LAKE COUNTY — Expressing mixed emotions with the action, the Lake County Board of Supervisors commended the 25-year service of Tim Prather Tuesday and wished him well in his retirement. Prather had served the County of Lake since 1985.
District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, beginning the presentation of the proclamation in jest, said that he has known Prather since childhood and said that he took the liberty of re-writing the document. Following the statement with a laugh, Brown said he refrained when he realized that someday he himself may retire and he wouldn”t want Prather returning the favor.
“It is with mixed emotion that I do offer this because I think usually we see retirement as something where we wish the person well. But, I wish Tim would reconsider and maybe come back and I sincerely mean that,” Brown said. “I think we are losing somebody that has been extremely beneficial to the county and it”s not only going to be hard to replace, I don”t think it”s going to be possible to replace Tim.”
Prather received a standing ovation upon acceptance of the proclamation. “It”s easy to achieve a lot when you have great people work with and that”s who really gets the credit for it,” he said. “Thank-you.”
The proclamation read into record reads as follows:
“Whereas, Tim Prather, a graduate of Kelseyville High School, owned his own construction company and was involved in a long standing family logging business prior to coming to work for the County of Lake; and
“Whereas, Tim was hired on Nov. 25, 1985 as a mechanic trainee, was promoted the next year to Heavy Equipment Mechanic, and in 1995, was hired as heavy equipment/fleet maintenance superintendent; and
“Whereas, under Tim”s guidance and example of strong work ethics, the County”s Automotive Fleet Facility and Heavy Equipment Maintenance Facility improved their efficiency and productivity benefiting the County of Lake and its taxpayers; and
“Whereas, along with showing exemplary skills in mechanics, and being one of the most experienced Welders ever employed by the Public Works Department, Tim was commended by the California Highway Patrol for his administration of the Biennial Terminal Inspection (BIT) program; and
“Whereas, Tim”s versatility and willingness to assume responsibility have been greatly appreciated by elected officials and County staff over the years, leading them to nominate and award him with numerous commendations including Outstanding Employee of the Year in 1994; and
“Whereas, after more than 25 years of distinguished public service, Tim Prather will retire from the County of Lake on Feb. 8, 2011.
“Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that Tim Prather is hereby commended for his commitment, dedication, and invaluable service to the citizens of Lake County for more than 25 years, and is congratulated and wholeheartedly extended the best wishes upon his well-deserved retirement from County service. Issued this 8th day of February, 2011.”
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
