I encourage other Lake County residents to join me in bidding a fond farewell to Patricia Wiggins, who leaves office in November after representing us in the state Senate for the last four years.

In just that short time, Pat has authored multiple pieces of legislation which have benefited people and businesses in Lake County.

In 2008, she ushered Senate Bill 607 though the Legislature in record time. Her bill, which the governor signed in June of that year, legalized competitions for home winemakers.

SB 607, which became law immediately, effectively saved a major source of fundraising for the Clear Lake Performing Arts, which promotes classical music and other artist endeavors in our county.

In 2007, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 319, another Wiggins bill that extended an exemption to state labor law allowing 16- and 17-year-olds in Lake County to work up to 10 hours a day and up to 60 hours a week in agricultural packing plants during harvest season (when school is not in session). This bill benefited both agricultural businesses and working families in our county.

While her time in the state Legislature will soon draw to a close, I feel that it is important for us to recognize Pat’s efforts on behalf of Lake County – as well as on behalf of her Senate District as a whole, not to mention our state – and to thank her for her work.

Wanda Harris lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.