Crandell, Sabatier take seats on Board of Supervisors
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two new members took their seats on the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, bringing to the county’s highest government body an infusion of youth and greater diversity.
Bruno Sabatier, representing District 2, and EJ Crandell, representing District 3, were sworn in on Tuesday morning by County Clerk-Auditor-Controller Cathy Saderlund.
Crandell, elected to succeed Supervisor Jim Steele, is the tribal chair for Robinson Rancheria and the second American Indian representative to sit on the board, after District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, also a tribal leader for Middletown Rancheria.
Lake is believed to be the only county in the state – and possibly the nation – that has that level of tribal representation as part of its overall county leadership, according to statements at Tuesday’s meeting.
Sabatier, who came to the United States from France, just completed his first term on the Clearlake City Council during which he served as mayor. He was elected to succeed Supervisor Jeff Smith, who has been on the board for 20 years.
Before Crandell and Sabatier were sworn and seated, their predecessors were honored by their board colleagues.
Steele, who for the past year has chaired the board, opened the meeting. During the moment of silence, an emotional Smith dedicated it to his friend, Bill Rutherford, a former California Highway Patrol officer who died last week.
After the meeting was under way, Steele passed the gavel to Vice Chair Tina Scott and Supervisor Rob Brown presented a proclamation to Smith, who he said doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.
When he was first elected, Brown said the first call he got was from Smith, congratulating him and offering him assistance. Brown said Smith was always there when he needed advice, and he’s been a true gentleman.
“I genuinely appreciate the friendship we've developed over these years,” Brown said.
The proclamation offered for Smith lauded him for his five terms representing District 2, which includes the majority of the city of Clearlake.
His priorities have included support for public safety, code enforcement efforts, assistance to senior centers, encouragement of tourism and development of local jobs.
He also served on a variety of committees, including the Area Planning Council/Lake Transit Authority, Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Commission, First 5 Lake, the Local Area Formation Commission, Clearlake Redevelopment Agency and the Solid Waste Task Force.
“Supervisor Smith, a highly successful business owner in his own right, served as a champion for local businesses throughout his tenure with the Board,” the proclamation stated.
The proclamation also noted that Smith was instrumental in securing essential recovery resources for his community, which was severely impacted by the October 2017 Sulphur wildfire, in which he and his wife lost their own home.
Smith was strongly committed to fire hazard abatement, development of the former Pearce Airport in Clearlake, housing for veterans, regular local tax sales to reduce blight and support for the development of an all new transit hub in Clearlake.
In collaboration with Congressman Mike Thompson, Smith also played an integral role in the 10-plus year project to open a Veterans Affairs clinic in Clearlake, a goal which came to fruition in November 2010.
Smith wiped at his eyes as Brown read the proclamation. “I’m easily choked up,” he said afterward.
“I really appreciate all your comments, Rob,” he said. However, he added, “Everybody out there deserves the credit,” giving a large amount of credit to county staff.
“I just hope that the county can get better,” he said, explaining he had expected to see more things get done.
Smith added, “Our employees deserve a lot more. It's something we've always strived for, but because of the catastrophes we've had, we haven't been able to carry it through.”
Simon and Scott both thanked him, with Scott noting, “I wish I would have had more time to work with you.”
Steele said he and Smith have shared a couple of disasters together, and that Smith has been right there for his community and county every step of the way.
“It’s been a good 20 years, Jeff,” Steele said.
Simon then read the proclamation for Steele, who for four years has represented District 3, the largest geographically of the five supervisorial districts.
The proclamation credited him with helping reduce the cost of water in the economically challenged community of Lucerne, and recognized his representation of the county at the Rural County Representatives of California and the California State Association of Counties, with Steele one of only 40 supervisors in the history of the CSAC Institute to become a California Credentialed Supervisor.
He has served on numerous committees and governing bodies, including the Area Agency on Aging, the Blue Ribbon Committee on Restoring Clear Lake, the Disaster Council, Eel Russian River Commission/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Fire Safe Council, the Potter Valley Project and the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay.
Steele also implemented town halls on the Northshore, led efforts to deal with garbage and refuse to diminish blight and reduce the risk of resulting environmental hazards, spearheaded the creation of the newly formed Lake County Fire Risk Reduction Authority to enhance home and property protections and support local resiliency efforts, and championed an ordinance designed to regulate the local cannabis industry.
After Simon read the proclamation, Steele thanked everyone for coming and said the only way that governance works is when the governed allow it. He also credited the work of county staff.
