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Lakeport Police logs: Saturday, Jan. 10
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
00:00 EXTRA PATROL 2601100001
Occurred at Lake County Law Library on 3D....
ELECTION 2016: District 4 race brings in under $30,000 so far; campaign marked by allegations
LAKEPORT, Calif. – While the race for the District 4 supervisorial seat is one of the most hotly contested of this year so far, a review of the latest campaign financial filings shows that the amount of money raised puts it in the middle of the pack when compared to other races.
The five-person race for the District 4 seat includes Ted Mandrones, a former Lakeport City Council member and president of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Board; Finley farmer Phil Murphy; local businessman Ron Rose; Lakeport City Councilman Martin Scheel; and Lakeport Unified School District Board member Tina Scott.
The race culminates in the June 7 presidential primary.
Candidates in all of the races were required to file their latest pre-election financial reports – covering the period from April 24 through May 21 – by May 26, the Registrar of Voters Office reported.
Lake County News obtained the documents earlier this week. Based on an analysis of the documents, it's estimated that, in the race so far, just under $30,000 has been raised, less than half of that raised by the four candidates in the District 1 supervisorial race, as Lake County News has reported.
Because one of the candidates does not have a firm estimate of funds, that $30,000 estimate could be high by several hundred dollars.
The independent calculation does not directly mirror the final numbers given in the campaign documents, which were found to include minor accounting discrepancies.
To date, the candidate with the largest war chest is Scott, whose total is $12,699. Mandrones has raised $9,603.09, with Scheel raising $6,620, based on the filings.
Murphy and Rose filed paperwork declaring that they will raise less than $2,000 each.
Contacted for more detail, Murphy said he has taken no campaign contributions. “I've taken no money from anyone, and sent back the checks people mailed me.”
He said he has “well under $1,000” for his campaign. Of that, $511 went to pay for the ballot statement, and he offset the overall filing fees by getting hundreds of signatures.
Murphy said he put about $35 total into campaign materials – paint, brushes and Web site domain name – and all of his campaign signs are made from debris that he and his girlfriend picked up from the roadside, which he suggested makes him the most frugal and environmentally minded candidate.
Rose told Lake County News that he has only taken one campaign contribution of $100 and is covering the rest of the expenses himself.
An in-depth analysis of the financials showed that most of Scott's contributions came from her husband, Doug.
Overall, Doug Scott has contributed $11,000 to his wife's campaign, making him the largest single contributor of any of the supervisorial races so far this year.
Scott took in another $1,500 from Supervisor Anthony Farrington, who currently holds the District 4 seat but has chosen not to seek reelection, and $100 from Bob Bridges, a retired county counsel. She also received an additional $99 in non itemized cash contributions.
When asked about the contributions from her husband, Scott said, “I have not done any fundraisers because of the fact that I'm planning on giving 20 percent of my income back to nonprofits.”
She says she believes it's necessary for her family to donate the money for the race.
Asked how she would decide which organizations she would donate to if elected, Scott said she hasn't yet figured that out, but that the emphasis would be on organizations that offer support to youth and seniors.
Farrington is the second-largest contributor in the race for the District 4 seat. In addition to the funds his election committee gave Scott, he is the largest contributor to the Mandrones campaign, which received $2,000 from him, bringing Farrington's total contributions to $3,500.
Scheel's top contributor is the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, based in Los Angeles, which gave him $750, with a number of smaller donations coming from local business owners.
Loans also are playing a role in the campaign financing for District 4, with Mandrones loaning himself $3,500 and Scheel loaning his campaign $2,900. Murphy, Rose and Scott have not reported making loans to their campaigns.
Contributions go beyond finances
Beyond the purely monetary aspects of the District 4 race, there have been contributions of another sort, in the form of allegations brought by Farrington against Scheel and by Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown against Mandrones.
Farrington has led the attack on Scheel, raising issue with a sunken crane that had belonged to Scheel and which went into the lake in the Clearlake area in November 2010 during a contracting job, as Lake County News has reported.
Scheel was unable to remove the crane on his own, and his business closed not long afterward. He signed over the crane to the county, which paid $59,000 to remove it. The county also scrapped it, recovering $4,000, according to Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown.
Both Scheel and Brown have maintained that Scheel had asked the county for a bill repeatedly but hadn't received one. In April Scheel and the county reached a formal payment agreement, which is expected to come to the Board of Supervisors later this month, Brown said.
