MIDDLE CREEK – In the wake of Congress' recent authorization of an ecosystem restoration project on the Northshore, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday discussed issues of native trust land that must be resolved before the project moves forward.

On Nov. 8, the Senate voted to override President George W. Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, known as WRDA.

It was the first WRDA bill to be passed in seven years, and included authorizations for hundreds of projects, including the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project.

The project will restore 1,200 acres of wetlands and 500 acres of floodplain in the Clear Lake area, as Lake County News has previously reported.

Bob Lossius, Lake County's assistant director of Public Works, went to the board Tuesday to ask for their guidance on what to do about native lands that will be affected in the project.

Thirty acres of land that has been held in trust for Robinson Rancheria since 1981 will go underwater as a result of the project, Lossius explained. The land in question is located across Highway 20 from the tribe's casino.

Lossius said the desire is to compensate the tribe for the lost property by transferring three other tribal-owned parcels – located on the lakeshore and roughly the same amount of usable acreage – into trust.

It's a more affordable option than putting up a ring levee, which Lossius said will offer little protection and cost $50,000 annually to operate and maintain.

The Army Corps of Engineers' Sacramento office originally attempted to include the trust transfer in its plan, but the Washington headquarters removed it, saying the agency didn't have authority over tribal lands, Lossius said. Ultimately, the land swap didn't make it into WRDA.

“What I want to do is move forward with additional letters to start the ball rolling again, to get this trust transferred,” said Lossius.

First, however, he needed to confirm that the board, sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District's directors, was OK with the plan, which previous boards have supported.

One concern that supervisors raised during the meeting was that the tribe might plan to build a casino on the lakefront parcels, which Lossius said below the flood level.

“Once it becomes trust, then what happens to it?” asked Supervisor Rob Brown.

Could the tribe then raise the land to be above flood levels in order to build a casino? Brown asked.

Lossius said the tribe would need to comply with federal rules, and added that the Corps of Engineers doesn't allow fill – which would be needed to raise the land level – in the lake.

Supervisor Ed Robey said he supported the trust transfer because of the overall project's “tremendous value” to the lake.

“This is an integral part that needs to be done,” said Robey.

Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the county has previously worked out a memorandum of understanding with the tribe on other services. He suggested the tribe should consider not charging for necessary flow and flood easements for the project in the “spirit of cooperation” and as a sign of buy-in on the project.

He urged that the lakefront parcels be kept as open space.

Rushing said she was impressed with the tribe's environmental programs. The alternative to the full project – an inadequate levee – would be a problem, she added.

Rushing moved to reinforce the board's previous position to support the transfer, which the board approved 5-0.

Lossius said the county will now have to see separate legislation to address swapping the other parcels into trust.

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

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LAKEPORT – Gangs and possible property purchases are on the Board of Supervisors' Tuesday agenda.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers, 255 N. Forbes St.

One of the first items that will go before the board Tuesday is a presentation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office on gang activity in Lake County. The presentation is scheduled for 9:15 a.m.

Under untimed items, the county's Agriculture Department will bring to the board a proposed ordinance establishing fees for registration of licensed structural pest control operators.

The Redevelopment Agency will ask the board for direction on the possible purchase of the Holiday Harbor mobile home park, located at 3605 and 3655 Lakeshore Blvd. in Nice.

Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, the board will discuss its position on the proposed transfer of Robinson Rancheria's federal trust status on land located in the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project area to lakefront property located adjacent to the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff.

Other untimed items on the Tuesday agenda:

– Supervisor Rob Brown's proposal to dedicate a new bridge in Kelseyville in honor of military veterans.

– Consideration of a sheriff's office request to award a $60,000 bid to James Day for the agency's purchase of an emergency generator for use at the sheriff's main office at 1220 Martin St.

– Sitting as the board of the Lake County Sanitation District, the board will discuss appropriating $118,200 in unanticipated revenue from Twin Pine Casino to provide capital improvements and capacity mitigation measures to the sewer collection system; and a proposed agreement between the sanitation district and CH2MHILL for $144,450 for engineering services for the Middletown wastewater treatment facility improvements.

– Consideration of a waiver for the Community Development Department's Planning Division to enter into a $60,000 contract with consultant Melissa Floyd for professional and specialized services.

