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Garamendi honors Rushing, Scully at Wednesday ceremony
MARYSVILLE, Calif. – On Wednesday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA) honored 14 extraordinary women – including two from Lake County – at his inaugural “Women of the Year” ceremony.
The event, which took place in Marysville, celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of women in the Third Congressional District who improve local communities, strengthen the economy and change lives for the better.
Two women from Lake County were honored at the event: Denise Rushing, the District 3 members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors and economic strategist from Upper Lake, and Michelle Scully, educator and agriculture and economic development advocate from Lakeport.
“The women we are honoring today were nominated by the community for their substantial contributions to the Third District. It is inspiring to represent women this driven and determined to make a difference,” Congressman Garamendi said.
Also honored Wednesday were Pat Ash, city council member and preservationist, Williams; Gloria Estrada, veteran advocate and peace activist, Williams; Mary Grimmer, school and community volunteer, Arbuckle; Lee Ann Grigsby-Puente, flood protection advocate, Hamilton City; Marci Coglianese, municipal law attorney, former city official and land use advocate, Rio Vista; Samina Masood, advocate to end poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse, Fairfield; Dr. Frances Nelson, librarian, educator and literacy advocate, Fairfield; Deborah Eernisse, fitness instructor, mentor and volunteer, Davis; Gloria Partida, advocate for restorative justice and anti-bullying activist, Davis; Linda Plummer, health care advocate, arts supporter and community volunteer, Marysville; Lonetta Riley, educator and school district trustee, Yuba City; Nicole Montna Van Vleck, rice grower and industry leader.
About the Lake County honorees
Rushing is known for her work in local government as a business growth strategist.
With a background in energy technology and digital marketing, she helps changemakers innovate, create and enter new markets consistent with their values. She has generated grassroots momentum to find renewable and regenerative solutions to environmental problems.
In 2006, after living in Lake County for just 18 months, Rushing was elected to the Board of Supervisors in one of the most transformative elections in Lake County history as her platform of justice and environmental stewardship resonated with voters.
Lake County’s economic evolution over seven and a half years is a testament to Rushing's leadership and is evidenced by California’s Green Summit Environmental Leadership Award two years in a row.
One project is the largest public solar installation in the western United States; the other, “appropriate tech” park structures constructed with volunteer labor and all local and natural materials.
Rushing was instrumental in transforming a blighted trailer park into an eco-park, and a leading advocate in bringing the county’s first four-year educational institution to Lucerne.
She has been passionate about finding healthy solutions for improving water quality in Clear Lake and has worked collaboratively on local boards and committees, including one that brought traditional agriculture and the organic community together in a “food roundtable.”
Rushing is credited for effected lasting, sustainable change in Lake County and for the people who live here.
Scully has a 20-year history of service to Lake County, particularly in the areas of education, agriculture and economic development.
When Scully and her husband relocated to Lake County as he went to work in the family’s pear packing and farming businesses, she quickly immersed herself in community activities.
She was appointed to an advisory board tasked with researching the divisive issue of genetically modified crops. She also served on the steering committee that developed Lake County AgVenture, a program to educate community leaders on the importance of agriculture in Lake County.
To address the issue of hunger, Michelle organized a very successful Bountiful Gift Box fundraiser for the county’s Hunger Task Force.
She brings creativity and solid business ideas to the table of the Regional Economic Development Committee with a style that keeps community members excited and engaged in realizing opportunities.
She was a member of the advisory council appointed to be a driving force behind the opening of Marymount California University’s Lakeside Campus, and now serves as the campus’s inaugural executive director.
Scully has weathered storms, professional and personal, with infinite grace and a smile on her face. When she fell and broke her back riding her horse on their ranch, she dragged herself – using only her arms – a quarter mile home where she laid on the floor until her husband arrived and insisted on taking her to the emergency room.
Once home from surgery she missed just three lectures of teaching her biology class at Mendocino College, where she is still an instructor.
