After a recent campaign debate between Don Anderson and Doug Rhoades in Hidden Valley I was asked to share why I was helping in the race when I didn’t know any of the candidates personally, had a science background and am very non-political.

I know everyone has their own views on politics, but here’s mine for what its worth.

When my wife and I moved to Lake County we watched as the sheriff and district attorney made what seemed to be poor decisions in the Dinius and Perdock boating accident that resulted in a death.

It seemed neither could find a reason (or a valid reason why not) to bring to justice the person that caused the accident.

Speeding at 35 to 50-plus miles per hour in the black of a moonless night is the same as speeding during fog conditions or any other unsafe vehicle operation. There are many precedents in maritime law. So I asked the three district attorney candidates about this in the primary.

All three people in the race were very nice, intelligent and well spoken. You would invite them for dinner.

All had management experience and good educations in law and life. In fact, if I were to rank them on speaking qualities and maybe criminal law experience I would say 1. Jon Hopkins, 2. Doug Rhoades, 3. Don Anderson.

But after questioning them on the Dinius case it becomes very clear that only one has the clear judgment skills to see through the clutter of opinion and know that it was incumbent on the boat operator with the steerage way and higher speed to slow to a safe speed and navigate so damage would not be caused.

Even today, Hopkins and Rhoades cannot find a reason to charge Mr. Perdock or know he could have prevented the situation.

But yet, Anderson has no problem with clear logic and can explain his judgment for bringing an involuntary manslaughter charge for the speeding boater and operating under the influence against the sail boater.

The good judgment ability rating clearly goes to Don Anderson and a tie for very distant second goes to Hopkins and Rhoades.

It takes more than smooth speaking skills to make the right choices as district attorney; Mr. Hopkins demonstrated that more than once. I just don’t want us to make that mistake again with Rhoades.

Jim Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif.