During my short term as the chair of the Lake County Democratic Club, I thought that bringing people together, giving them informed information on candidates and issues was what we stood for.  

I had to go over my vice chair’s head (this position assigns speakers) to bring in speakers who would speak on yes on Measure N and the rest of the candidates for the May meeting.  

I thought that this was the Democratic thing to do, give the members and the public the opportunity to hear the pro and cons. I guess I was wrong.

Becky Curry, the Lake County Democratic Central Committee chair, held a meeting on April 3. The members and the public were given notice that a vote for candidates and issues would be held. A no endorsement on No for Measure N passed.

The agenda for the Lake County Democratic Club April 12 meeting was sent out. No notice of a vote was included in this agenda nor did the newspaper insert of the meeting mention a vote taking place. The reason for not scheduling a vote at this meeting was that not all the candidates or all sides of the issues had yet been heard.

At the April 12 meeting of the Lake County Democratic Club, Becky Curry came prepared with the by-laws, membership forms, voter registration forms and an up-to-date roster (since recently several new members joined). New members also joined that day.

During the meeting, a motion was made for an emergency amendment to the agenda to allow for a vote on candidates and issues to be held; of course, it passed.

Subsequently, a vote was held for No on Measure N. The vote passed.

This is what happens when the deck is stacked. As a result, 90 members who were not notified in advance that a vote was to be held were not given the opportunity to vote or give their input.

I feel that this action was a push to support no on Measure N, since it failed at the Lake County Democratic Central Committee meeting. I feel these actions do not represent democracy.

I have resigned from the Lake County Democratic Club and the Lake County Democratic Central Committee effective April 12, 2014.

I want to thank all the good people of Lake County for their past support. I wish the few long-term members who are left in the club the best of luck.

Johnnie Flato lives in Lake County, Calif.