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The nonprofit group conducted Big Valley Rancheria’s Tribal General Election on Oct. 15, according to a Monday report.
Big Valley Tribal Administrator Mickey Burke said this week that the tribe is not yet ready to release the election’s results.
Bill Koehler, Lake County Mediations Board member and elections coordinator, worked with tribal administrators to map out and design an election process that would address the tribe’s specific election ordinance and ensure that the elections were conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
Lake County Mediations reported that it managed all aspects of the election, from designing and printing the ballots, notifying tribal members of the pending election, mailing absentee ballots, managing the on-site election process and tabulating the results.
Lake County Mediations also reported that it certified the election results to the tribal government and to the U.S. Government.
“The election process on the 15th went smoothly and quickly,” said Lake County Mediations President Mary Heare Amodio. “Tribal members were friendly and were pleased that the election was being conducted by a group that was not affiliated with any particular tribal viewpoint.”
Conducting elections for tribal governments, homeowner associations, professional or service associations, or mutual benefit corporations is one of many neutral services provided by Lake County Mediations.
Because elections can be contentious, having an independent third party manage and oversee the election process helps organizations minimize conflicts that may arise, the group said.
Neutral organizations, such as Lake County Mediations, are able to tailor each election process to address the needs of that specific organization.
The services provided are determined by each organization and can range from managing the entire election process, to providing limited services such as the tabulation of the ballots and certification of the election results.
Use of a neutral third-party to manage the voting process, helps an organization create transparency in its election process and insures that the organization has a fair election.
Lake County Mediations has provided election services for other organizations in Lake County, including the Riviera Homeowners Association in Kelseyville and provides mediation services in the community to help individuals and small businesses deal with and resolve conflicts.
Visit Lake County Mediations online at http://lakecountymediations.org.
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High winds along with low humidity are expected over much of the state over the next few days. Winds in some areas are expected to have gusts in excess of 60 miles per hour.
Lake County also is under a wind advisory through 6 p.m. Thursday, with northerly winds between 25 and 40 miles per hour expected, and gusts as high as 55 miles per hour. A high wind warning for elevations over 2,000 feet, where sustained speeds of 40 miles per hour or gusts of 58 miles per hour or more, could occur, the National Weather Service reported.
This week’s weather event will significantly increase the wildfire threat in wind prone areas including the Sierras, the East Bay Hills, the Central Coast and throughout Southern California, according to the forecast.
“The recent devastating wildland fire in Reno, Nevada is a reminder that fires can burn during the winter months even when temperatures are low,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire’s director. “With the strong winds forecasted the fire danger will increase in many areas and we will have extra firefighters on duty so that we can respond to any new wildfires that may ignite.”
Cal Fire, along with other fire agencies, has increased their preparedness by staffing additional state wildland fire engines, dozers, fire crews and aircraft.
These resources will be positioned throughout the state to allow for rapid response into communities and watershed areas that may be affected by a fast moving wildfire.
The increased staffing includes the county fire departments of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Kern and Orange, with which Cal Fire contracts for fire protection of State Responsibility Areas.
Residents are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when in or near the wildland or open areas to prevent a fire.
Cal Fire said it is important that everyone monitor the weather and be on the lookout for fires. If fires occur in the area be prepared to follow all instructions of fire and law enforcement officials if an evacuation is ordered.
Winds of the forecasted velocity can cause conditions to change rapidly and the public is encouraged to review “Ready, Set, Go” procedures at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
Each person and family should insure that they are “Set” for a potential emergency situation and prepared to activate the “Go” (evacuation) portion in a calm and safe manner.
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The advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters are predicting the storm – scheduled to hit Northern and Central California through Friday – will bring to Lake County northerly winds from 25 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 55 miles per hour.
Winds are predicted to start Wednesday morning, decreasing that night and then becoming windy again on Thursday.
Temperatures through the end of the week are expected to be in the 50s during the daytime, dropping into the 30s at night, the National Weather Service reported.
The high winds could cause difficulty for drivers, especially those driving high profile vehicles, and are raising concerns for the potential for falling trees, downed power poles and interrupted power service.