After the crane went into the lake, Farrington did not initially show any animosity toward Scheel, to whose 2012 Lakeport City Council campaign Farrington donated $100.
Scheel said the two men had been friendly and had tried to work out an arrangement over the thorny issue of the South Main Street corridor, which the city of Lakeport eventually wants to annex. County government has been resistant since it's the most lucrative commercial area for sales tax in the county, and Farrington's interactions with the city of Lakeport had become increasingly sour on the topic.
Scheel said he and Farrington were still talking and socializing up until late last year, shortly before Scheel announced his plans to run in December. They had sat down together over beers and discussed the upcoming election, with Scheel telling Farrington he was thinking of running, but Farrington not committing either way.
Scheel said Farrington didn't raise any issues with his potential candidacy at that point, so he has no idea what led to Farrington attacking him weeks later, although he said it's possible it may have gone back to the annexation issue.
Farrington subsequently circulated to the media a dossier that included Lake County News' original reporting on the sunken crane and records of several thousand dollars in Internal Revenue Service liens, which Scheel said he has been paying down for years, and which is less than the total filed with the county.
The dossier also included a 2009 drunk driving arrest for Scheel in Mendocino County and a 1990 case in which he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor grand theft in Sacramento County.
Scheel explained that, while a 21-year-old college student, he worked for the state Controller's Office in planning and facilities management. Two of his co-workers, who did computer and networking for the agency, submitted their timecards in such a way that it bypassed the normal payroll process and the three received paychecks at a time when other state employees were only getting IOUs.
It was a stupid thing to do, Scheel said, adding that they thought they were “rebels,” since state legislators themselves were still getting paid.
He doesn't recall how much he was paid, but said it was over $400, thus the misdemeanor grand theft charge. Scheel said he pleaded no contest and paid everything back.
He added that none of his past has been a secret, and he had told the story to friends over the years.
Farrington told Lake County News that he is endorsing both Mandrones and Scott, whose signs are featured on his Lakeport law office.
Brown has maintained his support of Scheel and also has waded into the fray in response to a campaign flier circulated by Mandrones that focused on the crane issue and which Brown said took statements he made at a 2011 board meeting about the crane out of context.
In a letter to Lake County News (“Brown: Lyin' Ted,” May 24, www.bit.ly/1Pt08oq ), Brown faulted Mandrones' work at the county's Valley fire donations center and as manager of the former Piedmont Lumber store in Lakeport. The company closed down and the Lakeport store was purchased by Mendo Mill.
Brown also questioned why Mandrones continues to include in his campaign team an individual facing prosecution for forcible rape.
Brown was referring to Rick Hamilton, a local sign business owner who sits on the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Board with Mandrones.
Hamilton was arrested in October for attempted rape, stalking and sexual battery, as Lake County News has reported: www.bit.ly/1GZNUKv . Charges against him now also include forcible rape. He was to have gone to preliminary hearing in the middle of May, but the hearing has been held over to July 7.
Court records show Hamilton also previously stood trial for rape in Sacramento, but two mistrials resulted in the case being dropped.
Mandrones has confirmed to Lake County News that Hamilton is a part of his campaign; Hamilton has claimed to be managing Mandrones' campaign on social media.
Endorsements for the candidates
Despite Farrington's attack on Scheel, Scheel has racked up a list of endorsements from Brown; Congressman Mike Thompson; Assemblyman Bill Dodd; Supervisor Jim Comstock; Tom Engstrom, Lakeport's retired police chief and a former city councilman; and Lakeport City Councilwoman Stacey Mattina; and the Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association.
Mandrones' endorsers include Farrington, District Attorney Don Anderson; former Lakeport City Councilman Buzz Bruns and his wife, Jan; and a host of local business people, including Christian Ahlmann, Bill Brunetti, Bill Kearney, Tom Lincoln, John Tanti and Rick White, and former owners of Piedmont Lumber, Bill and Vicky Myer.
Scott counts Farrington and Lake County Assessor-Record Richard Ford as her key endorsers to date.
In the case of Murphy, he told Lake County News, “I have no endorsements, in the remote chance that I make the runoffs I know I can get some good ones but didn't want people to stick their necks out for me with such long odds.”
Another development for Murphy was the District Attorney's Office's decision last week to drop a marijuana case against him, as Lake County News has reported.
