LAKE COUNTY ? It”s bon voyage for Skip Simkins, 62. After 25 years as coordinator for Lake County Lakebed Management, Simkins is ready to pull the anchor and sail on into retirement.
Simkins, who was born and raised in Kelseyville, said he plans to live out his golden years, lakeside at his south county home.
Simkins has spent the past 34 years working for the County of Lake, having been employed in the public works department prior to his 25-year stint with lakebed management.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my job. I have a real love for our lake and I really enjoy working with the public,” Simkins said. “I took pleasure in welcoming guests and new homeowners to the county. Many newcomers to our community do not understand how a natural lake really works. I had many opportunities to educate and enlighten those unfamiliar with Clear Lake.”
Simkins” primary duties included overseeing all pier construction, navigational light maintenance, county swim areas, maintaining all county buoys, algae response, aquatic plant management, flood response as well as several other duties related to Clear Lake and its management. He said he gained advantage in the position with the knowledge shared by his predecessor.
“I was lucky because of my mentor, Nick Kadinger, who had been with the program since its inception in 1977. I had a real benefit of historical knowledge that he had to share,” Simkins said.
Simkins shared a bit of that history. He said in the early 70s local citizens petitioned state legislators to gain local control over the lake. “Senator Randolph Collier was instrumental in transferring control to Lake County in 1973. He got the ball rolling in the county taking control of its future with the lake,” he said. “Without the county stepping in and taking control of Clear Lake it would have been administered by the State of California State Lands Commission. Local control of the lake is vital to our economy.”
Simkins said in 1992, lakebed management was absorbed by the Department of Public Works. “The transition was good. My job really never changed,” he said. “I was still pretty much allowed to continue my responsibilities with added duties of flood response and overseeing maintenance of Highland Springs Recreation Area.”
Simkins said he will walk away from the job with many fond memories of accomplishment. He said the one project that he is particularly proud of waits on the horizon. “One project that I”m really proud of that hasn”t been built yet is Serenity Cove (formerly Garner”s Resort). They are planning a major construction overhaul that is expected to include a marina, restaurant and condominium complex,” he said. “It”s my understanding that the project has been approved on all official levels and it is just waiting for finance to begin.”
Simkins said that although he is looking forward to retirement, he is also looking forward to working as his own boss. He plans to rededicate himself to his personal enterprise, “Skip”s Marine Concepts,” which offers consulting services from concept to construction of marine amenities. “I figure with all my experience with this lake I should put that knowledge to use by helping homeowners accomplish projects with our lake”s health in mind,” he said.
Simkins” official retirement date is Oct. 20. “Skip is the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to the geography and dynamics of the lake. His long tenure with the county made him a valuable asset on lake structures and lakeshore management issues,” Pam Francis, Lake County Water Resources deputy director said.
“The water resources division will miss him and we”re hoping he will come back part time to help us out. We wish him the best in his retirement.”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
