LAKEPORT, Calif. – As the deadline nears for candidates to file the necessary paperwork to run for Lakeport City Council, a community member seeking to succeed outgoing Councilman Tom Engstrom has announced her intention to run.
Mireya Gehring Turner, who served as assistant clerk to the Lake County Board of Supervisors for six years, confirmed on Friday that she is running.
On the November ballot are the seats currently held by Engstrom and Stacey Mattina. Earlier this year, Engstrom announced he would not seek a second term due to family and other commitments, as Lake County News has reported.
Currently, Gehring Turner is an assistant planner for the county. She served on the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Council and the Lake County Co-Op.
Through her experience in local government oversight and holding a master of arts degree in public administration with a specialization in organizational Leadership, Gehring Turner said she is aware that the city of Lakeport stands at a tipping point of economic development – and she wants to ensure the residents of the city are protected, city businesses thrive, and city government functions at it's best.
A former private school principal, Gehring Turner sees developers approaching Lakeport city leaders with great ideas that can bring jobs to Lakeport and benefit not only our residents, but the entire county of Lake.
To capture this momentum, she knows a fresh look at Lakeport rules and regulations needs to be undertaken, and she has the skills, abilities, education, and experience to ensure the public needs are protected while encouraging appropriate economic development activities.
In order to ensure that the city is ready to embrace viable projects – from an improved tourist destination to a neighbor wanting to remodel their home – affordable, efficient, and achievable rules, procedures, and regulations need to be reviewed and developed where necessary, Gehring Turner said.
As assistant clerk of the Board of Supervisors for six years, she participated in the process of changing policy. Now, as an assistant planner for the county, she assists in development projects, both large and small.
She said she looks forward to the opportunity to apply this experience and education to make the city of Lakeport the best it can be, and encourages all residents to contact her about which direction they want to see Lakeport take in the future.
Because Engstrom did not file for reelection, the deadline for candidates to sign up has been extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.