Authorities said Murphy had too much marijuana at his farm for personal use, but Murphy said it wasn't for his own use but for several people with legal medical recommendations. District Attorney Don Anderson said the case was dropped because he didn't think a jury would arrive at a guilty verdict.
Murphy said he hoped that the case being dropped would change some people's' minds about him and give him a boost in the election.
Rose told Lake County News that he has received no endorsements but hasn't pursued any.
As far as outreach to voters, Rose faulted the Lake County Chamber of Commerce for not sending him a questionnaire that had been sent to other candidates, with their responses published in the local newspaper. He said chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton lives right down the street from him but made no attempt to contact him directly.
Rose said he believes the oversight is more a matter of Mandrones being the chamber board president.
For more information on the candidates, visit the following Web sites:
– Ted Mandrones: http://www.tedmandrones.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/Ted-Mandrones-1533848880241145/ ;
– Philip Murphy: http://murphy4district4.com/?tag=philip-murphy ;
– Ron Rose: While he has no Web site or email address, Rose invites people who want more information about his campaign to contact him directly at 707-349-6578, or call Kathleen Miller, who is assisting him on his campaign, at 707-841-7988.
– Martin Scheel: http://scheelfordistrict4supervisor.com/ , https://www.facebook.com/scheelforsupervisor/?fref=ts .
– Tina Scott: http://www.tina-scott-for-district-4-supervisor.com/home.html , https://www.facebook.com/Tina-Scott-for-District-4-Supervisor-Lake-County-2016-326875007436287/?fref=ts .
The next financial statement is due in August, according to the Registrar of Voters Office.
A summary of the candidates' finances to date is below.
TED MANDRONES
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $9,603.09
Total contributions received for reporting period: $1,233.10
Monetary contributions, year to date: $5,319.99
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $450
Loans received, year to date: $3,500 (to self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $783.10
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $783.10
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $9,126.32
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $1,390.81
Payments made, year to date: $7,875.73
Payments made for reporting period: $140.22
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $634.48
Cash receipts: $450
Cash payments: $140.22
Ending cash balance: $944.25
Outstanding debts: $4,759.59
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. Committee to Elect Anthony Farrington, Kelseyville, $2,000
2. William and Victoria Myer, Kelseyville, retired, Piedmont Lumber Co., $1,120
3. Ruby Pritchard, retired, Vancouver, Wash., $1,000
4. (Tie for amount) Robert Schall, Lakeport, Tri Star Properties, $250; Scott Knickmeyer, president, Lake County Association of Realtors, Lakeport, $250
Top three expenses
1. Mailrite, Sacramento, brochure and postcard mail runs, $1,730.92
2. Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, Lakeport, voter pamphlet statement and filing fees, $1,357.11
3. Econoline Signs, print ads, $993.98
PHILIP MURPHY
Filed Form 470 stating less than $2,000 received. Murphy estimated to Lake County News that he has received well under $1,000, $511 of which went to the ballot statement. He said he put $35 total into campaign materials and got several hundred signatures to offset the filing costs.
RON ROSE
Filed Form 470 stating less than $2,000 received. Rose reported to Lake County News that he has received one check for $100 but has sought no other donations. He said expenditures for his campaign signs and associated costs have come out of his own pocket.