Steele said he was honored to serve four years, and that this completes 28 years of public service for him. He’s also worked in private industry, including owning several small businesses, one of which he intends to return to now that his term is done. He said he’s never had more fun or been more honored than working for the county.
He said Crandell will serve well, calling him a sterling individual and an amazing person, adding he couldn’t wait to get him up on the dais. “You’re ready and I’m done.”
Scott thanked Steele for his service and for being available to answer her questions.
“I know you're very passionate about your community,” and she added she expects to see him continue working.
Simon commended Steele for forming the Silver Foundation, which focuses on senior issues and holds annual senior summits, noting it’s a great legacy for him. He also thanked Steele for sitting him down and sharing information on the lake so he could get an understanding of it. “You really set me straight on it.”
Brown said of Steele, “For the one term you were here, you worked hard, you got a lot done for your district.”
He said there's a small fraternity of people who really understand how difficult things can be on the board, and noted the realities of serving in office are much more severe that running for it.
During Tuesday’s meeting, a representative from Congressman Mike Thompson’s office presented certificates to both Smith and Steele.
Steele also received a proclamation from Gene Paleno of Upper Lake’s town hall and received thanks and praise from other community members, including Habematolel Pomo Tribal Chair Sherry Treppa, who thanked him for being an advocate for the tribe and, referring to Crandell, said it was exciting to see another tribal member coming onto the board. Steele’s wife, Olga, also said she hasn’t known anyone who works harder than her husband behind the scenes, and thanked him for serving the public.
Also during public comment, Les Miller, a tribal advisory council for the Lake County Museum, congratulated both Smith and Steele for their support of an American Indian statue that’s soon to be installed in front of the museum.
He also lauded Simon and Crandell for their work on the board. “I'm so proud, you make my heart soar like a hawk.”
Crandell and Sabatier were then called forward to take their oaths while Smith and Steele came down from the dais, clearing the way for their successors to take their seats.
Choosing board leadership, getting to work
With its two new members in place, the board then elected the new year’s leadership. Brown nominated Scott as chair and Simon as vice chair, with Sabatier seconding and the board voting 5-0.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson then asked the board to add an extra item to the agenda which inadvertently had been left off – the swearing in of several other county officials. The board unanimously approved the request.
Taking their oaths were Sheriff Brian Martin, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford and District Attorney Susan Krones. Tax Collector Barbara Ringen was not present but also had been due to be sworn.
Sheriff Martin’s father, retired Judge Richard Martin, administered the oath to his son ahead of his swearing-in before the board.
During public comment, Robinson Rancheria tribal member Wanda Quitiquit gave Crandell a gift – a gourd decorated with Pomo geometric designs, leather and beadwork.
“I know you will do a great job,” she said.
Huchingson also introduced Patrick Sullivan, who will hold the new tax administrator job in her office and, in that capacity, will work on the cannabis business tax, other revenue tax in general.
In other business, the board approved the request from acting Lake County Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson to consider continuing a proclamation of a local health emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire, which she said was necessary due to the debris cleanup and soil testing still being under way.
Environmental Health Director Jesse Kang reported that, as of Jan. 3, 177 burned properties had enrolled in the state debris removal program, with 156 of them considered eligible. The remaining 21 were considered ineligible because they had outbuildings, not residences. Those properties were enrolled in a modified cleanup, with some of them withdrawing and going to private cleanup.
Out of the 156 eligible sites, debris removal has been completed on 139 of them, with 69 ready for rebuild, Kang said.
In its nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, the board received a final review of a Community Development Block Grant; held a discussion on the possible creation of benefit zones to deal with damage to county roads resulting from wildfires; considered agreements with Quincy Engineering Inc. for engineering services for replacement of Wolf Creek Bridge at Wolf Creek Road, rehabilitation of Bartlett Creek Bridge at Bartlett Springs Road and rehabilitation of Middle Creek Bridge at Rancheria Road; and considered and approved an agreement between with Peterson Brustad Inc. in the amount of $499,971.00 for the Middle Creek Flood Control Feasibility Study for the community of Upper Lake.
They appointed or reappointed members of the planning commission. Crandell’s successor as District 3 commissioner is Batsulwin A. Brown, a tribal member from Elem Colony. Reappointed members are District 1 Commissioner John H. Hess III, District 2 Commissioner Bob Malley, District 4 Commissioner Daniel Camacho and District 5 Commissioner Daniel Suenram.
The board also approved the chair’s recommended 2019 committee assignments for board members, elected the chair and vice chair of the Lake County Board of Equalization and the Lake County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Board of Directors; and made a number of commission and committee appointments, including approving the selection of Bill Gabe to the Lakeport Fire Protection District.
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