These little dogs, including Japanese Chins and Maltese mixes, were among about 70 surrendered to Lake County Animal Care and Control earlier this week. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKEPORT – This week Lake County Animal Care and Control found itself on the receiving end of dozens of dogs surrendered by an owner who could no longer care for them.

The agency took possession of 70 dogs earlier this week, said Deputy Animal Control Director Bill Davidson.

Animal Care and Control was dealing with a new batch of surrendered puppies, which it took to the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, when it received a complaint about the 70 dogs, said Davidson.

Officers went out to investigate, and found the dogs living in a kennel on a woman's property in the unincorporated area of the county, said Davidson.

Davidson said the woman had a large number of small breed dogs, of which all but half a dozen were older.

The breeds of dogs are much-coveted toy breeds such as Japanese Chins – also known as Japanese spaniels, a delicate little dog once bred and prized by Japan's noble families – Maltese, poodles, pugs, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and dachshunds, said Davidson. Some of the dogs have registration papers.

Animal Care and Control Director Denise Johnson said the owner in the case is cooperating fully, and chose to surrender the animals.

A few pugs also were among the dogs surrendered. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

For that reason, because they say the woman is doing the right thing by turning the animals over, Johnson said they are treating it as an owner surrender case and not releasing her name or city of residence at this point in the investigation.

Davidson said the woman may have been engaged in a breeding operation many years ago. Johnson said she had no previous complaints lodged against her.

“The priority for us is the animals,” she said.

The dogs themselves are in good shape and have been well fed. The main issue for most of them is age.

Some of the dogs are so old that they are missing teeth, and some have issues with eyes that appear to have cataracts.

But what they lack in youth is surpassed by enthusiasm and friendly dispositions. When this reporter visited the kennels, she was greeted with wagging tails and little dogs eager for a pat who, in turn, offered a friendly kiss on the hand.

Jimmy White, a kennel assistant, said the little dogs – some of which were frightened in their new surroundings, and huddled together in the kennels until offered a friendly pat – always are happy to see people.

“We're trying to find homes for them as fast as we can,” said Davidson.

Homes seems to be finding the dogs so far – and at a quick pace.

On Friday afternoon area residents who had heard about the surrenders were coming in to put in applications for the dogs.

Johnson said her staff, who works with rescue groups on a regular basis, said that they have numerous rescue groups eager to take the little dogs.

By the time the dogs are officially available for adoption next Tuesday – owner surrenders usually are held for five days – Johnson expects most of them to be placed. A lot of the dogs already are spoken for, with some of the younger dachshunds already having at least three separate adoption applications each.

Johnson said Animal Care and Control will choose where the dogs will go according to what would be the best home for each.

The investigation into the case is still pending, said Johnson. Currently, it is not being treated as a hoarding case or a puppy mill.

“If it's something that needs to go to the District Attorney's Office, it will,” said Johnson.

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Kennel assistant Jimmy White and another shelter worker with two Cavalier King Charles spaniels now being put up for adoption. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

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Puppies, like this one, who arrived at the shelter on Monday, need homes, as do adult dogs and cats, and kittens. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

LAKEPORT – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full house of critters this holiday season, and they're hoping that devoted pet lovers who are interested in adopting will be willing to add a another pet to their homes.

Bill Davidson, the agency's new deputy director, joined Animal Care and Control on Nov. 10. He's taking over the day-to-day operations of the shelter plus field services. Director Denise Johnson will focus more on legislative issues and the budget.

One of Davidson's duties is working on the adoption rate, which has grown thanks to the work of center staff to place animals both in homes and rescues.

Davidson said they see a lot of adoptions during the holiday season, but a thorough application and screening process is meant to ensure that the animals go to the right homes.

Still, the holidays are seeing lots of animals at the shelter. “We've got a full house right now,” Davidson said.

Just this Monday, an owner surrendered eight, 6-week-old Rottweiler/mastiff mix puppies. Davidson said there are five females and three males, with coloring that ranges from black and tan to black and white and tricolor.

“They are absolutely adorable,” he said.

On Tuesday morning the puppies made a visit to the Board of Supervisors meeting for Animal Care and Control's weekly showcase of adoptable pets.

