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Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), one of Lake County’s two representatives in the House of Representatives, has been named chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures within the House Committee on Ways and Means.

This appointment now goes to the full Democratic Caucus for review where it is expected to be confirmed.

“It is my deep honor to be named to lead the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee by my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. I came to Congress to help grow the middle class and ensure everyone gets a fighting chance to succeed and I look forward to continuing that work as the leader of this subcommittee,” said Chairman Thompson.

“This appointment will enable me to continue standing up for communities devastated by disaster, overseeing and investigating the impact of the Republicans’ tax plan on our economy, and implementing infrastructure and renewable energy policies fit for the 21st century,” Thompson said. “I want to thank Chairman Neal and my colleagues for trusting me with this responsibility and pledge to work overtime to ensure my constituents and the American people all have an opportunity to get ahead.”

“Mike Thompson is a fierce advocate for his constituents in California. With spirit and heart, he works day in and day out to expand Americans’ economic opportunity, and I know he’ll be a terrific leader as chairman of the Ways & Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal. “I look forward to working with Mike to modernize our nation’s infrastructure, protect victims of natural disasters, and ensure the tax code works for all Americans, not just those at the very top.”

Click here to learn more about the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. He also chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, is co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-conservative Blue Dog Coalition.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday night voted unanimously to accept from Bank of America the donation of its former branch building.

Bank of America closed the Lakeport branch, located at 500 N. Main St., at the end of 2017. However, it has maintained an ATM machine at the location.

City Manager Margaret Silveira took the donation to the council for approval.

“This is something I'm very excited about,” Silveira said, noting that the donation has been in the works about a year.

The donation of the building, which she said Bank of America has valued at $455,000, comes with a main stipulation of allowing the ATM to remain there, with the company to pay the city for the utilities to run it.

She said she’d hoped to have the final donation agreement and ATM lease to the council earlier, but a few minor issues were being worked out. “Their attorneys are doing a final review on it.

As soon as the donation documents are signed, it will go into escrow, which Silveira said is expected to be completed within three to four weeks.

She said that when she sent in a letter to the company asking for the donation of the building, the idea was to use it as a community center.

The city’s council chambers now constitutes one of the largest meeting spaces in the city, with nonprofits often using the room. She suggested the bank building could be used to benefit nonprofits, adding there will be future discussion on how to use the building.

Bank of America recently spent $100,000 to isolate the ATM from the outside, she said.

The city had planned to place solar panels in the City Hall parking lot, but Silveira said they are now looking at placing the panels at the bank building.

Council members and Silveira noted that the building fits into the area slated for lakefront revitalization, sitting as it does next to the Natural High School property. Silveira said it would definitely be connected and offer synergy to the projects in that area.

Business owner Nancy Ruzicka questioned the loss of property tax revenue and taking another business off of Main Street. “You really don't get nothing for nothing.”

Councilman Kenny Parlet said city staff deserved kudos for getting a critical location in the plan area donated.

“This is just one piece that we don't have to worry about now, and it's such an integral piece,” he said.

Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said the donation is very exciting, noting the city has needed an event center for a long time. “I think it will be a great economic development tool.”

Mattina thanked Silveira for pursuing the donation, adding that it feels like the city is on a roll.

Mayor Tim Barnes said it’s fantastic to take a vacant building on Main Street and use it. Councilman George Spurr agreed.

Silveira said Bank of America also is covering the closing costs. She was told by the real estate professional helping handle the transaction that Bank of America doesn’t normally make such donations.

Michael Green, who serves on the planning commission, said he was surprised in a pleasant way. He asked what part the building plays in the larger vision of the lakefront plan.

Silveira described the building as spacious with an open floor plan and kitchen space. “It's basically a big, open building,” she said, noting a city official looked it over and found that only minor upgrades are needed due to Americans with Disabilities Act rules.

“It's really a big open canvas for us to figure out what we want to do with that space,” she said.

Green asked if the building shifts the center of gravity on the emphasis of the lakefront revitalization plan. Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said no, that it’s within the plan’s nexus area.

“It does fit in very nicely with the lakefront plan,” Ingram said.

Parlet moved to approve receiving the building’s donation, which the council approved with a 5-0 vote.

