LAKEPORT — The Genetically Engineered Crops Advisory Committee pared down to seven members and two alternates Tuesday by the unanimous decision of the Lake County Board of Supervisors.
The board asked the committee to come back in February with a recommendation on use of genetically engineered crops in Lake County. Down from 19 members, the new committee includes Michelle Scully, Lars Crail, Victoria Brandon, Broc Zoller, JoAnn Saccato, Melissa Fulton, Andre Ross and alternates Lorrie Gray and Marc Hooper.
“Being optimistic, I think we”re in the final stages,” Supervisor Anthony Farrington said. “We”ll draw the line in the sand in February.”
Chuck March, executive director of the Lake County Farm Bureau, said he was in favor of the proposition in front of board Tuesday and thinks more meetings will result in a stalemate.
Victoria Brandon of the Lake County Sierra Club said she thinks the smaller committee can come to an agreement in two meetings and that they might as well finish what they started.
The Board addressed a number of other issues at the meeting Tuesday in the County Courthouse.
Supervisor Jeff Smith brought up the issue of restricting tobacco sales near schools, which the board will revisit. They agreed an ordinance might not be effective and that enforcing existing tobacco sales laws would prevent minors from buying the products.
The board unanimously voted to direct staff to support having a town clock in Upper Lake. Staff will try to find the old town clock; otherwise the board agreed the county would pay 75 percent of the cost. Board members said they”re open to the possibility of working with the Lake County Community Action Agency on developing a one-stop support campus for low-income residents at 15837 18th Ave. in Clearlake. The board voted to award an $82,720 bid to Holder Ford to buy three 4-wheel drive trucks for Public Works.
Supervisor Denise Rushing presented a proclamation designating this month as World AIDS Month in Lake County.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