Davidson added that they couldn't get out of the courthouse, with people wanting to see and hold the pups.

They will be large dogs, and are friendly and outgoing. Davidson said they're ready for adoption now. The costs are $172 for females and $142 for males, which covers shots and spay/neuter services. Licensing is not included.

The shelter doesn't have a lot of puppies, Davidson said. “Puppies usually go a lot sooner than the adult dogs go.”

However, along with eight Rottweiler/mastiff mixes, they also have three boxer/pit bull mixes that are very nice and need homes. A rescue group is interested in taking those pups but wants four of the others as well.

Davidson said they want to offer the puppies locally before sending them out of the county to rescue groups. He plans to hold onto them into the start of the new year to allow for local adoptions.

There also are plenty of adult dogs and cats, plus kittens that need homes. All of them can be found on the shelter's Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

Adoptions have been better in recent years, which has contributed to less euthanasia.

However, euthanasia is still higher than Davidson wants to see it. “We'd certainly like it to be better.”

Davidson said the problem is getting the word out that great animals are available.

Anyone interested in responsibly adopting a pet can call Lake County Animal Care and Control for more information, visit the shelter at 4949 Helbush (next to the Lake County Jail) or check out the shelter Web site at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm, where the animals can be seen online.

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

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Members of the District Attorney's Office and its Victim-Witness Division, California Highway Patrol, Lakeport Police and Clearlake Police gathered to distribute toys to children impacted by crime this year. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKE COUNTY – Santa Claus wears many faces – those of friends, neighbors, perfect strangers. And this year, of all years, he didn't let the economy get him down.

Toy drives and efforts to raise resources for needy families this holiday season were generous despite an economy that has been difficult across a broad spectrum.

On Wednesday, local law enforcement agencies – Lake County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, Lakeport and Clearlake Police departments and the District Attorney's Office – gathered at the District Attorney's Victim-Witness Division in Lakeport to begin distributing toys to child victims Victim-Witness worked with this year.

Debbie Wallace, Victim-Witness supervisor, said the annual toy drive has been taking place for more than a decade.

Every year, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lakeport asks Victim-Witness for a list of children and their Christmas requests, said Wallace.

Wallace said Victim-Witness starts compiling the list, which it gives to St. Mary's in November. St. Mary's then places the children's names on tree at the church, where parishioners buy and wrap the presents and return them to Victim-Witness.

On Wednesday, the various agencies – along with McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper the CHP mascot – gathered to collect the presents and distribute them around the county to the families.

Representatives from the different agencies delivered the gifts to the children and their families on Wednesday. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

Wallace said the Lake County Auditor's Office asks Victim-Witness each year for the most needy family, who they provide with baskets of gifts and supplies.

She said there has been no lag in gift-giving, with generosity very high this year.

A county toy collection drive for children at a local foster care agency also saw a generous outpouring once again this year, said Supervisor Rob Brown, who organizes the effort.

The agency sends Brown a list of the children's requests, which he then forwards to county employees, whose generosity he says never ceases to amaze him.

“They always come through and this year was no exception,” Brown said.

County employees donated 300 toys and $1,500, said Brown, with more still coming in. He believes more money was raised this year than last. “It's pretty amazing.”

The toys were distributed this last week, said Brown. When more came in, he took them to another local foster care agency.

“The kids never come up short on their gifts,” he said.

He added, “There's no shortage of people who are willing to give this time of year.”

'Amazing' outpouring of support

One local effort that grew by leaps and bounds this year was the Clearlake City Hall Christmas Wish Tree.

Clearlake City Council member Judy Thein and City Clerk Melissa Swanson championed the effort, which nearly quadrupled the number of children whose wishes it granted this year.

Thein said 2007 was the wish tree's first year, and it provided toys and gifts for 42 local children. This year, the city started out with 60, but thanks to the community's donations they were able to continue adding names to their list.

Clearlake Council member Judy Thein (front right) with city staff and the Christmas Wish Tree at Clearlake City Hall, which granted Christmas wishes to 156 local children. Courtesy photo.

By the time the effort wrapped up – pardon the expression – this past weekend, they had gifts for approximately 156 children, said Thein. The effort raised a total of $1,400.