Also on Tuesday, the council held a public hearing for the adoption of a resolution approving an application for funding and the execution of a grant agreement and any amendments for the 2018 funding year of the state Community Development Block Grant program.

Silveira said the city is seeking $650,000 to assist the second phase of the affordable housing project on Martin Street. She said that will fund offsite improvements, including sewer and sidewalks, adding the site is very expensive to build on because of the way it’s situated.

There is no cost to the city to submit the application, which has a Feb. 1 deadline. The council approved the application unanimously.

In other business, the council appointed Alan Flora to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board to a term effective Jan. 1 and expiring Dec. 31, 2022. Flora is a former county deputy administrative officer who now is the assistant city manager for Clearlake, where he also carries out financial director responsibilities.

Flora was recommended to the council by the ad hoc selection committee, which includes Mattina and Turner.

Spurr asked Flora if he intended to ask current and past firefighters about the district’s issues.

Flora said yes. “It makes sense to ask a lot of questions.”

On Tuesday night the Lakeport Main Street Association also presented awards to the winners of its holiday decorating contest.

Business winners were: first place, Main Street Bicycles; second place, Campos Casuals; and third place, Renee’s Cafe. Residential winners were: first place, Matthew Harrell; second place, Jeff and Jackie Hansen; and third place, Sandra Campos.

In other business, the council also approved Barnes’ appointments of council members as liaisons to various boards, committees and commissions; adopted a resolution appointing council members to vote on behalf of the city at the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division Business meetings and represent the city and vote at Division Legislative Committee meetings; approved the recognized obligation payments schedule for the period of July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, for presentation and adoption by the Countywide Oversight Board; and approved a mural at the Lakeport Fire Station by Ben Van Steenburgh.

Barnes said there was no reportable action out of the closed session, held ahead of the open portion of the meeting, to discuss anticipated litigation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service said a powerful Pacific weather system expected to impact much of California from Wednesday evening through Friday morning, bringing with it a large amount of precipitation, high elevation snow and high winds.

For Lake County, the agency issued a high wind watch in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday and a flood watch that runs from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.

A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. In Lake County, wind speeds on Wednesday night are expected to be in the 20s, with gusts close to 40 miles per hour, particularly on the Northshore.

A flood watch means means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Areas of particular concern are those with recent fire burn scars, such as the areas impacted by the Mendocino Complex.

Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider said at the Lakeport City Council’s Tuesday night meeting that he sent out an email to council and staff regarding concerns for severe weather. He said the forecast has called for as much as 7 inches of rain in 24 hours plus heavy winds.

Those winds raise concerns for downed trees and power lines at a time when the ground already is saturated from earlier storms that arrived this week.

While Clear Lake’s level is down – it’s been on the rise but is still well below 3 feet Rumsey, and a full lake is 7.56 feet Rumsey – Grider said there could be localized flooding.

“We're in really good shape but everyone should just be prepared,” Grider said.

He also reported that water barriers are mobilized and ready to be deployed for city facilities of necessary.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen also reported that he and his staff have been working with Grider and Public Works to be prepared for the heavy storm coming in.

The forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain through Thursday. In Lake County, rainfall totals on Wednesday are expected to range between 2 and 4 inches.

Forecasters also said that thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night over the Mendocino Complex and the Camp wildfire burn scar areas, leading to the potential for debris flows.

There also is a chance of heavy mountain snows above the 5,000 foot elevation level, according to the forecast.

During the heaviest rainy periods, nighttime temperatures will rise into the 40s, dropping into the high 30s later in the week. Daytime temperatures will hover in the low to mid 50s, the forecast said.

The storm system is anticipated to clear out on Friday morning, although chances of rain remain throughout the weekend, with sunny skies forecast for Monday – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – and Tuesday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Boaters are advised to use extra caution due to debris in Clear Lake.

The Lake County Water Resources Department reported that stormwater runoff from recent rains has washed trees and other floating debris into the lake.

Some logs may appear small on the surface, but could be mostly submerged. Lake County Water Resources Department advises boaters to maintain a safe speed and keep a clear line of vision ahead of their vessel, especially during dusk and dawn when light is limited.

The Water Resources Department will patrol the lake and remove hazardous floating debris. However, boaters should remain alert and aware of their surroundings as more rain and debris flow is expected.

