I”ve been lucky to have lived in Lake County for over 30 years. Like all residents and visitors to this area, I enjoy the cleanest air in the state, uncrowded roads and Clear Lake. This community has supported my business. In turn I have supported many causes for the good of the community and invested in a fair bit of Lake County real estate on which I pay substantial taxes. Both my children were raised here, went away to school and returned to start their own businesses. I am an active member of the community, having been elected to my local school board three times, been president of the Lakeport Rotary Club and a member of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce. There are very few individuals who would benefit more from rampant growth in our area than me.
Recently, the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorsed a political candidate for county supervisor. The public should be aware of the fact that the members of the chamber did not have an opportunity to vote on this action.
I attended a meeting of the chamber just a week ago where this was not on the agenda and was not discussed with the general membership. It appears that a small group of like-minded political activists within the membership were appointed as the newly formed “Government Affairs Committee” (aptly named “GAC”) who took it upon themselves to recommend to the board of directors that they endorse one candidate in part because the other was endorsed by the Sierra Club and “environmentalists”!
Neither candidate was given the opportunity to address the committee or the general membership. The vote by the directors to accept GAC”s recommendation was not unanimous.
It is my perspective that the reason so many of us choose to live here is in fact Lake County”s superior environmental qualities. Quality growth is always welcome, but we don”t need rubber stamps in office who are willing to trample frail and teetering Mother Nature to grab another fistful of dollars. If you”re here for a quick buck, you should consider moving on; this isn”t the place for you. If you want to speak for me, you better discuss it with me first.
Like many members of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce I considered quitting in disgust when I became aware of this travesty, but after giving it a few days to gain perspective I have decided this is the time to get more involved instead. I encourage others to do so as well.
Lowell Grant
Lakeport