Scully personifies grit – she is able to work hard, overcome adversity, and bring long-term passions and community goals to fruition.
Discussion on challenges for women in workforce held
Following the Wednesday ceremony, participants joined in a roundtable discussion on the unique challenges faced by women in the workforce.
The women and their guests broke up into eight groups to discuss ways to overcome the gender wage gap and the value of bringing more women into the workforce.
As in previous events focused on the challenges faced by women, the need for flexibility in hours to balance work and family life was a common concern raised.
Other topics discussed include the need to:
– Mentor women at every level of educational achievement;
– Enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace;
– Pass legislation that guarantees family and parental leave;
– Offer expanded support to empower women who are discouraged by their families from attending college and pursuing careers;
– Preserve women’s reproductive rights and autonomy over bodies,
– Understand that words carry implicit and explicit meaning in our society and that so many regular terms are patriarchal at their root;
– Recognize that subtle discrimination still exists at all levels of society; and
– Encourage more successful women to help women beginning their careers to break the glass ceiling.
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Supervisors stave off library cuts, shift some Visitor Information Center duties to libraries
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a step to save the Lake County Library system from dramatic and damaging cuts, choosing instead to shift some responsibilities – and some funding – from the soon-to-be-closed Visitor Information Center to library staff.
The board voted unanimously to have the library take up some of the duties related to visitors, with $53,000 to be shifted from the general fund to the library.
At the county budget hearings Sept. 3, the board directed County Librarian Christopher Veach to come back with options to meet a budget shortfall of about $50,000.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry explained Tuesday that the board chose to explore options rather than taking $50,000 from budget reserves.
Perry said that $50,000 is about one-third of what remains in the reserve account. “That wasn't a sustainable approach over the longterm.”
Veach would bring back to the board a detailed report outlining a variety of options, among them the possibility of closing the Upper Lake Library, which has served that community for more than a century, or eliminating a branch librarian position at the Redbud Library in Clearlake.
But also at the budget hearings Supervisor Rob Brown received a proposal from a community member that the libraries – which already provide extensive information-related services to the public – could help cover some of the duties being offered by the Visitor Information Center in Lucerne.
In April the board voted to close the Visitor Information Center, deciding that it was no longer the most effective way to provide services to visitors. The center is slated to close in October.
Perry said he and his staff met with Veach last week, and identified services the library could provide. Those include answering calls to the county's toll-free visitor information telephone number, responding to emails sent to the
He said Veach was not only agreeable to the plan, but looked forward to providing the services. “I think his staff has a very excellent focus on customer service,” said Perry, noting that library staff already provides information to the public, including visitors. “In a sense it just kind of expands their role.”
It also allows the county to leverage money from the general fund – specifically, $53,000 that previously would have gone to the Visitor Information Center – and transfer it to the library fund and help balance the library budget, said Perry.
“We think it's an excellent fit,” Perry added.
In his report on cost-cutting measures, Veach did a good job of identifying options, some of which were “quite draconian,” said Perry.
“We're not recommending those at this time,” he said.
Instead, Perry proposed the board approve the library taking on the additional duties, with $53,000 to be transferred from the general fund to the library budget. Those actions can formally be completed during the midyear budget review.
Supervisor Denise Rushing said one of the plan's advantages is that it helps preserve the Upper Lake Library, which is housed in a historical building that's as important as any of the buildings the county has preserved.
“It's apparently one of the best-kept secrets in Lake County,” she said, giving credit to Upper Lake's librarian for her efforts. “It's just a really special place that I wouldn't want to see lost at all.”
Supervisor Jeff Smith said he'd received a lot of emails from people concerned that the libraries might
suffer cuts.
The Redbud Library, in his district, keeps very busy, and cuts to it “would have been real devastating for my community,” he said, adding he was glad to see the other option relating to visitor services.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington, who said he stood by his decision at the budget hearings not to dip into one-time funds to support the library, had questions about training library staff for the new duties and the possible noise impacts on the library facilities.
Veach said he was going to meet with Visitor Information Center staff to get feedback on providing the services.
“We're already providing information. That's what the library does,” Veach said, adding that the Lake County Chamber of Commerce would still be the primary place for visitor foot traffic.
In cases where visitors do come to the library for information, the circulation desks already handle a lot of traffic, Veach said.
Supervisor Jim Comstock said the proposal to shift duties to the library was a great option. He said that after the county had built its the new Middletown Library, “We didn't want to have a closed sign on it.”
During public comment, the board heard from a number of community members who had come prepared to argue against library closures, and didn't appear to be aware that the shift of Visitor Information Center services was on the table.
The community members who spoke were unanimous in their support of keeping libraries open, asking the board to make that a priority.
Shirley Dutcher said she was blindsided by the potential for the Upper Lake Library's closure. She said that community has had a library for 103 years. “That's a long time.”
Retired District 1 Supervisor Ed Robey thanked the board for wrestling with the issue, and encouraged the supervisors to keep all of the libraries open at the current level of operation.
“Do whatever you've got to do. Keep 'em open,” he said.
Rushing, referring to a comment earlier during the discussion that libraries are not an “essential” service, said, “I completely disagree with that,” explaining libraries are an essential service in a democracy, offering access to information to those who otherwise wouldn't have it.
Smith moved to approve the shifting of the duties to the library, along with $53,000 in general fund monies to the library budget, with Comstock seconding and the board voting 5-0.
For its vote, the board was given a round of applause from the audience.
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Clearlake City Council to discuss policy for prayer at meetings
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – After deciding last month to establish a policy allowing invocations – or prayers – at the start of meetings, the Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a resolution establishing policy for the practice.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, to discuss employee discipline, dismissal and release before convening in open session in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At its Aug. 28 meeting the council unanimously agreed to proceed with putting in place a mechanism to allow for opening its meetings with prayer, as Lake County News has reported.
The proposed resolution notes that no one will be required to participate, the chance to lead the prayers will be offered voluntarily by an eligible member of the clergy or city religious leaders on a rotating basis, there is no compensation, and no prior review or involvement in preparing the prayer.
In other business, the council will consider adopting a resolution opposing Proposition 47, which would reduce the classification of most nonserious and nonviolent property and drug crime from felonies to misdemeanors, and make up to 10,000 felons eligible for early release.
The council also will discuss reestablishing the Clearlake Parks and Recreation Commission and will ratify the mayor's appointment to fill Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson's remaining term on the Lake County/City Area Planning Council.
Items on the consent agenda – considered to be noncontroversial and accepted as a slate with one vote – include warrant registers, consideration of accepting for filing the 2014 local agency biennial notice regarding amendments to the conflict of interest code and minutes of the Aug. 13 Lake County Vector Control District meeting.
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Supervisors to consider plan to address library budget shortfall
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the Lake County Library facing a major funding shortfall, the Board of Supervisors this week will consider a plan to help the library take on new services in an effort to avoid service and staff cuts.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live, with the video available online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm .
In an untimed item, the board will consider options to address the shortfall in the library's operating budget, the primary proposal being to have the library to provide visitor information services.
Earlier this year the Board of Supervisors voted to close the Visitor Information Center in Lucerne, as Lake County News has reported.
County Administrative Officer Matt Perry's report to the board for Tuesday's meeting explains that in this month's budget hearings, the board directed County Librarian Christopher Veach to develop alternatives to canceling reserves to address the shortfall of approximately $50,000 in the library operating fund.
While Veach has completed a report proposing cost-saving alternatives, Perry is proposing the board instead consider a possibility put forward at the budget hearings – having the library provide visitor information services.
Primary services that the Visitor Information Center provided included assisting visitors already in the county, answering calls to the toll-free telephone number, responding to emails sent to the
While the first responsibility – assisting visitors to the county – will continue to be provided by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at the Visitor Information Center at Vista Point and by kiosks and trained employees at businesses hosting the kiosks, Perry added, “The remaining services could easily be provided by the Library.”
He continued, “Library staff is already trained in serving the public and providing information. Travelers and tourists already stop at the Library to access free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and information such as maps. Library staff has assisted many travelers by printing out directions, looking up information about community events, and providing other tourist information. Providing helpful, courteous service is a core value and skill of the entire staff at the Library.”
He added that the Lake County Library has a special collection of materials about Lake County and is planning a lecture series about Lake County titled, "Know Lake County," to start next year.
He said the proposal to have the library take over those services “is a cost effective way to provide these visitor services with the limited resources available.”
Perry is recommending that the county funds that had once been used to staff the Visitor Information Center “could be leveraged to augment the Library's budget and preserve service levels without depleting the Library's reserves and still provide visitor information services in those three areas discussed.”
He said library staff will be on hand in case the board should wish to consider other options to reduce the library's budget services; however, staff is recommending the board adopt the plan to allow library staff to take on the additional duties.
If approved, the library could begin providing these services on Oct. 7 to allow time for training and also to provide some overlap of services prior to the closing of the Visitor Information Center later in October, Perry said.
Staff also is recommending that $53,000 of general fund money be transferred to the library's budget to avoid canceling library fund reserves and provide some increase in the library's postage budget. Perry said the specific budget adjustments can be incorporated into the mid-year budget adjustments later this winter.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Adopt Resolution authorizing the deputy county administrative officer to sign a notice of completion for work performed under agreement for the Lucerne Hotel Elevator Project.
7.2: Approve Lakeport Fire Protection District's Resolution (1415-03) ratifying conflict of interest code, pursuant to district's approval on Aug. 12, 2014.
7.3: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Marta Fuller, for FY 2014-15 dental health education and prevention services, in the amount of $15,000, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Approve the purchase of four compactor wheels, in the amount of $60,500 including shipping, and authorize the Public Services director to issue a purchase order to MACPACTOR Inc. for Said Wheels.
7.5: Adopt resolution by governing body of County Service Area #22, Mt. Hannah Water System authorizing Lake County Special Districts to enter into a funding agreement and designating authority to sign a funding agreement and related documents for funding under the Public Water System Drought Emergency Response Program.
7.6: Sitting as the Kelseyville County Waterworks District No. 3 Board of Directors, award bid for one new backhoe to All American Rentals and authorize Special Districts administrator to issue a purchase order, in the amount of $103,510.00, for said equipment.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $5,699.64, for 12514 Foothill Blvd., Clearlake Oaks, CA (APN 035-141-36 - Hector Cardenas and Aiko Katzumiayala).
8.4, 10 a.m.: Sitting as Lake County Sanitation Board of Directors, (a) consideration of proposed agreement with Absolute Aeration LLC to install sludge removal equipment at Southeast Regional Water Treatment Plant; (b) consideration of budget transfer to transfer $400,000 from account 23.79 - Professional Services Projects-Outside to account 61.60 Buildings and Improvements in BU 8354 - LACOSAN – Southeast.
8.5, 1 p.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Local Board of Equalization, assessment appeal hearing – Marva Brandt – Application No(s). 43-2012, 6750 Wilson Road, Kelseyville, CA (APN 007-014-090); 44-2012, 6504 Plunkett Lane, Kelseyville, CA (APN 007-012-060); 45-2012, 1810 Eastlake Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-164-100).
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Consideration of options to address shortfall in library fund operating budget and assigning library to provide visitor information services.
9.4: Consideration of county employee health plans - EIA health, dental, vision, and life renewal for 2015.
9.5: (a) Consideration of naming landlord as additional insured; and (b) approval of lease agreement between Lake County Social Services and Penna Realty Property Management.
9.6: Consideration of resolution authorizing approval of memorandum of understanding between California Department of Social Services and Lake County Department of Social Services/Child Welfare Services and Lake County Probation to Participate in the California Title IV-E Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project.
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 (d)(4) .
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