– Proposed amendment No. 5 to solid waste handling and recycling services contract between the county and South Lake Refuse-Recycling LLC for the extension of contract to 2018. The contract extension is proposed rather than a fee increase in order to offset costs of compliance with the California Air Resources Board's requirements.

The board also will hold a closed session for a performance evaluation of Community Development Director Rick Coel and to discuss labor negotiations with California United Homecare Workers, the union representing the county's In-Home Supportive Services providers.

The meeting will be televised on TV Channel 8.

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

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CLEARLAKE – Optimistic, big-hearted, community-minded and a dedicated citizen of Clearlake – those are just some of the ways to describe Bernie Edwards.

Edwards, a retired Navy man who fell in love with Clearlake and for nearly 30 years devoted himself to its service, died late last week. He was 75.

“We have lost a dear friend, a hero and champion of the community and our country,” said Bob Malley, a former mayor and Clearlake City Councilman. “Bernie was my John Wayne, bigger than life and the nicest man anyone would want to know. He will be missed by many.”

“The city lost its biggest cheerleader,” Frank Cammarata, retired Clearlake Chamber of Commerce executive director, said of his friend Edwards. “He was Mr. Clearlake. He was the guy that never wavered – always for the city.”

Sheriff Rod Mitchell said of Edwards, “Bernie Edwards is a shining example of all that is good about the City of Clearlake. I appreciated him as a fellow civic leader, as a friend, and as a neighbor. Positive attitude was everything to Bernie and I never saw his falter. To say that he 'made a difference' is an understatement; Bernie Edwards set the standard for good citizenship.”

Edwards served in the Navy for 23 years, retiring at the rank of lieutenant commander, said his son, Kevin.

During his time in the Navy, Edwards spent time as a ship repairman, primarily repairing engines, his son explained.

At one point, Bernie Edwards was in charge of repairs for a fleet of 23 PT boats, his son said. PT boats were a class of small torpedo boats the US Navy used to attack larger boats, which became famously associated with John F. Kennedy, who served aboard one that sank during World War II.

Edwards' service continued through the Vietnam War, said Kevin Edwards. Later, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Edwards was stationed in the Philippines, where his family – including son Kevin, daughter Katherine and wife, Jacqueline – joined him for four years.

In the early 1970s the family left the Philippines and moved back to Chula Vista, where Bernie Edwards retired from the Navy and got into real estate, according to his son.

Finding Clearlake

Bernie Edwards would discover Clearlake later in the 1970s, when he made a trip to Sacramento to care for his parents, Ruby and Glenn Edwards. Kevin Edwards said his father wanted to find a growing community where he could be close to his family.

Realtor Dave Hughes said he met Bernie Edwards in 1978. “He came into my office and wanted to go to work as a real estate agent,” Hughes remembered.

While Hughes didn't end up hiring him, Edwards nonetheless got into the business, becoming active on the Board of Realtors and in helping in the effort to form a city redevelopment agency.

Hughes said Edwards was honest, forthright and hardworking. “Bernie was always upstanding, concerned about the community.”

Friend Carl Russ said at the time of his death Edwards was still actively selling real estate through his company, Edwards Realty.

Businessman and former city councilman Bob Mingori met Edwards in 1983. Edwards was active in the city's Chamber of Commerce, said Mingori, serving as the group's president for a time.

“You could always recognize Bernie for his positive attitude about the town,” said Mingori.

Anytime Edwards introduced himself, said Mingori, it was as a “proud resident of the City of Clearlake.”

Edwards wasn't just proud, he also was heavily involved in working on the city's behalf, and sought solutions to its problems, friends remember.

When the Committee to Restore Clearlake formed in the early 1990s in response to the city's high crime rate, Mingori said Edwards was there to do his part.

The group spearheaded the effort to pass Measure P, a half-cent sales tax that continues to provide funds for the Clearlake Police Department, said Mingori.

The measure needed to pass by 66 percent; Mingori said the final tally came in at 85.4 percent in favor of the measure. One of the city's precincts even reported 100-percent support.

Retired Judge Richard Freeborn said he knew Edwards for about 20 years. Freeborn called Edwards “a a motivated and energetic citizen” who frequented Freeborn's breakfast club meetings for more than 10 years.

When Bernie and Jackie Edwards celebrated their 40^th anniversary 10 years ago, Freeborn said he conducted the ceremony in which they renewed their vows.