Please contact the Lake County Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344 if you have questions or concerns.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, Davis, Yuba City), introduced the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act with Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) joining as original cosponsors.

This legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the United States, to Merchant Mariners who sustained our armed forces during World War II.

“Throughout the Second World War, our armed forces relied on the Merchant Marine to ferry supplies, cargo and personnel into both theaters of operation, and they paid a heavy price in service to their country,” said Garamendi. “The Merchant Marine suffered the highest per capita casualty rate in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. An estimated 8,300 mariners lost their lives, and another 12,000 were wounded, to make sure our servicemembers could keep fighting. Yet, these Mariners who put their lives on the line were not even given veteran status until 1988.”

Garamendi said that last year, he got the chance to meet with three World War II Merchant Mariners: Charles Mills of Texas, age 97; Eugene Barner from Kansas, age 92; and Robert Weagant from Illinois, age 92.

“These mariners put their lives on the line for this country, braving German and Japanese submarines in their Liberty Ships as they delivered critical supplies to our servicemembers in the European and Pacific theaters,” said Garamendi.

“Unfortunately, their sacrifice is commonly overlooked,” he added. “A Congressional Gold Medal would give them the recognition they deserve, and that’s why I’ve introduced this bill: to give these veterans and their families the honor and respect they are owed.”

“The time has come for our nation to provide a well-deserved thank you and honor the remaining Merchant Marine veterans of World War II with a Congressional Gold Medal,” said Christian Yuhas, vice president of American Merchant Marine veterans and a chief engineer Merchant Marine. “This group of unsung heroes nobly served our country by operating the ships that transported critical supplies to front lines of the war, and in doing so suffered a casualty rate higher than any other branch of the military. In fact, one out of every 26 casualties during World War II was a volunteer Merchant Mariner. America would not be the great nation it is today without their valiant service of yesterday. I urge Congress to support this important bill and recognize this dwindling group of Merchant Marine Veterans from WWII that have served our nation so admirably.

The Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced in the Senate simultaneously by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

The bill is currently awaiting action by the House Financial Services Committee.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Unified School Board on Monday night tapped a veteran school administrator to lead them through the process of restoring equilibrium and unity to the district, and choosing a permanent superintendent.

In a 3-1 vote, the board selected Patrick Iaccino, the retired superintendent of Upper Lake Unified School District, as interim superintendent.

Iaccino, 62, retired in June 2017. He has nearly four decades of education experience, including working in Southern California and running the state’s largest continuation school before coming to Upper Lake. Last year, he ran for Lake County superintendent of schools against incumbent Brock Falkenberg, who retained his seat.

He said his wife works for a school district and his children also work in education.

During Monday’s special meeting, which ran close to four hours, the board went in and out of two closed sessions in discussing the decision.

Iaccino and Judy Luchsinger, a former county superintendent who now runs her own consulting company, were interviewed in open session, with questions posed by board members and audience members alike.

The board then went into its second and final closed session, emerging after about an hour to announce the decision to select Iaccino.

In reporting the vote, Board Secretary Phil Kirby said he, Board Chair Dan Buffalo and Board member Jennifer Hanson voted to hire Iaccino. Carly Alvord voted no, but it was reported after the meeting that her vote wasn’t a matter of not supporting Iaccino but rather wanting to pursue the option of also bringing on Luchsinger to work in tandem with Iaccino in the coming months as the district seeks a permanent lead administrator.

A decision to hire an interim chief business officer was tabled.

The decision came in the midst of a meeting that was lengthy but less contentious than the board’s meeting on Wednesday, during which it terminated the contract of Superintendent April Leiferman.

The next morning, Board member Lori Holmes, who had been the lone dissenter in the decision to fire Leiferman, tendered her resignation, as Lake County News has reported.

District staff – from administrators to certificated and classified staff – have raised concerns about more possible firings. However, on Monday night, Buffalo said they were looking to work with everyone, and that there was no intention to “clean house” and no “hit list,” such as those circulated on social media naming a number of key individuals who it’s been speculated the new board was preparing to fire.

