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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake is bidding goodbye to its longtime Public Works director, who officials have credited with helping the city make great strides despite limited resources.
A reception for Doug Herren took place on Thursday evening ahead of the Clearlake City Council meeting.
Then, during the meeting, city leaders, staff, county officials and community members lauded Herren for his efforts in serving the city since 2001.
It’s a time of transition for Clearlake, which also this month is bidding farewell to City Manager Greg Folsom, who is taking the city manager’s job at Suisun City. His assistant city manager, Alan Flora, was appointed as the new city manager at the March 14 meeting, as Lake County News has reported.
In Herren’s case, he’s not taking another job but retiring with wife Lori to Idaho.
Clearlake Mayor Nick Bennett said he was sad to see Herren go. “Doug has done wonders over the years with little resources, little staff,” he said.
“We’re going to really miss you. There’s going to be a big hole to fill,” said Councilman Russell Cremer, who added that he hoped the city can find a successor who will measure up to Herren.
Councilman Phil Harris said Herren is more than a Public Works director. He’s been a friend to everyone in the city, and was instrumental in helping with the city’s Measure V sales tax for roads. He’s also been instrumental in getting the city grants for projects.
Harris said those are huge achievements for the city, accomplished in the midst of the chaos of the county’s fire disasters.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton – who told everyone to wave to Herren’s wife, who was watching the livestream of the meeting from Idaho – said Herren has shown what Public Works can do. She said she appreciated Herren’s friendship and his wife’s commitment and support to his time-consuming work.
The council then presented a proclamation to Herren, who received a standing ovation from the full council chamber.
Flora then came forward with an orange traffic cone. “Sometimes you need to use a lot of caution around Doug,” said Flora, who recounted Herren coming to his office, slamming his budget down on his desk and staring at him.
He said Herren has a huge heart and is a hard worker. “He doesn’t give up.”
Flora then gave Herren the traffic cone, signed by city staff, wishing him well and giving him a hug.
“It’s hard to believe this day has finally come,” said Herren, who noted mixed emotions and repeatedly cleared his throat to avoid his voice breaking.
While he’s looking forward to more leisure time, he said he’ll miss his city friends and coworkers. “The city feels like a family to me,” he said, adding, “Leaving today feels like moving away from home for the very first time.”
He thanked Folsom – his 12th city manager – for giving him a chance, for having vision and turning him loose to do his work. Herren said Folsom let him do his job, adding Folsom could have all the credit.
“Thank you, Doug,” Folsom called from the back of the room.
Herren told Flora that he feels that with his vision, direction and team, “You’re destined for greatness.”
He said Clearlake is a great city, and over the past 10 years growth and innovation have been its hallmark.
He thanked his wife for her support and his many friends in the room, from retired Parks Ranger Tom Nixon to Sheriff Brian Martin and county Public Works Director Scott De Leon.
De Leon offered praise for Herren on behalf of himself and his staff, noting that Herren has done some amazing things. “I don’t have to tell you what we do is difficult.”
He presented Herren with a framed picture that he titled “Insanity,” which depicted them in an air boat trying to break up lyngbya mats on Clearlake in 2010.
Phil Dow of the Area Planning Council also lauded Herren, noting there are three things a person can do when they’re faced with not having a lot of money or staff: collect a paycheck, complain or take Herren’s path – “just go do it, get the job done with the resources you have.”
Dow added, “What he’s done here is no small potatoes.”
Folsom said one of the things he values in employees is work hard and getting it done. He said that during the major fires that have impacted the county, Herren has worked 100-hour weeks.
Herren got grants for road projects on 18th and Phillips avenues, and Folsom said the work to build the new portion of the Dam Road Extension – completed last year – may be the pinnacle of Herren’s accomplishments in Clearlake.
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