To the people of Lake County:

As of Jan. 20, 2009, I am the former District 1 planning commissioner. On this exciting and spectacular day of the inauguration of new president, Barack Obama, my term has come to an end — not that there is any connection between these two events.

I would like to thank former Supervisor Ed Robey for giving me the opportunity to serve. It has been a challenging, rewarding, educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience. While serving as planning commissioner, I have had the opportunity to explore some very special places throughout the county, and to meet the most incredible people, and to be involved in our local government.

As many of you know, the Lake County Planning Commission is charged with the responsibility of making land use decisions that affect the future growth and development of Lake County. Those decisions should be based on reasonable and logical growth patterns that take into account the health, safety, and welfare of the people and the environment. Those decisions should also be consistent with our newly adopted General Plan, the Lake County Zoning Ordinance, the California Environmental Quality Act and numerous other local, state and federal agency regulations. Additionally, those decisions should represent the desire of the people of Lake County both today and for future generations.

At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting during which former Supervisor Ed Robey was honored for his many years of public service, District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington stated, “We did not inherit this land from our grandparents, we are borrowing it from our grandchildren.” Mr. Ed Robey, Supervisor Farrington and I trust that Supervisor Jim Comstock and his newly appointed planning commissioner are among many who endeavor to uphold this philosophy. However, protecting and preserving our land is also the responsibility of the people in each of our communities.

I encourage everyone to be involved in the future of Lake County. The Lake County Planning Commission is a public hearing, the supervisors can be contacted by phone, email, fax or at their weekly meetings. Individuals need to be heard not just the voices of special interest groups or developers. The elected and appointed decision makers can make better decisions if they hear a wider range of perspectives — it is similar to the sound of a symphony orchestra verses that of teenagers playing the drums and an electric guitar in the garage; not that I have anything against youth and their interest in music.

Finally, I would like to thank all of those who supported my appointment as the District 1 planning commissioner. It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Lake County and the District 1 community.

Monica Rosenthal, former District 1 planning commissioner, lives near Middletown.

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