CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It was a full house assembled to hear Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, speak to the Lake County Republican Women, Federated, or LCRWF, on Aug. 9 in Lakeport.

As Fulton asked and answered “Lake County – Are we ready yet?” she was given rapt attention and asked many questions. The following summarizes some of the important issues.

Is Lake County growing in population? The answer is “Yes.” There are those who want growth and those who do not want growth. Fulton pointed out that communities that do not grow will die. To grow there must be job opportunities and small businesses can provide such opportunities.

Ask the question; is tourism a creator of jobs? The more tourism we experience, the more jobs that will be needed to fill the services required. We need, as a county to ask, “Are we ready for more tourist? Are we ready for more businesses? What are we really ready for?”

The County of Lake has a program called Certified Tourism Ambassadors, or CTA. This program can assist all of us to be more prepared for visitors. A very informative four-hour class is provided that has taught even native Lake Countians information they did not know about Lake County.

The agricultural picture is changing from walnut and pear growers to an ever growing number of acres being cleared and replaced by vineyards. Our growing wine industry, with tasting rooms, has increased our tourism traffic tremendously.

The downside is the lack of accommodations for those who would like to make their trips more than one day.

Fulton revealed that Supervisor Rob Brown of Kelseyville has recently shared the problems with the Lake County Building Department, wherein there is only one building inspector and such work will need to be outsourced at greater cost to the county. Lake County pay for competent people to fill positions in this department are not comparable with other areas and therefore the county has lost good employees.

There are other county departments suffering from the same issue. The issue was a topic of discussion at the board’s Aug. 15 meeting.

There are still questions as to whether there is affordable housing in the county. Some believe there is while others vehemently disagree. Affordable has a different meaning as related to a person's current income.

When high-level positions are filled, such as medical staff as an example, these people find there is a lack of shopping opportunities for their particular needs, which means long trips to shop in other cities. Will Lake County ever be in a position to fill that need?

We currently have most of the same kind of businesses that other areas have, however, we do not have them in “malls” which means in Lake County you need to search them out. Spending dollars at home means greater tax revenue for the county, Clearlake and Lakeport to spend on services for all of us.

But, Fulton says, “Don't give up on Lake County!” And another thought, “If you don't ask, you don't get.”

There are expanding and new businesses. A & B Collision is preparing a new site for expansion in Lower Lake. Broadband is coming to offer improved communications throughout the county and is testing at this time. With the launch of broadband in the county, this will open many opportunities for businesses that do not need to live in the city to have access to this technology.

Could it be possible to have restoration at Konocti Harbor Resort? There is great hope as it is reported a group is in escrow. This once-popular resort, with restaurant and swimming pool, has been closed for eight years.

It may also be possible for the county to attract another college for the Lucerne Hotel site.

There is preliminary work under way for an upscale 140-acre camping facility in the south county and even thoughts of building a city in the south county.

Work also continues on an updated county marijuana ordinance.

Fulton answered many questions regarding what is happening in Lake County.

LCRWF meet the second Wednesday of the month, February through November. Watch for an announcement regarding the Sept. 13 meeting.

Leona M. Butts is publicity chair for the Lake County Republican Women, Federated.