The children the tree granted wishes to this year ranged in age from 3 to 17, said Thein.

Several hundred gifts under tucked under the wish tree, including skateboards, dolls, remote control cars and trucks, a scooter, a rocking horse, action figures, musical toys and just about every other toy imaginable. Thein said the children's basic wishes included warm clothes, slippers, socks, pajamas, gloves and other basic necessities.

“Many of the simple, basic needs of some of these children pulled at the heart strings of many,” she said.

Thein said local businesses donated merchandise for the children. In addition, volunteers and city staff volunteered their time to make ornaments, shop and wrap the gifts, which took place last Saturday. They also donated wrapping paper and ribbons.

“Even though the economy is sagging, the hearts of the people within the community were enormous,” said Thein.

She said Child Protective Services and Lake Family Resource Center picked up the gifts on Monday and began distributing them to the children.

“For some of these kids, these will be the only gifts they receive,” she said.

Thein said the wish tree's success was due to the community coming together to help as they could. She said the tree will be an annual holiday tradition. “My heart is so touched by the support of our community.”

Across the lake in Lakeport, Paula Bryant, vice president of Umpqua Bank, called the support for the bank's wish tree – which gathered presents for Child Protective Services – “truly amazing.”

“We were a little worried in light of the state of the economy that we might not be able to get all of the tags off of the tree in time,” she said. “We had over 150 names between the Lakeport and Kelseyville branches, but they were gone in record time!"

Umpqua Bank's wish tree received an overwhelming response this year. Courtesy photo.

Bryant said the bank has been doing this for almost 20 years and she's still overwhelmed by the response every year. This year the residents of Lake County really stepped up to the plate.

She said there are some parents and grandparents who bring their kids in every year to get a tag and shop with funds they have earned. Bryant said she even saw a couple of people who currently are unemployed take a tag.

“The Spirit of giving is in Lake County, that's for sure!” she said.

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Buzz Bruns (right), the outgoing Lakeport mayor, receives a plaque of appreciation from newly elected mayor, Ron Bertsch. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

LAKEPORT – The new Lakeport City Council was seated during the council's regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.

Suzanne Lyons, the council's new addition and the top vote-getter in the Nov. 4 election, took her oath of office from City Clerk Janel Chapman and received a bouquet of flowers in welcome.

Also taking their oaths were Bob Rumfelt and Roy Parmentier, who were reelected in November.

The results of the official canvass, conducted by Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley, showed that Lyons received 997 votes, placing her at the top of the six-person field for the three seats. Rumfelt received 959 votes and Parmentier 887.

The rest of the field included Marc Spillman with 767 votes, followed by Ginger Ingersoll, 747 votes, and George Spurr, 546 votes.

Newly elected council member Suzanne Lyons takes her oath of office on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

During Tuesday's council meeting, Mayor Willis “Buzz” Bruns received a plaque of appreciation as he stepped down from the council. He's retiring from the council following two terms of service. Bruns served a previous term as mayor in 2004.

Ron Bertsch, who has been the council's mayor pro tem over the past year, was elected mayor, with Jim Irwin elected to take on mayor pro tem duties. The council also assigned its members to various boards, commissions and committees.

In other council business Tuesday, the council discussed giving Lakeport Disposal its annual consumer price index increase on trash and recycling collection rates. Lakeport Disposal is the city's franchise hauler, carrying out its mandatory collection program since January 2004.

The council granted the increase, which company owner Joe Butcher and his son, Craig, reported will cost the average customer an additional $0.56 each month.

The Butchers also agreed to come into compliance with the franchise agreement's terms by conducting an audit of the company's 2007 performance.

Lakeport Disposal is required by the contract to pay the city a 10-percent franchise fee. The city previously has allowed them to pay a much smaller amount to cover business costs. Earlier this year, the city presented a phased-in approach to raising the fee, as Lake County News has reported.

The company agreed to raise its fee payments to 3 percent in January 2009, to 5 percent in July 2009 and then to the full 10 percent in September 2009.

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A report from interim City Manager Kevin Burke explained that current economic conditions and their pressure on sales tax revenue in particular is causing a budget shortfall.

