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- Written by: Susan Stout
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mendo Lake Credit Union (MLCU) is the recipient of the Credit Union Times’ 2016 Trailblazer Award for Outstanding Service to the Underserved.
MLCU was recently honored at the Credit Union National Association gathering in Washington, D.C.
MLCU Chairman of the Board Rob Scott of Westport and Chief Financial Officer David Rhoades of Ukiah attended the meeting to receive the award on behalf of MLCU.
“As board chair, I am extremely proud of what MLCU has been able to create by focusing on serving those who might not otherwise have access to traditional banking services,” said Scott.
With branches in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Lakeport and Ukiah, the credit union takes a proactive approach to assisting the Mendocino and Lake communities.
MLCU President and CEO Richard Cooper noted that in recognizing MLCU, “the Credit Union Times cited the institution’s reputation as a community do-gooder,” something Cooper credits to his staff’s strong commitment to serve those in the community that might have had issues with previous banking relationships and to the institution’s partnership with community businesses and organizations.
“From our front line to our board of directors, the entire team is engaged and committed to our vision of making Mendocino and Lake counties better places to live and work. That's as good as it gets!” said Cooper.
In a Feb. 21 story about the selection of MLCU for the award, the Credit Union Times pointed to staff members’ willingness to “take chances on those who are having financial trouble, have formed strong relationships with local organizations and even competitors, and were some of the first to initiate relief efforts during the Valley Fire that crippled” Lake County’s south region last fall.
MLCU first opened in 1959 to serve local school employees but opened its membership up to the community in the 1980s.
“MLCU's commitment to serving the underserved has not only supported the local economy and helped members become more financially secure; it's resulted in significant growth at the credit union,” noted the Credit Union Times.
From 2007 to 2015, MLCU experienced membership growth of 148 percent (11,281 to 28,000), asset growth of 211 percent ($69.6 million to $216.1 million) and loan growth of 120 percent ($58.7 million to $129.3 million).
“Partnering with local organizations to serve the community is another priority for MLCU. Two key partnerships are with the charitable organization North Coast Opportunities, with which the credit union organized successful fire relief programs over the past year, and the Economic Development and Financing Organization, which MLCU partners with for business loans. MLCU also helps bring financial education into local classrooms by sponsoring Banzai, an online financial literacy program.”
One of the reasons MLCU works well with the underserved community, according to Cooper, is that employees are great at making members feel comfortable simply because they have so much in common with them.
“It's a comfort zone,” Cooper told the Credit Union Times. “You might come into the branch straight from the field with mud all over you and a worried look that says, ‘How am I going to repair my car or maybe even feed my kids?’ And you’ll be able to talk to someone who can actually help you and who speaks your language – in more ways than one.”
Many staff members speak Spanish as well as English.
Mendo Lake Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative and has been serving members’ financial needs since 1959.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced new legislation to help save water during heavy rains that would otherwise flow out to the ocean.
Dodd’s bill will make it easier for farmers to use small ponds to collect and save water during wet months, which means less water will need to be pumped from streams and rivers when flows are low.
“As a member of the Environmental Caucus and Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, I’m happy to introduce common sense water policy that will benefit both farmers and fish,” said Dodd. “This legislation continues to build on the foundation set forth by Congressman Jared Huffman during his time in the California State Assembly. This represents another step towards thoughtful water policy that protects our environment and economy in the face of drought.”
Many farmers in the Central Coast and North Coast rely on water from streams that support salmon and steelhead.
Some of these agricultural water diversions occur during the drier irrigation season when streamflow is naturally low and infant salmon and steelhead populate the streams.
In 2011, former Assembly member and current Congressman Jared Huffman was the first to establish a registration system for small irrigation ponds, which reduce the need for diversions from streams in dry months.
Due to differing and complex regulations from the state agencies involved, very few farmers have been able to take advantage of the program.
Dodd’s legislation, Assembly Bill 1704, builds upon that measure by creating a simple, more efficient process for farmers to register those ponds.
In a related effort to improve the reliability of the state water supply, Assemblyman Dodd also has recently introduced the Open and Transparent Water Data Act.
The act will provide a system for documenting water transfers to better enable water managers to cope with current and future drought conditions.
"I would like to acknowledge Assemblymember Dodd's leadership on this important aspect of water data collection and management. I also appreciate his willingness to continue working with the water community to refine and improve upon the proposal,” said Grant Davis, general manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency. “The value of creating a statewide clearinghouse is that it allows us to make informed decisions based on data that already exist but are currently out of reach.”
Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Solano, Yolo and Colusa counties. You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 'Spring Has Sprung' open house on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
The free mixer will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Theater Building at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
There will be music, appetizers, fire dance by Sarah, and an opportunity to win prizes.
The open house with a luau theme will feature 20 business members of the chamber talking to attendees about their products and services.
The Chamber Board of Directors will staff a no-host bar during the evening.
Tony Barthel of Nerds For Normals will be the DJ and announcing for the open house. Other businesses attending at this time and serving their favorite appetizers include Alterations by Merri, Dancing at the Crossroads Counseling, Fresh and Bangin’ Eatery, O’Meara Bros. Brewery, Management Connections, Lange Carpet Shampooing, Neils Construction, NetEnterpriser, Orchid Realty, Photo LaQuinta, Julie Richardson – Realtor & Notary, Sterling Mortgage, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Horizon Contracting Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank-Safeway location.
All those attending – businesses and the general public – will be able to cast their vote for a favorite appetizer. The winner will be refunded their space fee.
For more information call the chamber at 707-263-5092.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Realtor Associate Elizabeth Davis with Coldwell Banker Towne & Country
obtained Overall Top Producer for Sales and Units, which qualified her for Diamond Society again in 2015.
It's the fourth consecutive year she has won the award.
Davis also continues as top producer for the company for 14 years running.
“Elizabeth has been consistent year after year, in delivering concierge-type service to her sellers and buyers,” said owner/broker Marsha Holder. “She is passionate, reliable and follows through. Her sales in both 2013 and 2014 each exceeded $7 million, and $7.7 million in 2015.”
Davis has served as director on the Lake County Association of Realtors Board for seven years and is an active member of Lakeport Rotary for 24 years.
When asked to what she attributes her success, Davis said, “If you put in the hours in anything in life, and you call people back, you are on your way to being successful. Strategic use of the Internet is certainly essential these days.”
Elizabeth Davis can be reached to 707-350-0090.