During public comment at the start of Monday’s meeting, Steve Gentry, the retired principal of Clear Lake High School, criticized the new board for creating chaos and tension and rolling back progress, and he said they needed to listen to all groups, not just friends and family members. He also supported hiring Iaccino.

Gentry suggested the three new board members attend training through the California School Board Association to understand State Education Code. “Many of the things you're concerned about have been mandated by the state, particularly in discipline and attendance,” he said, adding they should get to know what the state won't allow.

Joe Szupello called the district's current situation “just plain embarrassing,” telling the board members they are unethical and lack morals.

He said he's already taking action to launch a recall effort, explaining that the county elections office has told him he needs 1,475 supporters and as fo 10 a.m. he had 2,400.

Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg offered advice, not criticism. “You guys have a tough decision to make here today,” adding that he hopes their decision is supported by everyone and they're able to move forward in a positive direction.

Over the last several weeks, the district's circle of leadership has grown really small, Falkenberg said. He asked them to think about their decisions and how to expand the circle of leadership, so they can come forward with a uniform, supportable process or policy.

On Monday the board also heard from several individuals and groups who said they supported all of their actions.

Those included Anita Swanson and a group of Lakeport Elementary School teachers who came forward to present a letter they said was signed by 25 different people in support of the board's actions so far. They said replacing Leiferman showed the board was responding to their concerns.

“We were once a family and we hope to one day get back to that,” Swanson said.

Jeannie Markham, who has spent her entire teaching career in the Lakeport Unified School District, backed up the comments given by Swanson. “We were family. We took care of each other,” she said, noting that died a year and a half ago. She did not refer to Leiferman by name, but that was when Leiferman was hired.

The open session of the meeting took place beginning at 4 p.m. in the new Clear Lake High School dining room, where about 100 seats were set up to accommodate community members. The dining hall provided a larger space than the board's usual meeting space at the district office on Howard Avenue.

Board members during the meeting shared their goals for what they wanted from an interim superintendent, including reviewing the team around them, forming an ad hoc committee to meet with all sites and stakeholder groups, a full review of the positive behavioral interventions and supports policy, evaluation of resources in the classroom and assistance with recruiting the permanent superintendent.

Buffalo had said during the meeting that he was looking for someone to bring unity, an ability Iaccino showed when he led the consolidation of the former Upper Lake high school and elementary school districts into the Upper Lake Unified School District.

That unification, which went into effect at the start of the 2016-17 school year, was the first district unification completed in California under the new local control funding formula, Iaccino said.

In his appearance before the board, Iaccino brought his characteristic energy, optimism and knowledge.

Buffalo asked him how to address the divisiveness and factions in the district, and how to bring everyone back together.

“Communicate, communicate, communicate,” said Iaccino.

He said the rumors need to stop, and he would address that by sitting down with all staff members. Iaccino also proposed developing a student advisory committee to have a conversation about the district. “They’re the ones who are dealing with it.”

Whatever happens moving forward, Iaccino said every board meeting should be like Monday night’s. “You’re gonna have disagreements. That’s the beauty of education. It’s what we teach our kids. It’s OK to disagree, have an opinion, stand on your two feet, express yourself. But do it the right way.”

He said the board is going to need the community’s support, along with the interim superintendent and district staff, adding, “Don't forget who this is impacting the most, and that's your kids.”

He maintained that there is a lot of talent and incredible administrators in Lake County, and he believes one of them could be the next superintendent. However, when asked on Monday if he would be interested in the position permanently, he said he would if the board wanted him to stay on.

Iaccino suggested a process be followed that is similar to what was used to hire his successor in Upper Lake, where a stakeholders committee helped vet and interview candidates. “I would encourage that process because it really solidifies what you’re doing as a community.”

In announcing the decision at the end of the night to hire Iaccino, Buffalo lauded both Iaccino and Luchsinger for their experience and what they offer.

He said the way forward is through cooperation, not persecution. “We are not free to ostracize or to retaliate or to treat others poorly,” he said, adding that the board has the back of teachers, classified staff and administration.

Buffalo also reported that Kirby and Alvord have volunteered to work with Iaccino as part of an ad hoc committee.

Iaccino said after the meeting that he has to complete a few requirements – such as going through the fingerprinting process again – before he gets to work with the district, but he expects to start soon.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.