The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District boardroom, 19400 Hartman Road.

Under unfinished business, the group will receive a report from Supervisor Jim Comstock and discuss MATH's goals for 2010.

Under new business, the group will hear from guest speaker Karen Brooks, candidate for state Assembly in the First District.

MATH will accept letters of resignation from several members and call for nominations to succeed them, and will discuss MATH's presence on the Middletown Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee.

MATH meetings are subject to videotaping. Meeting proceedings may be available for viewing on public access television and/or the Internet.

A municipal advisory council, MATH serves the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (includes HVL), Long Valley and Middletown.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The second annual Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Knowledge Faire will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14970 Lakeview Way in Clearlake.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Lake County Fire Protection District and the Lake County Sheriff's Mobile Command Unit will once again be on hand.

Community members are invited to attend and learn from professionals in the community how to have a community emergency evacuation plan; how to make a 72-hour emergency grab and go kit; how to make your family self-sufficient; basic first aid; how to start your own emergency food storage at home; cooking demonstrations with your food storage; and many other great ideas and tips to help you know what to do in an emergency.

Call Lisa for more information at 707-998-1800.

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura today announced the retirement of California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer after 26 years at CDFA. His retirement is effective Sept. 30.

“Dr. Breitmeyer leaves state service as one of the most respected animal health authorities in the nation,” said Secretary Kawamura. “His leadership in public policy is highly valued by governments and veterinary organizations alike. I want to thank him for his tireless commitment to public service. We owe him a monumental debt of gratitude.”

Dr. Breitmeyer joined CDFA in 1984 as a veterinary medical officer and has served as state veterinarian since 1993, under three governors.

In that role, Dr. Breitmeyer served at the executive level as California’s state, national and international representative on all animal health issues affecting California and the nation, and was the principal advisor to the agriculture secretary for all food safety and animal health issues affecting California.

Among Dr. Breitmeyer’s national leadership positions is a current term as president of the United States Animal Health Association.

Effective immediately, Secretary Kawamura has named Dr. Annette Whiteford to replace Dr. Breitmeyer as state veterinarian.

Dr. Whiteford has been with CDFA since 2001 and has served as director of the division of Animal Health and Food Safety Services since 2004. In 2002-03, she served as area and incident commander for California's successful fight to eradicate exotic Newcastle disease.

The response involved multiple local, state and federal agencies with up-to 1,500 people on the ground at one time. Dr. Whiteford will assume the duties of state veterinarian while retaining the director position.

Dr. Whiteford received her veterinary degree in 1998 from UC Davis and spent three years in private practice before joining the Department. She also spent eight years working for business firms in the private sector before choosing to enter veterinary school.

“Dr. Whiteford has more than demonstrated that she has the talent and experience to excel as State Veterinarian,” said Secretary Kawamura. “I look forward to working with her and have confidence that she will distinguish herself in the position for many years to come.”

SACRAMENTO – The State Senate has approved a bill by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) that allows the State Lands Commission to fine those who build or own unlawful structures on state lands.

AB 2664 awaits action by the governor. The bill also includes a six-month amnesty period to allow violators to comply with the law.

“Many of these illegal structures built impede public access to state lands,” Chesbro said. “Examples of this include fences into lakes and in some cases across state parks. The State Lands Commission often has to enter into costly litigation to battle those who build on public lands without proper permits.”

AB 2664 would allow the State Lands Commission to directly impose administrative penalties on violators.

The penalties would be capped at no more than $1,000 per day or 60 percent more than the fair market rent for the land each day a permit is violated. Currently, the commission’s only option is to sue. This is costly and ties up resources of the Attorney General’s Office.

“This legislation would act as a deterrent and save the state money,” Chesbro said. “New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington already do this. There are safeguards built into the legislation that allow those being fined a hearing within 30 days and a six month amnesty period to allow offenders to get into compliance without being penalized.”

The State Lands Commission oversees Public Trust waterways for navigation, fishing, boating, natural habitat protection and other waterway activities.

The governor has until Sept. 30 to take action on the bill.