LAKEPORT — Bob Rumfelt said seeing several key projects through to completion and remaining one of the city”s problem solvers were two main reasons he chose to seek a fifth term on the Lakeport City Council.
“Probably important for the next four years are going to be upgrading the sewer and water system, and eventually the south city annexation,” Rumfelt, 69, said Friday.
The former Lake County Sheriff”s Office and Lake County Office of Education employee first won a seat on the council in 1996, about a year after retiring.
“One of the things I like about it is it”s varied,” Rumfelt said of being a councilman. “By the time you get one thing done, or wrapped up if you will, something else comes up and that”s what keeps it interesting and challenging.”
He listed the efforts to start the Westside Community Park, keeping the Westshore Pool open and the Measure I campaign among the accomplishments he was proudest of during his time on the council.
“Those are the kind of decisions that I think are fun to work on, and I”m sure in the next four years, there will be more of those kinds of things,” Rumfelt said.
In addition to annexation and water and sewer improvements, Rumfelt said he wanted to see the completion of the Mendocino College Lake Center and new Lakeport courthouse projects.
Rumfelt said he looked forward to continuing to work with city staff and other council members to address issues that arise in Lakeport, saying, “One of the things I enjoy is being part of that (problem-solving) team I enjoy doing that and I still can.”
He praised the efforts of staff to ensure the city remained fiscally sound despite pressures from the state government.
“It seems like the state always thinks the city is some place where they can get money. When the state budget is stumbling, they go to the cities,” Rumfelt said, adding, “One of the things I”m proudest of is the city over the years found a way to always deal with that and stay within our means.”
Rumfelt, who has four adult children and seven grandchildren, lives in Lakeport with his wife, Leslie.
He said he also spends time as a community college instructor and participates in Early Lake Lions, Sons In Retirement and Patriot Guard Riders.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.
