I am an 80 year old Northern Californian and a resident of Lake County for 35 years, over 30 of them in Kelseyville. I have found it to be a truly friendly country town.

In that time I had occasion to know and respect several of our Lake County supervisors. In the last several years I have been disappointed in the Fifth District supervisor, Jessica Pyska.

More than a year ago this situation of a possible town name change was known by the county supervisors. Why, at that time, didn't Pyska call for a town hall meeting to notify her constituents of the application submitted to the United States Board of Geographic Names?

I've been a business owner, raised children and grandchildren here, belong to a faith community, participated in and held office in numerous organizations. I'm no stranger here; but was very surprised and appalled that this went county wide and we have Measure U on our voter ballot.

History cannot be erased by changing a town name or knocking down a statue of some perceived wrong doer. We must learn from the errors of the past and move forward together in harmony.

The following is a verbatim quote from a poster announcing a gathering in Upper Lake in June 2024 regarding a Bloody Island Sunrise Ceremony and is attributed to Clayton Duncan, who is member of the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.

Oh Ma Rum Da-Hud De Ka

I know the messenger, flint man
I know the message — a strange people and all the destruction they will bring but we are also told to keep our faith
Do not be hateful, but forgiving
Do not be greedy, but share
Try and get along as best as you can revenge is only for the fools
We are here because of the blessings from our Creator and we are a part of the landscape, like the oak tree
It is time for change and to go back to balance
Harmony and respect for all creation is a respect for self
Yos A Me Wa Hud De Ka Bak Ko De

I have 2 questions: No. 1 and foremost, who perpetuates the trauma and suffering endured by the Pomo people during the 1800s?

No. 2: If measure U passes and goes on to the United States Board of Geographic Names and Kelseyville's town name is changed; who is going to do all the paperwork and pay all the fees to change all of our passports, driver licenses, deeds, trusts and estate plans, vehicle registrations, LLC’s, banking, insurances, business and household accounts, etc.? Would that fall into the job description of our District 5 supervisor, Jessica Pyska?

Catherine Quistgard lives in Kelseyville, California.