seated in January 2025. So current board members will be the ones providing input to the BGN. Candidates elected in 2024 will not be part of the recommendation sent to the BGN.
Bottom line: It is not an issue that the Lake County Board of Supervisors will decide.
Incumbent Supervisor Jessica Pyska has stated her position and has never wavered from it. She is the leader for all the residents in Lake County and will not weigh in on either side. “This decision needs to come out of the arguments of the people.” She continues to encourage everyone to provide their input. “Your voices need to be heard.”
You can see her thoughtful explanation in a video clip from the District 5 candidate forum held on Jan. 10, 2023: https://supervisorjessicapyska.com/videos.
I agree with her, true leaders do not make decisions that divide their community, pitting one side against the other. They represent the whole community, listening to all voices and encouraging dialogue. They will be there every step of the way — and ready to build back the community when ultimately a difficult decision is reached.
Jessica Pyska has supporters across the spectrum on this issue. We support her because we know she loves this community too much to ever consider dividing it — especially to win an election. We trust her to do what’s right for the community every single day, no matter how difficult.
Vote to re-elect Jessica Pyska, a true leader.
Val Nixon lives in Kelseyville, California.
- Details
- Written by: Kirk G. Andrus, MD
Don’t know if you’ve heard, but “woke” is in town.
He’s here to save us, says Mr. Boone
From the evils of “woke” and not a moment too soon.
Nasty ole “woke,” it’s Bridges’ decision
One issue alone is his great mission.
The issue is the name Kelsey — followed by — ville.
However you stand, you should agree
It’s the will of the people, it’s called Democracy.
Peddling fear and throwing around labels
Please Boone, leave this nonsense to the cables.
Jessica Pyska’s refusal to bend
Takes courage I believe,
Yet it seems to offend.
They seem to have forgotten, the ones complaining
She represents us all, so she’s abstaining.
However you stand, it’s plain to see
She is the brave in this land of the FREE.
We throw around labels to scare and stoke fear
Please stick to the issue, don’t need labels here …
and that’s no “woke.”
Kirk G. Andrus, MD, lives in Kelseyville, California.
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