MARTIN SCHEEL
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $6,620
Total contributions received for reporting period: $900
Monetary contributions, year to date: $3,720
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $900
Loans received, year to date: $2,900 (to self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $8,750.77
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $1,243.56
Payments made, year to date: $5,542.17
Payments made for reporting period: $2,144.06
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $2,271.89
Cash receipts: $900
Cash payments: $2,144.06
Ending cash balance: $1,027.83
Outstanding debts: $6,108.60
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. California Real Estate Political Action Committee, Los Angeles, $750
2. Alma Guillerno Lepe, Lakeport, owner/manager, Rancho de la Fuente, $320
3. (Tie for amount) Hansen Grocery Inc., Lakeport, $300; Donna Goff, Nipomo, retired, $300
4. (Tie for amount) John Tanti, Lakeport, property manager, AAA Boat and Mini Storage, $250; Kelly Butcher, Lakeport, owner/manager, Lake County Property Management, $250; Paul Onorato, Napa, senior staff member for Congressman Mike Thompson, $250; Laura Santarelli, Lakeport, real estate broker, ReMax Lake County Realty, $250
Top three expenses
1. Hareline Graphics, West Sacramento, information technology costs, $2,250
2. Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, Lakeport, campaign filing and research, $1,198.88
3. Accounting Champion, Lakeport, accounting services, $1,100
TINA SCOTT
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $12,699
Total contributions received for reporting period: $1,500
Monetary contributions, year to date: $12,699
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $1,500
Loans received, year to date: $0
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $11,898.25
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $1,603.56
Payments made, year to date: $11,898.25
Payments made for reporting period: $1,603.56
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $805.31
Cash receipts: $1,500
Cash payments: $0
Ending cash balance: $701.66
Outstanding debts: $0
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
(Scott's filings include only three cash contributors)
1. Douglas Scott, Lakeport, electrical engineer, $11,000
2. Committee to Elect Anthony Farrington, Kelseyville $1,500
3. Robert Bridges, Lakeport, retired county counsel, $100
Top three expenses
1. Gotprint.com, Burbank, print ads, $4,889.84
2. Vista Print, Lexington, Mass., campaign paraphernalia/etc., $2,330.53
3. Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport, voter registration info, $1,458.95
Email Elizabeth Larson at
ELECTION 2016: Nearly $65,000 raised so far in District 1 supervisorial race
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The race for the District 1 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors has so far raised more money than other local contests this spring, according to new financial filings submitted to the Lake County Registrar of Voters.
Voris Brumfield, Monica Rosenthal, James Ryan and Jose “Moke” Simon III are seeking this year to succeed retiring Supervisor Jim Comstock.
The first leg of the race culminates in the presidential primary on June 7.
The latest pre-election financial reports, which covered April 24 through May 21, were due May 26. The next reports will not be due until after the primary in August, the Registrar of Voters Office reported.
A Lake County News analysis of the documents concluded that approximately $64,636.45 has been raised in the District 1 race so far.
That tally is the result of an independent calculation and does not directly mirror the final numbers given in the campaign documents, which were found to include some minor discrepancies.
That overall total for the District 1 race is nearly twice what has been raised in the District 4 race and more than the District 4 and 5 races combined.
Rosenthal, a businesswoman who is a member of the county's wine industry and a former county planning commissioner, has raised the most money in the race so far.
Having announced her candidacy in February 2015, she got a head start on fundraising, bringing in $16,383 by the end of last year.
As of May 21 she had raised another $13,068, for a total of $29,451.
Among her contributors are well-known North Coast winemaker Andy Beckstoffer, who gave her campaign $5,000 last year.
Brumfield, who served on the board in the 1980s and more recently has been a lay minister with the Methodist Church, also entered the race in the spring of 2015.
She raised $1,100 by the end of last year, with $1,000 of that total a loan to herself. That $1,100, combined with the rest of her fundraising to date, totals $15,271.45, based on the latest filings.
Her largest contributor to date is Middletown rancher Michael Browning, who gave her $2,000, contributing the same amount to Simon's campaign.
Simon, the longtime tribal chair of Middletown Rancheria – which owns Twin Pine Casino – has so far raised $13,293.
A large part of his contribution base has come from gaming-related interests, including the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, attorney Rob Rosette of Arizona – an attorney who has worked with local tribes on their gaming projects – and the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians.
James Ryan, a longtime Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy and a Hidden Valley Lake resident, has raised $6,621 to date, based on the filings.
Ryan's larger contributors include family members and law enforcement colleagues, as well as the North Bay Labor Council AFL-CIO.
Loans have played a large part in the campaign funding so far, the filings showed.
Brumfield has loaned herself $6,050. Rosenthal has loaned her campaign $4,000, and Ryan's wife has loaned his campaign $2,400. Simon has no loans in his total.
Each of the candidates also has landed key endorsements.
Brumfield early on landed the nod from Comstock, who intends to retire after the end of his second term. She said she has not sought out other endorsements.
Rosenthal has received endorsements from Congressman Mike Thompson, Assemblyman Bill Dodd, State Board of Equalization Chair Fiona Ma, the Lake County Farm Bureau, the North Bay Association of Realtors, Clearlake City Councilman Bruno Sabatier and Board of Supervisors Chair Rob Brown.
Key endorsements for Ryan include the Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association and the Peace Officers Research Association of California, of which he is secretary.
