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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Scott Harter, who has served as Special Districts deputy administrator, has been appointed as administrator.
“We are excited to see Scott step up to this new challenge,” said Board Chair Moke Simon. “His varied background with county and city agencies has been a great asset in recent years, and this will be an opportunity for him to expand his contributions even more while providing a sense of continuity for Special Districts’ staff.”
Harter will succeed Jan Coppinger, who is retiring after as Special Districts administrator. She has served in the position since 2016.
Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein told Lake County News that Harter’s hire was confirmed following a closed session discussion on Tuesday. A special meeting last week also had included a closed session on the Special Districts administrator appointment.
Harter was one of two candidates considered for the job, Rothstein said.
Harter holds a civil engineering degree from California State University, Chico, and has served in public agencies in Lake County since 1996.
Over the past 24 years, Harter has served as a civil engineer for both the county and city of Lakeport, taken on interim responsibilities in Community Development and Information Technology and, most recently, overseen projects of great county import as deputy Special Districts administrator, the county reported.
“The retirement of Jan Coppinger affects the county in a number of ways,” said Simon. “Scott has worked right alongside her, and understands the void that she leaves. Scott is well qualified to take up the reins, quickly identify gaps, and move the Special Districts Administration forward in a positive direction.”
Special Districts is the water and wastewater agency of the county of Lake.
It oversees the operation of five water systems and four wastewater systems serving more than 40,000 people in 21 communities within Lake County.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
National Wreaths Across America Day will take place this year on Saturday, Dec. 19.
This year’s theme is, “Be An American Worth Fighting For.”
This will be the 14th year that Lake County has participated in the program to place wreaths on the graves of veterans in six local cemeteries. The mission is to “Remember, Honor, Teach.”
In the first year, seven ceremonial wreaths were placed in Lake County for the seven divisions of the military during a WAA Ceremony at the Hartley Cemetery.
Ceremonies are now held at Hartley, Kelseyville, Upper Lake, Lower Lake, St. Mary’s and Middletown cemeteries.
In 2019, 2.2 million veterans’ wreaths were placed across the country in all 50 states – 254,000 of them at Arlington National Cemetery.
More than two million volunteers participated last year at 2,158 locations nationwide, with 38,500 volunteers laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. More than a third of the volunteers across the country were children.
Approximately 600 truckloads of wreaths were delivered across the country by hundreds of volunteer professional truck drivers using donated equipment and fuel from approximately 250 carriers.
Boy Scout Troop 42 in Lakeport, Girl Scouts and Big Valley 4-H in Kelseyville, the Lake County 4-H Group in Lower Lake and FFA in Upper Lake and Middletown will be accepting donations for wreaths until Dec. 2.
Individual sponsorships cost $15 for one wreath and the family option costs $60 for four wreaths, small businesses can fund 10 wreaths for $150 and corporations can sponsor 100 or more wreaths for $1,500 or any amount can be sponsored for $15 per wreath.
Toni Funderburg, coordinator of Wreaths Across America in Lake County, said sponsorship forms can be picked up at Lakeport Tire & Auto Service, 1901 S. Main St. in Lakeport, or you can call 707-263-5422 and they will fax or email you a sponsorship form.
To sponsor a wreath online, go to https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/CA0090P or to choose another cemetery or sponsor group in Lake County visit the Wreaths Across America website.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Driven to make a difference, the California Highway Patrol has implemented a yearlong Adult Distracted Drivers grant designed to keep California roads safe through education and enforcement.
CHP officers throughout the state will host in-person presentations and use Web-based or virtual platforms to conduct distracted driving traffic safety presentations.
In addition, the CHP will conduct several distracted driving enforcement operations through Sept. 30, 2021.
“Distracted driving continues to be a serious issue on our roadway, and it is entirely avoidable,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “With the support of this grant, we can implement lifesaving efforts throughout California that will raise awareness and hopefully change dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”
Multitasking behind the wheel places extra demands on the driver, which can have tragic consequences.
On average, there are more than 20,000 drivers in California involved in a crash every year where inattention is a factor. “These statistics are likely much higher and are often under-reported to law enforcement since motorists do not always admit to driving distracted,” Commissioner Stanley added.
While there are many forms of inattention, cell phones continue to be the main source of diversion. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is not only a violation of the vehicle code, it is also an unsafe activity behind the wheel. Drivers should only use a phone when necessary and in a hands-free mode.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday administered the oath of office to California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray, a historic move making her the first woman in its 91-year history to lead the largest state law enforcement agency in the nation.
Newsom appointed Ray as the 16th commissioner on Oct. 20, following the retirement announcement of Commissioner Warren Stanley after 38 years of service with the CHP.
“I am thankful to Gov. Newsom for trusting me to lead this exceptional organization and honored to follow in the footsteps of many innovative leaders who have come before me, including my friend, Warren Stanley,” Ray said.
“I would not be where I am today without the foresight of those in 1974 who decided to give women the opportunity to become CHP officers, paving the way for many women to assume leadership roles in the Department,” Ray said. “I look forward to further guiding the department and its 11,000 women and men in engaging with the communities we serve to ensure California remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”
Ray began her career with the CHP in 1990, rising through the ranks to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner in February 2020.
She has served as incident commander during several high-profile events, including the Department’s response to COVID-19, civil unrest and wildfires.
Ray has appointed two members to her executive management team. They are Jim Epperson as deputy commissioner, her second-in-command responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department, and Ryan Okashima as assistant commissioner, staff, who will oversee the administrative functions of the department, including a $2.8 billion budget, departmental training, information technology, and personnel administration.
Rich Stewart was previously promoted in August to the position of assistant commissioner, field, responsible for all patrol and air operations throughout the state as well as protective services.