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is urging people to assume that any downed power is “live” or carrying electric current. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-PGE-5000.
PG&E also suggests keeping battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages, and battery-operated flashlights, cell phones or hard-wire, single-line telephones on hand in the event of outages.
If you have a generator, inform PG&E and do not use it unless it is installed safely and properly, the company advised.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
During its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 28, the 49th District Agricultural Association’s Board of Directors approved a modest budget for operation of the county fairgrounds and the annual Lake County Fair event in 2012, according to fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons.
With revenues projected at $558,000 and expenses projected at $550,443, the budget leaves little room for error, Persons reported.
By comparison, the 2011 budget included $723,400 in revenues and $675,455 in expenditures.
Funding for California’s 76 fairgrounds was eliminated entirely from the State’s 2011-12 budget, which impacts the fair’s 2012 budget.
Persons said the change in funding forced the District Agricultural Association to examine both its revenue and expense streams, and to make changes in both in order to close the budget gap.
The largest single change was the layoff of 50 percent of the fair’s full-time staff, resulting in an estimated savings of $71,580.
Other cuts included a $22,071 – or approximately 9 percent – cut in administration, which Persons said came largely in benefit reductions.
Smaller cuts occurred in other areas, however, the Lake County Fair event was largely spared, he said.
“The Lake County Fair is the largest revenue stream for the association, and in order to continue to present the great event that Lake County residents expect, we worked very hard to avoid impacting it financially,” Persons said.
Numerous changes also have taken place on the revenue side of the budget, many of them phased in during 2011, he said.
Fairgoers at the 2011 Lake County Fair saw higher ticket prices, vendors saw higher booth space rents, the association required higher concession fees and entry fees for fair contests increased slightly, Persons reported.
In addition, Persons said higher rents for tenants renting fairgrounds buildings began to be phased in during 2011.
“The rental fee increases have been very hard for the Board of Directors,” said Persons.
Persons explained that 65 percent of the tenants who utilize the fairgrounds are nonprofit organizations, and most of them are doing fundraising.
“Many of those groups see the rental fee paid for the fairground as a necessary evil, something to be kept to a minimum so that funds can be concentrated on their nonprofit mission,” he said. “But most of those nonprofits also understand that without the facilities they use at the fairgrounds, their fundraising events are not possible, and the increased rent on the fairgrounds will help keep the facility open and allow them to continue to have their events, and to continue to keep the vast majority of the funds they raise.
He added, “I'm hopeful that Lake County Fairgrounds will be able to continue to provide a community event venue long into the future. But it cannot do so unless the community understands that the funds to operate the facility must come from the community, and that means tenants must share a larger portion of the funds they raise with the venue.”
The 2012 budget also eliminates all funding for major capital improvement projects, Persons said. Spending on capital projects has normally been between $65,000 and $300,000 per year, but is projected at zero for 2012.
The state has historically provided 80 to 90 percent of major capital improvement funding, which in recent years have included new water mains, a new horse barn, street improvements, new restrooms in the livestock area, and restroom improvements throughout the rest of the facility, Person said.
“The board’s first priority this year was to come up with a plan and a budget that keeps the fairgrounds open and makes sure that the 2012 Lake County Fair happens,” Persons said. “The plan and budget are now in place. Over the next few months, the board will be looking at ways to deal with capital improvement needs. That will probably mean forming some kind of a non-profit foundation similar to a hospital foundation or an arts foundation.”
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The incident occurred outside of Lakeport a little before 11:20 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
A male subject in a car described as a 1995 Mitsubishi was fleeing Lake County Sheriff’s deputies at about 120 miles per hour when he lost control and crashed, radio reports indicated.
Reports indicated that the suspect may have been pursued for vehicle theft.
The crash took place at 3600 Hill Road at Park Way, in front of Lakeport Fire Protection District Station 52, according to dispatch.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District was dispatched to the scene to offer medical care to the driver, who deputies took into custody, radio reports stated.
More information about the driver was not immediately available.
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