Simon said he's been endorsed by the United Pomo Nations Council and Evolve California. In April he also received the National Indian Gaming Association's Wendell Chino Humanitarian Award for his leadership during the Valley fire, as Lake County News has reported.
For more on each of the candidates visit the following sites:
– Voris Brumfield: http://votevoris.us/ ;
– Monica Rosenthal: http://monicaforsupervisor.com/ ;
– Jim Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/Jim-Ryan-for-Supervisor-952531924832369/ ;
– Moke Simon: http://www.vote4moke.com/campaign-news.html .
VORIS BRUMFIELD
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $15,271.45
Total contributions received for reporting period: $1,749
Monetary contributions, year to date: $9,221.45
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $1,749
Loans received, campaign to date: $6,050 (to self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $11,504.99
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $3,593.66
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $5,611.12
Cash receipts: $1,749
Cash payments: $3,593.66
Ending cash balance: $3,766.46
Outstanding debts: $6,050 (loans to self)
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. Michael Browning, Middletown, $2,000
2. Stanley Reed, Santa Rosa, $1,001
3. (Tie in amount) Barbara Thornton, Middletown, $1,000; GBP, A Limited Partnership, Sacramento, $1,000; and Bob Pestoni, Rutherford, $1,000
Top three expenses
None listed.
MONICA ROSENTHAL
Contributions received
Total contributions for campaign overall, 2015 and 2016: $29,451
Total contributions received for reporting period: $1,300
Total contributions received, year to date: $13,068.00
Monetary contributions, year to date: $12,213
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $1,300
Loans received, campaign to date: $4,000 (to self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $855
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $13,106.21
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $8,032.11
Payments made, year to date: $17,570.61
Payments made for reporting period: $5,319.40
Accrued expenses (unpaid bills): $2,712.71
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $10,271.76
Cash receipts: $1,300
Cash payments: $5,319.40
Ending cash balance: $6,252.36
Outstanding debts: $6,712.71
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. Andrew Beckstoffer, Rutherford, $5,000
2. R.S. Devoto, Kelseyville, $2,000
3. (Tie for amount) Leon Ballew, Middletown, $1,000; Max Schlienger, Ukiah, $1,000
4. Ladonn Morgan, Hidden Valley Lake, $941
Top three expenses
1. Chris Jones Consulting, Newcastle, $10,554.49
2. Clelia Baur, campaign paraphernalia/misc., Kelseyville, $3,595.73
3. Accounting Champion, Lakeport, $2,350
JAMES RYAN
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $6,621
Total contributions received for reporting period: $2,525
Monetary contributions, year to date: $4,130
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $1,300
Loans received, year to date: $2,400 (from wife, Lesley Ryan)
Loans received for reporting period: $1,200
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $91
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $25
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $6,038
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $2,117
Payments made, year to date: $5,947
Payments made for reporting period: $2,092
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $175
Cash receipts: $2,500
Cash payments: $2,092
Ending cash balance: $583
Outstanding debts: $2,400
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. Lesley Ryan, Hidden Valley Lake, $1,200
2. Joy Ryan, Hidden Valley Lake, $1,000
3. (Tie in amount) Margaret M. Byrne, Sebastopol, $500; North Bay Labor Council AFL-CIO, Santa Rosa, $500; Patrick Torres Jr., Sebastopol, $500
Top three expenses
1. VistaPrint, Waltham, Mass., $2,993
2. Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport (filing fee and candidates' statement), $1,053
3. Dirt Cheap Signs, Lago Vista, Texas, $768
JOSE 'MOKE' SIMON III
Contributions received
Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $13,293
Total contributions received for reporting period: $7,250
Monetary contributions, year to date: $13,250
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $7,250
Loans received, year to date: $0
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $43
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Expenditures made
Total expenditures made, year to date: $7,819.77
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $4,708.80
Payments made, year to date: $7,819.77
Payments made for reporting period: $4,708.80
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0
Current cash statement
Beginning cash balance: $2,889.03
Cash receipts: $7,250
Cash payments: $4,708.50
Ending cash balance: $5,730.67
Outstanding debts: $0
Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date
1. California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Sacramento, $5,000
2. Robert Rosette, Chandler, Ariz., $2,500
3. (Tie in amount): Michael Browning, Middletown, $2,000; and Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, Santa Ynez, Calif., $2,000.
