Welcome back Kotter, err, Kevin. Glad to see Kevin’s still alive. It would have been a great loss to the local Democrat Party if its chairman were to remain wordless. I see you only intend to write the single piece for the opposition, but I’m sure we will all survive and hope to attract a better quality of scribbler from the other side for Page Two. I suppose when you set the bar too low, you have to take what is available.In a 500 or so word “Guest Column” May 28th, “Setting Sam Strait” on Page Two of the Triplicate, I am finding it difficult to understand his statement, “I disagree with almost everything Sam says,” yet I can find little in his entire column where he disagrees with me.Complains a lot, but disagreement is notably lacking. Must be the “wall” Kevin has built around himself to keep out any dissenting opinions. Never fear Kevin, the “Kevin Clones” I was referring to, will hopefully bring a better quality of scribbling to page two, and you may gracefully retire to the sidelines.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');I suppose it is a sad fact of life when the opposition has been so thoroughly trounced in an election year, it will be a while before courage is restored. In my May 14th opinion in The Triplicate there were plenty of topics to choose from for the opposition to opine; however, it appears Kevin has chosen to “decline to comment” and then proceeds to offer unsupported excuses for how “popular” he was with the locals. As yet, no other scribblers of the opposition have surfaced to engage.I would think if Kevin had a local following, he would consider it an honor to be referring to the notion he had sycophants and humbly accept his scribbler “clones” as a boost to his ego, not claiming outrage and wounded faux pride. As far as name calling, adding a descriptive honorific to an important person’s title, was historically handled by the recipient with pride whether disparaging or praising. Just a bit of information for you, Kevin.I am not sure where he fancied, I said “all” in an opinion piece over the last eight months, as I am aware of the fact no two people are alike. This makes it kind of tough on any attempt at an all-consuming “Big Government” to successfully be beneficial to all it governs. Fashioning a smaller and more limited government, the choice of this country’s founders, clearly was a better choice, rather than the bloated government we now have at most levels, Federal, State, County, and City.In fact, I think most people should be able to think for themselves and make choices which are beneficial to their respective standards of living is a “good thing.” States and local governments which don’t allow for such diversity tend to lean toward what has happened to California and as a byproduct here in Del Norte County. A shrinking population with the majority remaining dependent on “government services,” a faltering economy, and the exodus of many who are looking for greater opportunities is a disaster in the making. A local government, both at the City and County level, dependent on a Sacramento government which has squeezed the life out of much of the State’s residents and their livelihood will have great difficulty growing.It is for this reason I spend countless hours attending meetings to express my opinion and write on Page Two of The Triplicate, to make the best possible outcome for the largest number of people who are my friends and neighbors. Unless you remain behind Kevin’s “wall” things are happening in this State which do not bode well for its residents. A change in course is necessary for our future welfare. As change has come to the national government, so must it happen here in California and within Del Norte County. The simple fact of the matter, we can no longer pay for a government we cannot afford. Something must change in the near future before too many of the local residents are dependent on services at 880 Northcrest Drive (Department of Health and Human Services). Kevin, you may think all you want “if you are respectful, compassionate and patient” people will change for you. How about you change for the betterment of residents in Del Norte County, because what has been peddled in California for several decades now, is not working. The State of California and Del Norte County are in a state of decline which has become all too-evident. So much like the 70’s sitcom, Welcome Back Kotter, What goes around, comes around. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });