LAKEPORT — Following more than two hours of discussion Tuesday and a failed motion to keep the advisory board together for at least one more meeting, the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted to disband the Medical Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance Advisory Board.
The move followed the adoption of a 45-day urgency cultivation ordinance at a special BOS meeting July 9 and the filing of a request for a temporary restraining order and injunction against Sheriff Frank Rivero and the County of Lake Thursday by an attorney on behalf of Don Merrill, who was a member of the committee.
Supervisors Denise Rushing and Anthony Farrington were members on the advisory board. Farrington said he was spending more time on the issues of the committee than his other constituents” needs, which caused him to resign from the committee.
“There comes a time to fish or cut bait,” he said. “I don”t want to spend more time on the committee.”
Rushing, who chaired the committee, said the work of the committee affected both supervisors.
“Anthony and I suffered great political and personal hits for standing by the recommendations of the committee, from both sides (of the issue),” she said. “I don”t mind doing that if I believe it is for the greater good. I”m trying to find the greater good of continuing (with the committee).”
Rushing said she would not continue on the committee if another supervisor did not join. She attempted to see if Farrington would take part in one final committee meeting during which the members would accomplish as much as possible.
“I can”t agree to it,” he said. “There are so many issues. We can”t tackle them all in one day.”
During public comment, a few people suggested District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith step in to keep the committee going.
“I would step up,” Smith said.
Farrington said he would support appointing Smith to the committee, but his support hinged upon staff no longer being involved with the committee.
Rushing made a motion to hold one more committee meeting, report back to the BOS by Aug. 14 on recommendations for a permanent ordinance and continue staff involvement up to that date. The motion failed 3-2, with BOS Chair Rob Brown, Farrington and District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock voting against continuing the committee.
Farrington then moved to dissolve the committee. The motion was approved 4-1, with Smith dissenting.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14. Follow on Twitter: @KevinNHume.
