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Nomination period for Lakeport City Council extended to Aug. 13
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The nomination period for two seats on the Lakeport City Council has been extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.
The extension is a result of the nonfiling of Councilman Tom Engstrom, City Clerk Janel Chapman reported.
Nomination papers must be issued by the City Clerk’s Office and are available by appointment beginning Monday, Aug. 11, and must be filed with the city clerk no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Each candidate must be nominated by not less than 20 nor more than 30 registered voters; therefore, it is recommended that you pick up your nomination papers in advance of Wednesday’s 5 p.m. deadline to allow time to gather signatures and fill out the required paperwork.
If you are interested in running for Lakeport City Council, please contact Chapman at 707-263-5615, Extension 12, for further information and to set up an appointment to go over the nomination packet.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Gehring Turner announces candidacy for Lakeport City Council
LAKEPORT, Calif. – As the deadline nears for candidates to file the necessary paperwork to run for Lakeport City Council, a community member seeking to succeed outgoing Councilman Tom Engstrom has announced her intention to run.
Mireya Gehring Turner, who served as assistant clerk to the Lake County Board of Supervisors for six years, confirmed on Friday that she is running.
On the November ballot are the seats currently held by Engstrom and Stacey Mattina. Earlier this year, Engstrom announced he would not seek a second term due to family and other commitments, as Lake County News has reported.
Currently, Gehring Turner is an assistant planner for the county. She served on the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Council and the Lake County Co-Op.
Through her experience in local government oversight and holding a master of arts degree in public administration with a specialization in organizational Leadership, Gehring Turner said she is aware that the city of Lakeport stands at a tipping point of economic development – and she wants to ensure the residents of the city are protected, city businesses thrive, and city government functions at it's best.
A former private school principal, Gehring Turner sees developers approaching Lakeport city leaders with great ideas that can bring jobs to Lakeport and benefit not only our residents, but the entire county of Lake.
To capture this momentum, she knows a fresh look at Lakeport rules and regulations needs to be undertaken, and she has the skills, abilities, education, and experience to ensure the public needs are protected while encouraging appropriate economic development activities.
In order to ensure that the city is ready to embrace viable projects – from an improved tourist destination to a neighbor wanting to remodel their home – affordable, efficient, and achievable rules, procedures, and regulations need to be reviewed and developed where necessary, Gehring Turner said.
As assistant clerk of the Board of Supervisors for six years, she participated in the process of changing policy. Now, as an assistant planner for the county, she assists in development projects, both large and small.
She said she looks forward to the opportunity to apply this experience and education to make the city of Lakeport the best it can be, and encourages all residents to contact her about which direction they want to see Lakeport take in the future.
Because Engstrom did not file for reelection, the deadline for candidates to sign up has been extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Lakeport hosts 'National Night Out' block party for community
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport hosted its second annual “National Night Out” block party Tuesday evening.
The event – graced with a light rain that later gave way to a cool, cloudy evening – gave community members the chance to meet city officials, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper the California Highway Patrol mascot.
There also were local HAM operators who had a booth offering information about their activities, information from the city of Lakeport, CHP, Lakeport Police and the Sheriff’s Activity League, and games and activities for children, including a bike raffle.
Mayor Kenny Parlet explained the history of National Night Out, which began 30 years ago this month.
In 1984, the event's first year, 2.5 million Americans across 23 states participated, Parlet said. Today, National Night Out has 37.8 million participants across the nation's 50 states and territories.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, who took the lead on organizing the event, said the event helps to build the relationship between law enforcement and the community.
Lakeport City Councilman Marc Spillman talked about efforts to build the city's Neighborhood Watch program over the last two years. In that time, four groups have formed, he said.
“There's far more good people in the community than bad people,” said Spillman, explaining the importance of forming the groups in order for neighbors to help neighbors.
Sheriff-elect Brian Martin also was in attendance. He anticipates having the sheriff’s office participate in next year’s event.
A raffle for two bicycles and accompanying helmets was held for children and teens, with Brooke Hinchcliff and Hayley Martin winning the bikes, the latter giving hers away a short time later to a friend who had wanted it.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport were on hand to barbecue hot dogs, and other snacks – watermelon, popcorn, candy and water – were provided.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Board of Supervisors votes to put sales tax measure to benefit lake on November ballot
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to make a third attempt at getting a specific tax to benefit Clear Lake passed by voters.
The half-percent sales tax measure will go on the November ballot.
The measure will be similar to Measure L, which in June failed by just 225 votes to get the 66.7 percent supermajority needed to go into effect.
The board has sought the specific tax option in order to ensure that the revenues generated – estimated to be in the range of $2.4 million annually – go to the proposed water quality and invasive species prevention programs, not into the general fund.
The board heard from community members both for and against the proposal. In the latter camp was Finley resident Phil Murphy, who has opposed any sales tax measures to benefit the lake, suggesting instead that the county pursue grants or attempt to divert Lake County Vector Control funds.
At one point, Murphy became so heated in his criticisms that Board Chair Denise Rushing had to use the gavel repeatedly, with Murphy continuing to raise his voice and talk over her.
Rushing also pointed out to Murphy that he attacks the board on a regular basis and she – along with board colleagues Rob Brown and Anthony Farrington – questioned the accuracy of the information he provided in arguing against a new tax measure.
For her part, Rushing said she was personally interested in seeing the measure pass as grants provide one-time funds. “I've yet to see a grant that provides an ongoing source of funding over time.”
The county also doesn't have the staffing to even go after what grants are available, she said. “Without that, we're behind.”
Fletcher Thornton, a member of the Middletown Area Town Hall, said there were questions about the measure, particularly about use of the revenues over the long term and control of ramps and checkpoints, that needed to be addressed.
“There was too many questions on the last measure, and I think that’s why it lost,” he said.
Middletown Realtor David Neft said there are myriad threats to the lake.
Neft said the sales tax measure is a small price to pay to create ongoing programs to help the lake. Otherwise, the county would never have the money to address Clear Lake's issues. “So this is a really good start.”
He added, “It always takes more money than less money.”
Rushing, who pointed out that she will go off the board when her term ends later this year and so won't have a hand in overseeing the measure if it passes, said she feels very strongly that the watershed is the county's legacy and its future.
The county's watershed, said Rushing, “bears the evidence of every bonehead decision that has ever been made around this lake.”
Whether in public office or not, Rushing said she will continue to work on behalf of the lake. She added that the majority of the voters have indicated they support the measure.
Farrington said there are many issues in Lake County that are interconnected with the lake. The people he brings to visit Lake County marvel at its beauty, and wonder why it's not doing better economically, he said.
“I think we’re at a turning point,” if the measure passes, said Supervisor Jeff Smith.
Supervisor Jim Comstock also gave his support to moving forward with the measure.
“I'm the last person who ever wants to support tax increases,” Comstock said, adding, “But sometimes you have to do it to make things go forward.”
Comstock said the lake is the driving force of the effort, and the sales tax measure will help the county pursue grant applications.
He added, even the best baseball players only get a hit one out of three times, indicating he believes the third attempt for the sales tax could be the winner.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson