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UPPER LAKE – A former county supervisor says he's back in the race this year.
Gary Lewis, 66, of Upper Lake has joined the race for District 3 supervisor, a seat he won in 1998 and held through 2006.
In the race along with Lewis are two other Upper Lake residents – the incumbent, Denise Rushing, who defeated Lewis in a hotly contested 2006 race, and Robert Hesterberg.
Although the 2010 race for District 3 supervisor has three candidates as it did in 2006 race – Shalean Smith, another Upper Lake resident, was the third person in the 2006 election – the two races are notably different in tone and the amounts of money raised so far.
In 2006, Lewis and Rushing ran to November in a campaign that saw more than $100,000 raised between the two top candidates, which Lewis said is a county record.
That campaign had not just cash but rhetoric, as the two campaigns battled over the Northshore, how it had been led and its hopes for the future. Lewis also was criticized for using a county cell phone to make personal calls, which he said totaled $150 over several years and which he repaid.
“That's what happens when you don't pay attention,” he said.
This year, Lewis said he's taking a far different, more “subdued” approach. “I'm not running against Denise, I'm running for Gary. So I don't have any bad things to say about anybody,” he said.
He also doesn't plan to raise anywhere near what he did in 2006, when the county had a different economy,he said. Lewis in fact filed a form with the Registrar of Voters Office saying that he does not expect to raise more than $1,000.
Explaining that decision, he said that, considering the economy currently, it would be hypocritical to ask people for money. Instead, he's taking a word-of-mouth approach.
“If people want to elect me, that's fine, if not, that's OK,” he said.
Lewis purchased land in Lake County in 1968 and moved here permanently in 1974. He and wife, Darla, live on a 20-acre property next door to the Mendocino National Forest and bordered by Salt and Middle creeks.
Noting that he believes in taking care of one's land, he said he's kept the property native, with its big pines, Douglas fir and madrone trees. He said bears, turkeys, foxes and other wild critters make their home there as well.
In the nearly four decades that he's lived in the county, Lewis said he's seen the population grow form about 26,000 to nearly 68,000 now. He favors incremental growth.
“I wouldn't want to see it just get paved over,” he said. “None of us want to see that.”
He's owned a hardware store in Upper Lake which he later sold – and which he said he wished he hadn't, as it later closed – before running a business selling pumps and water systems that he also later sold and now is operated at AAA Pumps.
From there he went into financial planning, a job that took him away from Lake County too much. So he came home and applied for a job in the county's Code Compliance Division, where he worked from 1993 to 1997. He said it was an interesting job and he learned a lot doing it.
When he heard that then-Supervisor Louise Talley wasn't going to seek reelection, he decided to run, and took office in 1999.
During his eight years in office he said he took more than 8,000 calls and was proud of the fact that he always returned them and tried to help people.
He said he never dreamed he would be in government, but he enjoyed the work. “I really have a passion for just solving problems,” he said, noting that's one of the reasons he jumped into this year's race.
“I didn't join in because I have animosity or anger. I am perfectly content in my lifestyle,” he said.
Today, he works in sales and marketing for Mendo Mill, chairs the Northshore Business Association, takes part in activities with Upper Lake's town council and is chair of the local Resource Advisory Committee, which helps determine projects paid for by funds received the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, which distributes money to areas based on historic timber receipts.
He's also a member of an advisory commission that makes recommendations to the federal government regarding best usages for lands on the coast. “It's been a lot of fun,” he said of working with the group.
Lewis, who was treated for prostate cancer several years ago, said he's doing well, with no signs of the cancer's recurrence, and he's taking care of himself, exercising and eating right to stay healthy.
A low key campaign
He said he's doing his campaign work on evenings and weekends, speaking to people about their concerns, many of which center around the economy. However, Lewis said he has no keys issues or platforms.
He said he's looking at the total picture of tourism, agriculture, seniors needs and young kids “and how it all comes together.”
Lewis sees the county's fiscal challenges, and how county government will need to tighten its belt and possibly lay off people at a time when unemployment locally is higher than he's ever seen it.
At his church, Upper Lake United Methodist, where he's chair of the board of trustees, they're seeing more people seeking help, with church members donating canned food and clothing to help community members in need. Increasingly, neighbors are going to have to help neighbors, he said.
Regarding the economy, Lewis said the issue will be how to get things moving. “We're never going to be an industrial or commercial hub, nor do I think anybody wants it that way.”
He said the county needs to maintain its agriculture and tourism industries, and he said it needs to be made more tourism friendly.
That's one of the reasons he said he spoke in favor of the Cristallago resort and housing project, proposed to be located in north Lakeport. He said the project will be a good use for the land, and will offer a “phenomenal” resort aspect.
“That's the kind of thing that will make Lake County survive, is the resort tourism industry,” he said.
Other issues Lewis is hearing about from community members are marijuana growing and its impacts on the local economy, the rising costs of needed services – like water in Lucerne – and parents' worries that their children won't be able to stay in the county due to lack of jobs, which he said always has been a concern. There also are challenges for businesses, which he said don't need increasing mandates from government.
He points out that local government can do a lot for the community. Redevelopment on the Northshore has been a big success, he said, and downtown Upper Lake looks “beautiful” in the wake of a project there.
The Upper Lake project has had some community members up in arms because of the changes to the streets, but, he added, “I think people are starting to appreciate it.”
The changes to the downtown are attracting visitors, he said.
“Economically, I think it's a real plus for our whole community,” said Lewis, pointing to the work of local businesses like the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon and Cafe, and antique store owner Tony Oliveira, who are boosting the boutique aspects of the town.
He said he would like to see the county take a more active role in helping businesses deal with regulations – such as those enforced by Environmental Health – and assisting people in staying in their homes during the foreclosure crisis.
“The county needs to be proactive, I believe, in trying to work with banks,” he said, suggesting they could convince the banks to renegotiate mortgages and put people on rental agreements so homes don't degenerate.
“There's nothing worse than desperate people,” he said. “They do desperate things.”
Lake County is increasingly going to have to fend for itself, said Lewis, with the state wanting more of its money. “We're really going to have to watch and help one another,” he said.
He said he's not making any promises, but has pledged to work with people on their concerns, as long as they understand that everyone has to work as a team.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE – Help keep Clearlake Skate Park open while enjoying live music and a barbecue lunch at the third annual Andy Day at the Andy Johnson Memorial Skate Park Saturday.
The event will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at 14077 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
In addition to lunch there will be t-shirts and a raffle drawing.
The park, open to both skateboards and BMX bikes, was closed for repairs due to broken and cracked surface panels, specifically a big hole in one of the ramps, said Ken Savin, a member of the Clearlake Skate Park Committee.
“The city has been good about using the materials that were purchased in the summer of 2008 by a grant from the Redbud Health Care District,” said Savin.
However, those parts were used up and, due to liability concerns, the park had to be closed until funds could be secured for new material to do repairs, Savin explained.
Savin said he and some of the other skate park committee members put together another grant proposal to Redbud Health Care District to receive funds for repairs.
Last November the Redbud Health Care District responded to the grant proposal with another $3,500, Savin reported. Aside from ramp repairs, that donation also helped purchase helmets for kids who use the park.
The park was reopened Feb. 24, Savin said.
Repairs have been, and will most likely continue to be, ongoing – especially since the riding surface is not concrete but Skatelite, he said.
Skatelite is the industry standard used for ramps at the XGames and Dew Action Tour, Savin said. It is expensive, running around $200 or so a sheet, so the group only orders it when we can get a larger order to help reduce the price by quantity.
Pouring concrete ramps and walls would be the ideal solution for the park, as concrete requires much less maintenance, Savin explained.
“We hope to maybe raise some money to make some real changes or improvements to the park, but that is far down the road, I think,” said Savin.
He said the city of Ukiah is in the process of beginning a cement park. They have been raising money for the last 20 years, with the cost projected to be over $1 million.
Other options for Clearlake might include an indoor location to reduce the impact of the weather and elements on the ramps. Savin said that would require money to purchase or rent, or someone willing to donate property.
The Andy Johnson Memorial Skate Park was named after young skateboarder and BMX rider, Andy Johnson, who died in a car crash at the young age of 18 in 2006, as Lake County News has reported.
Savin said then that there used to be animosity between skateboarders and BMX riders, but Johnson – who participated in both sports – helped those two groups to unite.
Pictures of the park along with short descriptions are available at www.concretedisciples.com and www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7FKV_Andy_Johnson_Memorial_Skatepark_Clearlake_CA.
E-mail Tera deVroede at
KELSEYVILLE – A Kelseyville woman has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving following an early morning crash on Wednesday.
Yesenia Lopez, 25, was injured in the crash, as was her 15-year-old female passenger from Santa Rosa, according to Officer Steve Tanguay of the California Highway Patrol.
At about 1:17 a.m. Wednesday Lopez was driving her 1990 Toyota Corolla westbound on Bell Hill Road, east of Boggs Lane, Tanguay reported.
While negotiating a righthand turn in the roadway, Lopez lost control of her vehicle. The CHP report said that Lopez's Toyota traveled to the left and crossed the eastbound lane of traffic and went off of the road into a dirt and grass field.
The Toyota then came back to the right and back onto the road, crossed both lanes of traffic and went off of the road north of the roadway and struck a tree, Tanguay reported.
He said Lopez and the teenage passenger were not wearing their seat belts and were thrown forward into the windshield.
Lopez sustained injuries to her pelvis and was transported by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Tanguay reported. The juvenile passenger sustained injuries to her head, hands and hip, and was transported to Sutter-Lakeside Hospital before being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center.
Lopez was placed under arrest for felony DUI due to the injuries sustained by her passenger, said Tanguay.
He said the collision is being investigated by Officer Korey Reynolds.
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During the day on Wednesday and into the evening, many residents were seen fishing and boating on Clear Lake as temperatures topped out in the low 70s.
Late Wednesday, Clear Lake was at 7.42 feet Rumsey according to the US Geological Survey gauge, rising from 7.20 feet Rumsey on Sunday, as previously reported.
A full lake is 7.56 feet Rumsey, according to Lake County's Water Resources Division.
Skies should continue to be clear Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, although temperatures will be slightly cooler than on Wednesday and only reach in to the low- to mid-60s.
The weekend is forecast to start off partly sunny on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, as temperatures begin to slide downward as a low-pressure system moves in to Lake County. Saturday daytime highs are forecast to reach only into the 50s.
On Sunday, the chance of rain returns and increases throughout the day and into the evening, the National Weather Service predicts, with a daytime high only in the low 50s.
Throughout the week, overnight lows are expected to remain above freezing in most areas of Lake County according to the National Weather Service.
That prediction is good news for area farmers who have had to wake in the early mornings before dawn several times in the past few days to implement frost protection measures.
E-mail Terre Logsdon at
The special day of activities and fun for people of all ages will be held at Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive, in Clearlake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be free food, fun, live music, information about the US Census and help completing the forms.
People will be counted regardless of immigration status, age and whether or not they live in transitional housing.
All information shared with US Census workers will be confidential.
Counting everyone in the community is important in order to bring much-needed federal funding for health and education services to the county.
Each person missed on the 2010 Census will cost the community more than $2,900 in programs and services, according to the US Census Bureau.
As of Wednesday, the national mail participation rate for the 2010 Census was at 63 percent, the agency reported. The top five states are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan.
California's return rate was 61 percent on Wednesday, according to the mail participate rate tracker located at http://2010.census.gov.
Lake County's rate thus far is 52 percent, which puts it behind neighboring counties. The county's overall participation rate in 2000 was 54 percent.
Within the county, Lakeport has a 63-percent return rate, while Clearlake is at 51 percent, the US Census reported.
Until the middle of April, the US Census will accept forms by mail. Afterward, US Census workers will visit homes in order to count people who have not returned the forms by mail.
For help completing the 2010 Census form, contact the US Census Bureau seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 866-872-6868 (English) or 866-928-2010 (Spanish).
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The meeting will take place at the Lake County Office of Education, 1152 S. Main St., Lakeport.
The focus will be on strategies for the group’s goals and next steps.
The Lake County Respect For All Task Force, a group of local individuals, is striving to increase awareness about safe and inclusive learning environments. The group is working to identify possible actions to help the Lake County community.
A look at the Lake County project, including interviews of task force members, was recently featured on Scott Shafer’s “California Report” on KQED.
Individuals interested in helping the task force in its efforts to assist youth and their families in assuring safe and inclusive learning environments are invited to attend the meetings.
More information about the Respect For All Task Force is available on the GroundSpark Web site, www.groundspark.org. Individuals planning to attend the meeting should notify Joan Reynolds by sending an email,
The Respect For All Project, a program of GroundSpark (www.groundspark.org), in cooperation with Lake County Healthy Start and Lake County Family Resource Center, is collaborating with local educators, high school students, community leaders, and representatives from a variety of organizations.
Lake County was chosen as one of three California counties for the pilot project. The task force has been meeting periodically over the last 15 months.
Respect For All Project coordinators Chung and Barry Chersky have traveled from the Bay Area on several occasions to facilitate meetings of the group. However, cuts in funding have now prohibited the two from continuing their visits to Lake County. The group of local volunteers has pledged to continue the work started by the committee.
A proposal for the Lake County project explains that GroundSpark, The Respect for All Project (RFAP) “is a nonprofit organization that seeks to create safe, hate-free schools and communities by providing youth and the adults who guide their development the tools they need to talk openly about diversity in all of its forms.”
As part of its work toward safe and inclusive learning environments, task force members identified a list of goals and split up responsibilities.
The goals include identifying community resources, networking and expanding the task force, pursuing support for gay/straight alliances, developing and fundraising for Challenge Day events at schools, and reviewing policies and implementation strategies.
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