Here is the Kelseyville I see: When I drive over the bridge and into town, I see a town that sits at the base of Mount Konocti. I sense a vibrant community with positive energy.

Over the past several months, I have been disheartened to hear and read that there are people who have shamed the people of Kelseyville, telling us we are not a caring town because of our name. If these people, most of whom are not Kelseyville residents, were truly involved in the everyday activities of this town, they would know first-hand the incredible caring community support that is central to Kelseyville. I am sure that other communities have this support, but this is who we are today.

I cannot help but wonder how people in the other Lake County communities, who are loyal to their hometowns, would feel if they were told by an outlier group that they need to change the name of their town. We have been told that we not only need to change the name of our town, but that a new name has been chosen for us without any input from the citizens of our town. This is just plain wrong.

In Kelseyville, I see volunteers in organizations, churches, schools and the business community who continually pull together to make this a caring town. I have seen the local 4Hers plant daffodils on Main Street and at Ely Stage Stop; I have seen Scouts post the American flags on the bridges and all along Main Street on patriotic holidays. Those flags were donated by Kelseyville organizations.

I see volunteers at the churches packing bags of groceries and handing them up twice a month. I see parents giving incredible extra hours to support the school activities. I see parents and teachers who coach our children and serve as leaders of youth organizations. I see the Kelseyville Lions’ Club serve breakfasts to benefit local organizations. I see the Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary Club donate to local charities and mentor high school youth.

The five successful major events that are presented annually on Main Street are a tribute to the energy and dedication of the many Kelseyville community volunteers. These events celebrate the people of our town and open their arms to visitors. These annual events, plus the summer street dances, bring thousands of people to our town. Tourism is alive and well here. There are no dark clouds here.

The name Kelseyville is a name that was assigned to us in 1882 by the US Post Office. Two years ago, I spent several hours reading and researching the minutes of the Lake County Board of Supervisors from 1880 to 1882. I could not find one mention of a motion or a statement of who made the decision to change the name of this town from Uncle Sam to Kelseyville.

In 1882, this area of Kelseyville was not a legal district. We did not have a designated district and supervisor until 1884. Our first supervisor was Lewis Henderson, a farmer who arrived with his family as a 5 year old boy in 1859. He served this community until 1908, when he was succeeded by John Sidney Kelsey.

Upon further research and in his obituary, I learned that John S. Kelsey arrived in this valley as a small child with his parents, William Henry and Annie Laurie Kelsey in 1872. After his father died in 1873, he was raised by his grandparents, Jack and Emma Jones Kelsey, who had arrived in 1873.

In all of the years of this community, there has never been a time, event or a mention of honoring Andrew Kelsey. It is a name that was assigned to us. We have never allowed the actions of this man to define who we are.

I believe the name came as an evolution of naming names. This was an historic practice in communities across this nation. In this town there are many streets that carry the name of early settlers. In the Kelseyville Riviera there are many streets that carry Indigenous names.

This community acknowledges the early history and importance of the Native Americans to this land. We hear their stories. Their stories are important. The pioneer families who came into this valley in the late 1800s to live and work this land also have their stories that are important. Let’s get together and share our stories.

The name Kelsey is NOT a derogatory or offensive name. The history with Andrew Kelsey is offensive and should be placed in its historical context. He was only here for two years, from his arrival in 1847 to his death in 1849. He was not here for years and years.

The name Konocti is not a name that our community has chosen. Konocti is the name of the mountain that stands tall in the center of Lake County.

Please vote NO on Measure U.

Marilyn Holdenried lives in Kelseyville, California.