Frank Cammarata said he met Edwards at the time the Committee to Restore Clearlake was formed. “We became fast friends. We just clicked.”

Edwards was heavily involved in numerous committees and community organizations from economic development to the Positive Image Committee of Clearlake and even the Stars of Lake County nominating committee, said Cammarata. Edwards' involvement always aimed to promote the city.

Edwards himself received a Stars of Lake County award in 1999 for Humanitarian of the Year, according to the award's records.

The retired Navy man also became admiral of the Clearlake Navy, said Cammarata, which included some old Coast Guard cutters used for rescues on the lake.

When the military sent in an engineering unit to help clean up the Austin's Resort area, Edwards and Cammarata helped organize a USO show for them on the beach, Cammarata said.

While acting as master of ceremonies, Cammarata said he looked up to see to see Edwards – who was a strapping 6 feet, 5 inches tall – come onto the stage decked out in a wig, grass skirt and coconut-shell bikini top.

Cammarata said he laughed so hard he fell down. “I damn near broke my knee.”

Edwards was “game for anything,” said Cammarata – from grass skirts to a project that painted 27 houses and buildings around the city for free about 10 years ago. As a member of the Positive Image Committee of Clearlake Edwards also was involved in finding funds to put up signs promoting the city and raising $10,000 for a basketball court.

Edwards stayed active

Up until his death, Edwards remained active in a number of groups, said Cammarata. “His heart and soul was just in south county.”

Carl Russ had known Edwards since 1988. Edwards was a frequent guest at the home of Russ and his wife, Judy.

“He was a very, very good person,” Russ said.

Russ said he and Edwards belonged to the Elks RV Club, and had enjoyed camping trips over the years, with favorite destinations including Woodson Bridge near Corning and Ferndale.

Edwards' wife, Jackie, died in February, said Russ; the couple would have been married 50 years in October.

Russ said Edwards had been looking forward to more camping trips to come.

For a person so full of life and optimism, Edwards' death caught friends off guard.

Edwards, said Russ, seemed OK. The friends went out to breakfast last Sunday and saw each other the following day.

“He was always in good spirits,” Russ said. “He had a very good attitude towards life itself.”

Three weeks ago, Edwards had visited Cammarata at his home. The two men chatted in Cammarata's kitchen, and Edwards reported that a checkup showed him to be in tip-top shape.

He had plenty of plans ahead, said Cammarata, having just joined some new committees, and also was looking forward to some fun. “He wanted to help the city and go camping,” said Cammarata.

Cammarata said he was in Oregon when he heard of Edwards' death, and came immediately home.

All of those who remembered Edwards mentioned his incredible optimism, a trait that both baffled and supported those who knew him.

“We talked about that, the rest of us guys,” said Cammarata. “What the hell's with Bernie? Doesn't anything get him down?”

Cammarata concluded that Edwards was a man who focused on the positive. Cammarata said he only saw Edwards get angry once during their acquaintance; the rest of the time he was marked by a boundless, infectious optimism.

“There were times when we were all down but Bernie brought us back up again,” said Cammarata.

Kevin Edwards, who also lives in Clearlake, called his father an inspiration, not just to him but to many people.

“In my mind he's the father of our community,” Kevin Edwards said.

Freeborn said, “If I had to sum it up he was a wonderful man that served his country and his community, and always with a sense of fun.”

Added Cammarata, “He was the best cheerleader Clearlake ever had. He was the best guy the town ever had.”

Kevin Edwards said he doesn't believe his father's work is done. “He loved to help people and he's still not done helping people, I don't think.”

Along with his many friends and admirers, Edwards leaves behind son Kevin, daughter Katherine, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements for Edwards' memorial services are still under way. Kevin Edwards said the family is working to find a venue that will be big enough to accommodate everyone who is likely to attend.

Lake County News will provide an update on Bernie Edwards' services as soon as the time, date and location are announced.

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

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LAKEPORT – Within the first few minutes of the Lakeport City Council’s Tuesday meeting, the council’s leadership was reorganized for the coming year. {sidebar id=41}

Roy Parmentier was succeeded as mayor by Buzz Bruns, whom the council chose as its leader for 2008.

The most involved discussion of the evening came on the first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s code relating to the placement and construction of metal- and fabric-covered carport.