4. New Albion Surveys (John M. Webb), St. Helena, $1,000
Top three expenses
1. Bennett Solutions, Middletown, $2,686.32
2. Gotprint.com, Burbank, $2,324.12
3. Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, Lakeport, candidate statements fees, $735.09
Email Elizabeth Larson at
McGuire and Dodd to host June 23 town hall on Valley fire recovery and rebuilding efforts
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sen. Mike McGuire, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and Lake County officials are partnering to host an informative and comprehensive update from both state and local leaders on the massive recovery and rebuilding process happening in South Lake County in the wake of the Valley fire.
“The Lake County Strong Town Hall: A Community Update on Valley Fire Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road.
It will be preceded by a free hot dog barbecue at 5:30 p.m.
“After the devastating Valley fire hit Lake County, an unprecedented disaster response effort was launched by government and nonprofit partners focused on providing residents with the resources they need to begin to rebuild their lives,” Sen. McGuire said. “As we approach the one year anniversary of this unprecedented disaster, we want to bring all of the responsible agencies back together to provide the community an update on all issues related to the recovery and rebuilding efforts.”
The town hall will be an opportunity for all residents to participate in an important conversation and hear updates from Sen. McGuire, Assemblyman Dodd, the California Office of Emergency Services, CalRecycle (the agency charged with cleanup efforts) and Cal Fire.
There also will be reports from the county of Lake, including Board of Supervisors Chairman Rob Brown, Sheriff Brian Martin, the Lake County Planning and Building Department, Environmental Health and more.
Also providing updates will be representatives from local non-profit organizations to discuss donation distribution since the Valley fire.
“While we have made incredible progress since the fire, all 1,300 residential lots have been cleared and homes are starting to be rebuilt and the vast majority of commercial properties have been cleaned up, we know there is a ton of work ahead of us,” McGuire said. “Our June 23 town hall will focus on the progress we have made and look ahead to how we must continue to work together to get the job done to make Lake County stronger than ever.”
In total, the deadly Valley Fire scorched 76,000 acres, caused $1.2 billion in damage, destroyed 1,330 homes and nearly 1,900 businesses and agricultural buildings were lost, 20,000 people were evacuated in a matter of hours, and the fire cost four Lake County residents their lives.
REGIONAL: Napa County Election Division, Justice Department reach agreement to protect Spanish-speaking voters
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Tuesday the United States Department of Justice Voting Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division and Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur signed a memorandum of agreement to improve access to the electoral process for Spanish-speaking citizens who need language assistance to cast an effective ballot.
The agreement is meant to ensure compliance with provisions of the Voting Rights Act that require the county to provide bilingual election materials and information in Spanish to voters.
The memorandum of agreement was negotiated during the past five weeks and included two meetings with staff from the Voting Rights Section, one in Napa and the other in Washington DC.
Two main targets of the agreement are to provide bilingual election materials in a combined document to all voters and to have bilingual poll workers at all polling places and vote by mail assistance centers for the Nov 8 Presidential General Election and all future elections.
“Napa County has fully cooperated with the DOJ since we became a dual language county under Section 203 of Voting Rights Act in October 2011. We work hard to ensure all voters have access to election materials that they can understand,” said Tuteur. “The Registrar of Voters with the full support of the Board of Supervisors is committed to continuous improvement in outreach to the Spanish language community for all future elections.”
The Voting Rights Act requires that jurisdictions determined by the Census Bureau to have a substantial population of minority-language citizens with limited English proficiency, such as Napa County, provide voting materials and assistance in the minority language as well as in English.
“The right to vote forms the foundation of our democracy, and language barriers should never keep eligible voters from accessing that right,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement ensures that Napa County’s eligible Spanish-speaking voters can access the election process and participate in our democracy by casting effective ballots. The Justice Department commends Napa County for resolving the issue quickly and cooperatively.”
Napa County already has hired a bilingual elections coordinator to assist in implementing the Spanish language elections program.
The county has also established an advisory group of interested community members and organizations to assist the county in determining how to most effectively provide election information and assistance to Spanish-speaking voters.
To assist in ensuring the effectiveness of the agreement’s bilingual assistance procedures, the agreement provides that Justice Department election monitors may monitor during training and early voting as well as on Election Day.
To file complaints about discriminatory voting practices, voters may contact the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division at 1-800-253-3931 or at
More information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting rights laws can be found on the Justice Department’s Web site at www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/ .