LAKEPORT ? The Genetically Engineered Crops Advisory Committee that could not agree on a recommendation must cut its members from 19 to seven as directed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
Board members voted 4-1 to shrink the committee to represent important groups such as organic farmers and non-organic farmers, have the group come up with regulations for genetically engineered (GE) crops and allow for votes to pass that aren”t unanimous, which had not been allowed. Supervisor Rob Brown dissented.
“I think we”re really close to some sort of oversight,” Supervisor Jeff Smith said.
Chairwoman Denise Rushing thanked the committee but said she was disappointed they didn”t agree on a recommendation.
“We put a lot of effort into this,” Rushing said.
Brown said the information the committee compiled supported the members” original opinions.
“I think their work is done,” he said.
Brown doesn”t “see an imminent threat” from GE crops, he said.
Members of the committee and public addressed the board on the GE crop issue.
After almost 10 months of debate, some committee members said the only thing the group could agree to was the county should do something. Members could not agree on whether to allow GE crops or how to regulate them.
The board also voted 4-1 to buy five parcels in downtown Middletown to create a town square. Brown voted no.
Supervisor Jim Comstock said the plaza near the future library and senior center in downtown will be aesthetically and eventually economically pleasing.
“As business develops around this it will contribute to the community and the county,” Comstock said.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said he supports the purchase because the county hasn”t made many investments in Middletown, while it has a few projects on the Northshore.
Brown said he supports having parks in every community but that Middletown already has recreational opportunities. He said he doesn”t think the county should continue to buy land when it has land no one uses. Brown doesn”t think land is usually an investment.
“That”s like saying a wedding ring is an investment,” Brown said. “Unless you plan on getting rid of it, it”s not.”
The board unanimously voted to allow the Community Development Department to send notices of nonrenewal to owners of 111 parcels that do not comply with the Williams Act, which grants agriculture plots a low tax rate. The noncompliant parcels either aren”t large enough to apply or aren”t being used for agriculture.
The board will meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the County Courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