At its May 1 meeting, the council directed the Planning Commission to prepare a zoning ordinance amendment to address construction, placement, setbacks and other standards relating to the carports, according to Community Development Director Richard Knoll’s report to the council.

Since then, Knoll reported that the Planning Commission has held four public hearings on carports standards, resulting in Ordinance No. 869.

Essentially, the ordinance adds the carports to the kinds of “residential accessory buildings” allowed under the city’s zoning rules. The language of the ordinance allows for one 400 square foot metal carport or one 300 square foot fabric carport per residential lot.

The carports would need to observe setback requirements, be maintained in good condition and be properly anchored, according to the ordinance. No electricity or utilities would be allowed for the carports, which must be painted to either match or complement the house’s primary color.

In order to place the structures, a property owner would need to receive a building permit, the ordinance states.

However, while responsible for helping refine the ordinance, Knoll reported that the Planning Commission voted 3 to 2 against adopting the ordinance.

Bruns asked Knoll for the reason behind the vote. “There simply wasn’t unanimous support from the commission,” Knoll replied.

Councilman Ron Bertsch questioned why they needed the ordinance. Councilman Bob Rumfelt replied the ordinance was needed. “People were complaining because we don’t have a standard.”

Lakeport resident Bonnie Goselin, who previously has spoken to both the commission and the council in favor of the carports, was at the meeting to argue for the ordinance.

Responding to concerns about how the carports look, Goselin responded, “Nowhere in code are aesthetics mentioned. The city has overstepped its boundaries.”

She proposed that the issue be approved based on neighbors’ input. In that case, as long as a neighboring property owner didn’t raise an objection, the carports would be approved.

The council voted 3-2 – with Bertsch and Councilman Jim Irwin voting no – to forward the ordinance to a second reading.

Council approves other ordinances, receives letter on library

In other council business, the council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 871 on its first reading. The ordinance allows for rezoning of a building at 601 N. Forbes St. owned by Fred Blower, changing it from high density residential to professional office.

The council also unanimously passed an ordinance to allow for the regulation of underage drinking on private property, which the council previously had approved on its first reading.

Knoll delivered to the council a report on a tentative subdivision map for Munion Black Oak Estates, which would consist of five lots located at 1255 Sixth St., the site of a single-family structure that recently burned down.

Bruns reported that he had received a letter from the state historic commission regarding an application submitted by a local group to list Lakeport’s Carnegie Library as a historic monument. The letter informed the city that a decision will be made on the application by Feb. 1.

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

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CLEARLAKE – The Board of Supervisors is looking for someone to fill an upcoming v vacancy on the Lake County Planning Commission.

The vacancy will be for the District 2 seat, according to a statement from the board. That seat currently is filled by Gary Briggs.

Interested applicants must reside within the supervisorial District 2.

Applications can be downloaded from the county Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us; click on “Board of Supervisors,” then on “Advisory Board, Commission Application.”

Submit applications to the Board of Supervisors Office, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

For more information, call the Board of Supervisors’ office, 263-2368.

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LAKEPORT – On Tuesday it will be time for the Lakeport City Council to choose a mayor for the coming year.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The annual council reorganization will be the council's first order of business according to the Tuesday agenda.

Roy Parmentier currently holds the mayor's post, which he took over from Ted Mandrones last year. Buzz Bruns is mayor pro tem.

Along with choosing the new mayor and mayor pro tem, the council will decide committee assignments for members.

In other council business, three public hearings are scheduled:

A property rezoning;
Introduction of Ordinance No. 869 (2007), revising the Lakeport Zoning Ordinance to amend the provisions relating to the placement and construction of metal and fabric-covered carports within the city’s residential zoning districts;
Adoption of Ordinance No. 870 (2007) adding Chapter 9.05 to the Lakeport Municipal Code relating to consumption of alcohol by minors in non-public places.

Community Development Director Richard Knoll will deliver a report from the Planning Commission on the Munion Black Oak Estates Tentative Subdivision Map.

The council also will present awards to the winners of the business window display contest.

Following the meeting, the council will hold a closed session relating to labor negotiations with the Lakeport Employees Association and Lakeport Police Officers Association. City Manager Jerry Gillham and City Attorney Steve Brookes are acting as negotiators on behalf of the city.

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

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