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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The election, which took place on Monday under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor, resulted in the reelection of Jessica Chernoh, Mark Coats, Kathryn Davis, Robert Kraft and Rachelle Sapeta.
They had been challenged by reform candidates Henry Bornstein, Dennis Darling, Thomas DeWalt, Denise Loustalot and Raymond Silva.
Highlands Mutual reported that the final vote count was 1,083 votes supporting its existing board of directors to 203 votes for the challengers.
The water company called the election results a “landslide win” over the city and the “reform” slate the city put forward.
“We want to thank the entire community of shareholders and supporters who worked tirelessly to ensure the community had accurate and complete information about water services in Clearlake,” said Highlands attorney Tina Wallis.
“Highlands Water Company shareholders sent a loud and clear message about wanting to keep their water services in the hands of the experts,” Wallis added.
“While the reform slate did not succeed, what the community has learned about Highlands’ water system — rates, fire system, grant funding, and expansion policies — has been extremely valuable,” Mayor David Claffey said in response to the election outcome.
Claffey said the election made clear that the city of Clearlake will hold utilities to a higher standard of accountability and transparency moving forward. “The Highlands’ board are stewards of an essential service in our community and, to meet the wants and needs of Clearlake residents, it’s critical to have safe and reliable water infrastructure.”
He added, “Residents especially want more housing, medical offices and retail, and we are working hard to bring them to Clearlake. I’m ready to work with the board to turn the page and build a stronger, more transparent partnership, grounded in fairness, collaboration and a shared vision for a thriving Clearlake.”
The new election was the result of a June lawsuit filed by the city which sought to overturn the election held April 10 during Highlands Mutual’s annual shareholder meeting.
In that election, the city presented 177 proxy votes in an attempt to have the Clearlake City Council elected. However, Highlands Mutual ruled that its existing board had been reelected with 217 votes.
In August, the case went before Lake County Superior Court Judge J. David Markham who, following oral arguments, ruled that Highlands Mutual must hold a new board election.
Markham’s ruling also determined that each lot or parcel within the district was entitled to one share in the company, and that shareholders eligible to vote were not limited only to those who have connections to the system.
That decision resulted in a new election being set for Sept. 12. However, on Sept. 5, the city sought a temporary restraining order against Highlands Mutual to stop the election until after the court had determined the correct identities of each Highlands Mutual shareholder entitled to vote in the shareholder election and a special referee had been appointed.
At that time, Flora confirmed to Lake County News that the city had taken the action because it didn't trust Highlands Mutual to accurately determine the shareholders entitled to vote for the board.
In the intervening time, the “Reform Highlands” candidates came forward to run for board seats.
The candidates are well-known community members and business owners who said they are concerned about how the district is being run.
Late last week the county of Lake issued a meeting notice for the Lake County Board of Supervisors, which had been set to hold a meeting at 8:30 a.m. Monday to determine if they would cast votes on behalf of county-owned parcels in the Highlands Mutual coverage area. However, that meeting didn’t end up taking place.
As for what’s next, Claffey said in the Wednesday issue of “Clearlake Express,” the city’s newsletter, “A strong, reliable infrastructure is required to realize further growth and I remain committed to providing that for our city. For now, that means building a stronger, more transparent partnership with the elected Highlands Water board, grounded in fairness, collaboration, and a shared vision for a thriving Clearlake.”
Claffey added, “I’m ready to work with this properly elected board to turn the page and I am optimistic they will consider the concerns raised by their shareholders, including the city of Clearlake.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a city commission or committee is a great place to start.
The City of Lakeport invites applications for the following Committees and Boards:
• Measure Z Advisory Committee;
• Lakeport Planning Commission;
• Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC.
These appointments would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2025.
Membership on these commissions and committees is voluntary. If you are interested in serving on a committee, applications are available on the city’s website here.
For additional information regarding the mission and meeting dates of each commission, please see the Maddy Act Notice at the link.
Applications are due by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Appointments will be made at a special meeting of the Lakeport City Council in early December. The meeting date is yet to be determined.
For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263‑5615, Extension. 102, or by email at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This credit will average $71 per electric bill customer. Including credits that went out in April, Californians will receive an average of $217 in bill credits during 2024.
Since 2014, Californian households have already received an average of $971 in combined automatic April and October climate credits on their utility bills, totaling more than $14 billion statewide.
“Thanks to our state’s Cap-and-Trade program, millions of Californians will see an average credit of $71 on their electric bills this month. Not only does this credit provide much-needed relief for families, it’s helping Californians make the switch to cleaner energy,” said Newsom.
Electricity bill credits this month will range from approximately $32 to $174. More than one million small businesses are also expected to receive the credit. Customers may remember receiving a similar credit on electricity bills in April.
The California Climate Credit comes from the State’s Cap-and-Trade Program, which collects funds by requiring companies to pay for climate pollution, and is managed by the California Air Resources Board.
The credit on utility bills represents the consumer’s share of the payments from the state’s program.
See how much your climate credit will be here.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This year-long initiative, from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, focuses on educating the public and enforcing traffic safety laws for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the CHP is fully committed to protecting those walking and cycling on California’s roadways.
On Oct. 9, the CHP will join schools nationwide in celebrating National Walk to School Day. CHP officers in plain clothes and uniform will monitor crosswalks and areas near schools to ensure pedestrian safety.
“Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said. “The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority. Education is the key to building a culture of safety that protects our most vulnerable road users.”
When walking, it is important to use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible as that is where drivers expect pedestrians to be. When crossing the street, remember to look left-right-left and continue scanning as you cross. Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care for your safety. At 30 miles per hour, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. It is important for drivers to follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections, especially in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding schools.
Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks. Watch for children walking or biking in areas near a school, both on the road and the sidewalk. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
Pedestrians and bicyclists account for 21 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in California. Of the 7,575 people killed between 2021 and 2023 in crashes throughout CHP jurisdiction, 1,568 were pedestrians and bicyclists.
This grant funds bicycle safety training and educational presentations to promote safe and courteous traffic safety behaviors by drivers and bicyclists, as well as safety publications, bicycle helmets, reflective gear, and other vital safety equipment.
Additionally, specialized enforcement operations will focus on areas with higher bicyclist and pedestrian traffic and crashes, and officers will also conduct public awareness campaigns in communities throughout the state.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.