CLEARLAKE OAKS – The effort to build a new senior center in Clearlake Oaks has received an important boost.

The Board of Supervisors voted last Tuesday to support a $1 million Community Development Block Grant that will seek $700,000 to build a new Live Oak Senior Center.

Community members spoke to the board on behalf of the application for the center, which is aging and in need of serious repair.

“This is an extraordinary operation,” Clearlake Oaks resident Chuck Lamb said.

He said center executive director Pat Grabham “is beyond reproach” in her work with the center and the seniors she serves.

“She's an extraordinary woman who had done absolutely amazing things for that organization,” Lamb said.

The center is an important community meeting center, with a lending library and computer, and an extraordinary Meals on Wheels operation, Lamb said. It's also a repository for Environmental Protection Agency and county documents.

Lamb said the center staff “compassionately monitors” the seniors who rely on the center's services.

Hank Bushell, chair of the United Methodist Church's council, said the center and church sit next door to one another. He said many church members at at the center, which is just down the road from the new Eskaton senior living facility that is being built.

Bushell said the center is often full now for meals, and he asked the board to support the application in light of the need.

Carol Huchingson, director of the county's Social Services Department, said she supports applying for money for the center. However, for the rest of the $1 million, she asked that it be used for existing programs her agency runs.

Supervisor Jeff Smith said as he's watched Clearlake Oaks evolve, the senior center has been a part of the puzzle.

Supervisor Anthony Farrington said all senior centers in the county provide similar services. While he gave his support to the $700,000 allocation for Clearlake Oaks, he wanted to look at finding funds for the domestic violence shelter project that Lake Family Resource Center proposes to build in Kelseyville.

Supervisor Denise Rushing, whose district includes part of Clearlake Oaks, said she supported giving the center the full $700,000 allocation.

The center already has architectural drawings prepared for a new facility, she said.

“It's shovel ready,” said Rushing. It's also needed, she added.

“This has been an amazing community to work with,” Rushing said of Clearlake Oaks.

Rushing said the county also should be looking at projects to apply for next year in order to be ready to move forward on them as quickly as possible. She added that she expects to see more Community Development Block Grant funding due to the president's stimulus package.

In order to move the grant application, Rushing – who is board chair – passed the gavel to Farrington, who is vice chair. She then moved to apply for the full $1 million grant, with the $700,000 allocation for the center project, which Smith seconded.

The 5-0 vote of the board received a standing ovation from the community members who were in the chamber's audience.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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