LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County marked a new era of leadership Tuesday when a new sheriff, new district attorney, new county superintendent of schools and several reelected officials took their oaths of office.
The Tuesday morning ceremony was held before a standing-room-only crowd at the beginning of the Board of Supervisors meeting, held at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
So many people were packed into the board chambers – dozens of people lined the walls after the seats were filled – that outgoing Board Chair Anthony Farrington quipped that it was a good thing that they weren't swearing in the fire marshal.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox helped start off the proceedings by administering the oath of office to reelected County Clerk-Auditor Pam Cochrane.
It was then Cochrane's job to administer the oath to the rest of the group of officials elected in last year's June 8 primary and in the Nov. 2 general election.
Sworn in as a group were Sheriff Francisco Rivero, District Attorney Don Anderson, County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook, District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith, District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing, Assessor-Record Doug Wacker and Treasurer-Tax Collector Sandra Kacharos Shaul.
Following the oath and after the group received a hearty round of applause from the capacity crowd, the newly sworn county leaders were given the chance to offer a few remarks.
After hugging his young son, Rivero stepped up to the microphone. He was sporting the new sheriff's uniform – tan shirt, green tie and green pants – as were his command-level staff standing at the back of the room. Previously, sheriff's staff wore black uniforms.
“This is my first bout with shyness in over a year,” Rivero joked.
Looking around the room, he thanked his many supporters.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve this county as your next sheriff,” Rivero said.
He also thanked his family, and said he will need everyone's help and support going forward.
Looking to the back of the room, Rivero also acknowledged his command staff, deputies and detectives who were on hand for the occasion.
“We're going to make big changes and do good things for the people here,” Rivero said.
Holbrook followed Rivero, and started by thanking his wife, Linda, for sticking by him for 39 years.
Pointing out that he actually had started work four months ago – he was sworn in following the early retirement of his successor, Dave Geck – Holbrook said he wasn't a rookie any more.
“I've really enjoyed the first four months, and I'm looking forward to working with all the other educators in our county and our community, and looking forward to doing great things by working together,” he said. “And I think that's the way that we're all going to survive this very difficult time.”
Next was Anderson, who said many people have asked him over the last year and a half why he would want such a thankless and, at times, “heartless” job.
“And my reply is simple: It's not a job,” he said.
“Anybody who has taken the oath that we have taken, to support and defend the Constitution, and anybody who has put on a badge or gun or taken an oath to uphold the law, knows it's not a job, it is a way of life. And I am very thankful people voted me in office to be, again, a part of that way of life,” said Anderson, a former deputy sheriff.
Rushing and Smith returned to the dais, and also offered their own comments at the start of their second and fourth terms, respectively, after both were reelected in the June primary.
“I know what this job is like and I ran anyway,” said Rushing.
She said anyone who serves in elected office knows that they're serving at the will of the people.
Rushing told the group, “If you want change and if you want things to happen, you need to be a part of the process,” and she urged them to step up and take part. People in District 3, she added, can prove what a community can do when they work together.
Smith said he appreciated those who supported him, and said he would represent everyone equally – those who supported them and those who didn't.
He said people need to call their leaders and let them know when they don't agree with them.
“That's the only way we can do a good job, is for you to let us know how we're doing,” he said.
Smith added that he was looking forward to the next four years.
Farrington told the group that, in the wake of the sometimes divisive election, it was time to move on.
No matter which side people were on, “You want these elected officials to succeed,” he said.
“Let's all work together and move forward,” Farrington said, adding that he thinks 2011 will be a great year for Lake County.
As the large audience began filing out, the board went on to elect Jim Comstock as chair for the year.
They also attempted to elect Rob Brown vice chair, but Brown declined due to his other responsibilities, which include coaching wrestling at Kelseyville High School.
Brown in turn nominated Smith for vice chair, with the board voting unanimously in favor of the motion.
The board appointed Farrington and and Brown as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the county's board of equalization. Comstock will chair the In-Home Supportive Services Board, and Smith will act as vice chair.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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