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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Like-minded citizens in Lake and Mendocino Counties are now circulating petitions promoting nothing less than an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to end “corporate personhood” and reestablish a government of, by and for the people.
Collaboration between Lake and Mendocino counties is not new but their simultaneous participation in an initiative process to change national politics is.
At the time the U.S. Constitution was adopted, state governments limited corporate influence through charters that defined their activities and lifespan.
Further, corporations were not allowed to make political contributions and lobbying was prohibited.
Fast forward to January 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 to uphold lower court precedents establishing the concept of “corporate personhood” and extending to corporations the same constitutional rights as “natural persons.”
Among other things, the Citizens United decision empowered corporations to challenge existing campaign spending limits.
Many Americans believe that it is time for “We the People …” to join together to demand a constitutional amendment to defend democracy from the undue influences of corporations and unrestrained political spending.
Toward that end, grassroots organizations across the nation are working to raise awareness and solidify citizen support through local activities such as petitions, resolutions and ballot measures.
Volunteers in Mendocino and Lake County just began gathering signatures to qualify advisory measures for the November ballot.
Both measures ask if voters will stand with the Move to Amend campaign and communities across the country to defend and distinguish their role in this democracy as distinct from the influence of legal institutions such as corporations by amending the United States Constitution to firmly establish that:
Only human beings, not corporations, are endowed with inalienable, constitutional rights; and
Money is not speech, and therefore fair regulation of political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting political speech.
Both advisory measures also direct state and federal representatives to enact resolutions and legislation to advance this effort.
Registered voters in both counties can help place these advisory measures on the November ballot by signing a local petition.
Petitions will be circulated in Lake County until mid-May; Mendocino petitions until early June.
If you have trouble finding a local MTA petition or would like to help gather signatures, please contact Margaret Koster in Mendocino County at 707-459-5970 or
Move to Amend is a nationwide grass roots campaign that already enjoys the support of hundreds of organizations and nearly 200,000 individuals.
Through its Web site and barnstorming tours, Move to Amend encourages folks to form local affiliates and return authority for our democracy to the voters.
Mendocino and Lake Counties are among 74 Move to Amend affiliates in 27 states.
For more information about local and national Move to Amend activities, visit www.movetoamend.org .
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five senior centers, five high schools, three high school programs and eight nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.
Kaj Ahlmann, president of the sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance, announced the selections on Wednesday.
This year’s Wine Auction, the 13th annual, will take place at Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.
More than 40 organizations, agencies, and programs submitted their funding requests to the Wine Alliance, demonstrating the number of worthy programs in Lake County seeking financial assistance.
The recipient organizations will use their grants for these projects:
The Arts: The fine arts education programs at the five Lake County high schools (Clear Lake High, Kelseyville High, Lower Lake High, Middletown High, and Upper Lake High) will share the funds in this category.
Health: the Safe House for Homeless Youths serves youth 15-18 years of age from throughout Lake County; Hospice Services of Lake County provides physical, emotional and spiritual end-of-life support; and the five senior centers (Highlands, Live Oak, Lucerne Alpine, Lakeport, and Middletown) will support their nutrition programs for delivered meals to homebound seniors.
Community: Funds in this category will be shared by the Clear Lake Performing Arts to expand its Youth Music Education program; the Friends of the Lake County Museum to present its docent outreach program to all schools; Team DUI to purchase outreach and educational materials; Konocti Junior Tennis League to continue its operation of the annual Lake County open junior tournament; Operation Tango Mike for shipping fees and package contents for troops deployed to combat zones; and Habitat for Humanity of Lake County for its home repair program for low income residents. An additional award will go to the three high schools with Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs (Upper Lake, Kelseyville, and Middletown) that develop leadership through agricultural education.
The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, wine grape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters founded in 2000, has contributed more than $896,700 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier growing region for fine wine grapes.
An all-volunteer board of directors and auction committee plan and direct the annual charity event.
The gala benefit features wine and food tastings, silent and live auctions, and dancing to the music of the LC Diamonds. Auctioneers will be Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green.
Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance website, www.winealliance.org , or by calling1-866-279-WINE to make reservations.
Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.
Major sponsors confirmed to date are Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery.
Honorary chair for the 2012 Wine Auction is Jerry Brassfield, proprietor of Brassfield Estate Winery. He will be assisted by committee co-chairs Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, and Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville.
Members of the Wine Alliance board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Bill Groody, and Wilda Shock, directors. Luchsinger chaired the beneficiaries committee and assisted the board members in reviewing the record number of applications.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested in early January for sexually assaulting a female acquaintance has entered a plea in the case.
Charles Peter Lamb, 31, on Monday entered a guilty plea to felony assault with intent to commit rape, said Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg.
A call to Lamb’s attorney, Barry Melton, was not returned.
Lamb allegedly assaulted a female acquaintance on Jan. 1, and was arrested the following morning by Lakeport Police, according to the initial police report.
He originally was charged with count of rape and one count of sodomy by force, and was held to answer to the charges following a January preliminary hearing, as Lake County News has reported.
Borg said assault with intent to commit rape is a violent felony, or a strike, and will require Lamb to serve prison time; he won’t be eligible to serve the sentence on parole. He also will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his term.
Lamb will have to register as a sex offender as well, Borg said.
The charge brings between two and six years upon conviction. However, when Lamb is sentenced on April 9 by Judge Andrew Blum he will face four years, as Borg said he and the defense agreed to a mid-term cap based on Lamb’s minimal prior criminal history.
The female victim was aware of the District Attorney’s Office’s negotiations with Lamb and was OK with the plea bargain, Borg said.
The matter has been referred to Lake County Probation, which will complete a presentence report that considers Lamb’s criminal and social history, Borg said. Blum will use that report as the basis of his decision.
Borg said that because the charge to which Lamb pleaded is a violent felony and requires sex offender registration, Lamb will have to serve his term in state prison, not the county jail, as some individuals convicted of felonies now are doing under correctional realignment.
Lamb has remained in the Lake County Jail since his arrest.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two local residents have been nominated for recognition for outstanding service.
Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook on Tuesday announced the naming of the two outstanding school employees as Lake County’s nominees to the California 2012 Classified School Employees of the Year.
The nominees are Mary Ann Mathews for para-educator and instructional assistance and Bernardo Santana Garcia for maintenance, operations and facilities.
Mathews is an instructional aide/special education secretary for Upper Lake High Union School District, where she has worked for more than 10 years.
Superintendent Pat Iaccino writes, “…there are times when you come across one of those rare individuals who can wear a number of hats, and wear them with style. She does all of this with a tremendous professionalism and a compassion and love for students that cannot be matched.”
“Mary Ann isn’t just involved, she gets other people to be involved,” said teacher and Athletic Director Sandy Coatney.
According to Director of Alternative Education Don Boyd, “Mary Ann’s leadership and commitment are second to none. She is definitely a ‘walk the walker’ and not a 'talker.’”
Garcia is a custodian II/groundskeeper for the Konocti Unified School District, where he has worked for more than 14 years.
East Lake Elementary Principal Debi Malley writes, “Bernardo leads by example in responsibility to his work and respect of others.”
“Bernardo is a wonderful example of excellent leadership qualities within his community,” said office assistant Mary Massingill.
“Bernardo’s involvement in the school community extends much farther than simply being a custodian,” wrote teacher Jon Mitchem. “He is a valuable member of our staff. It is because of this attitude and care for not only his job, but also the well being of the staff and students that I recommend Bernardo for Classified Employee of the Year.”
Each of these state nominees will now undergo a state review process, Holbrook reported.
The candidate evaluation is organized in four themes: work performance, school/community involvement, leadership and commitment, and service above and beyond.
State awardees will be announced in April.
May 20-26 is designated as 2012 Classified Employee Week. State awardees will be formally honored at a luncheon schedule for Thursday, May 24, in Sacramento.
Mathews and Garcia were honored, along with other district classified employees of the year and district teachers of the year, at the Lake County Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Education Award Dinner held last October.
Other classified employees who received recognition for excellence at that time were Luis Martinez, head custodian, Terrace Middle School, Lakeport Unified School District; Teri Langford, middle school/high school attendance clerk, Middletown Unified School District; and Wesley “Buddy” Thomas, maintenance technician, Upper Lake High Union School District.