Burke said the city's adopted budget for the current fiscal year 2008-09 contains a gap of approximately $400,000 between expected revenue and authorized expenses. At the time the budget was approved, a $400,000 line of credit was identified as the means to cover this expected shortfall in case of a cash flow problem.

Since the council adopted the budget, it's become apparent that actual city revenue will be significantly less than last year. Burke said current year-to-date sales tax revenue is approximately 10 percent less than the prior fiscal year.

The city doesn't yet know how the shortfall will play out for the rest of the year. At the same time, Burke said the city doesn't want to use the line of credit to keep the budget balanced, but neither does it want to reduce one of its most precious assets – its workforce.

In order to address the situation without cutting staff, the city reached an agreement with its management employees, the Lakeport Employees Association and the Lakeport Police Officer’s Association, for a work furlough plan in order to reduce expenses during the current fiscal year. Burke says the agreement is essential in order to put the city in a stronger cash position for the upcoming fiscal year.

The proposal is expected to save the city general fund $40,162 this fiscal year, said Burke. The city's water and sewer enterprise funds will save $26,378, for a total savings of $66,540.

Burke said employee salary rates will remain the same, but the city realizes it will decrease actual employee income and represents a significant sacrifice on the part of every participating city employee, including department heads.

The plan will require each full-time employee to be furloughed for six unpaid eight-hour periods during the rest of the current fiscal year, for a total of 48 work hours, said Burke.

For police officers on 10-hour shifts this would equate to four full 10-hour work shifts, plus an additional eight-hour period. Burke said all other staff would be furloughed for six full eight-hour work days.

In order to maximize savings, most staff will take their furlough days on the same day, so that city hall and the police department business offices would be closed, said Burke. This will result in additional energy and fuel savings.

Burke said the city and its employees have agreed to take the furloughs in connection with the holiday season in order to take advantage of historic low levels of activity. He said city hall already was scheduled to be closed for four days out of the next two weeks due to Christmas and New Year's holidays.

The result is that city hall will be closed for two weeks – Dec. 22 through 26, and Dec. 29 through Jan. 2, Burke said.

He added that in order to have the least impact on city staff, the furlough hours will be deducted in four-hour increments during each pay period over the second half of the fiscal year – beginning next month.

During the two-week period, certain crucial city services will be maintained, said Burke. They include police patrols and fire services, since no Lakeport Fire District employees are employed by the city. He said all other city staff will be available for emergencies the same as they are on any weekend or holiday when city hall is closed.

Additionally, Burke said water and sewer due dates for accounts in good standing have been moved to Jan. 9 due to the furlough. Utility bills cannot be paid in person at city hall during these two weeks; however, customers can leave their payments in the drop box at city hall, or wait until Jan. 5.

No customers who already are delinquent will have their water services shut off during this period, but any existing delinquent amounts will need to be paid by Jan. 5, 2009, in order to avoid services being shutoff, according to Burke.

In order to start water service during the two week period, call 263-3578 (recorded message), and leave the address where water service is to be turned on; city personnel will respond and after collecting a required deposit of $135, service will be turned on. In order to stop service, call the same phone number and provide the address where service is to be terminated; also provide a contact telephone number for city personnel follow up and/or return of initial deposit.

If a building inspection is required during this two-week period, please contact the planning department prior to the two-week period, or on Jan. 5, 2009, when city hall will resume normal operations.

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The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St. A business plan workshop with the council and staff will be held at 5 p.m.

Newly elected Council member Suzanne Lyons, along with reelected councilmen Roy Parmentier and Bob Rumfelt, will take their oaths of office from City Clerk Janel Chapman following adoption of a resolution approving the Nov. 4 election results and the council's receipt of the general election's official canvass.

Once Lyons, Parmentier and Rumfelt are sworn in, the council will choose its mayor and mayor pro tem for 2009, and council members will be appointed to their assignments.

In other business, the winners of the annual holiday decorating contest hosted by the city, the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeport Main Street Associaiton will be honored.

The council also will hold a public hearing on the program income reuse program and approve the Microenterprise Loan Program Guidelines and discuss Lakeport Disposal's annual consumer price index increase.

Following the open portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session to discuss an employee disciplinary matter.

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

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