I moved here 10 years ago because we fell in love with Lake County, though we are not unaware of its challenges, like many rural communities with economic issues and fragile ecosystems. We can see we have even more challenges ahead.

Having managed a national consulting company that worked with supporting large organizations in times of change, I know that the critical element to ensuring future success is “leadership.”

I’m sure Daniel “Boone” Bridges is a good man, but having worked closely with many senior leaders of big companies over the last 50 years and having had a chance to talk to Jessica Pyska about the county, I am truly impressed with her leadership skills, intelligence, values, vision and ability to find solutions for the issues we face here in Lake County.

I believe we need leaders like Jessica. Though she doesn’t “brag,” I see the effort and accomplishments she has given Lake County so far and I believe retaining her as one of our leaders will make an important difference as we move into the future.

Martha Mincer lives in Kelseyville, California.