LAKE COUNTY
Flags lowered to honor Onotaro
Flags at County Offices and Facilities Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Brad Onorato: During the September 24 meeting, the Lake County Board of Supervisors made findings necessary to lower flags on County offices and facilities to half-staff, in honor of the passing and rich contributions of Brad Onorato.
Late Friday, United States Congressman, Mike Thompson, had requested that flags be lowered, in recognition of the remarkable support provided to Lake County communities by Onorato during his decades of work with Thompson, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff. Onorato’s loss is deeply felt by many in Lake County; he is greatly missed. Flags in the Lake County Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport have likewise been lowered in observance.
Introducing a Moment of Silence in Onorato’s honor Tuesday, Lake County’s District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, shared, “Last week, we learned of the passing of Brad Onorato, Congressman Thompson’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and [an unparalleled] champion for our District. He was always there, and so many of our community members have personal stories where Brad dropped everything to help them. [Congressman] Mike Thompson made a Facebook post Thursday evening, calling him family.”
Pyska further noted it was difficult to separate Onorato and Thompson, given their close and effective working relationship.
In their memo recommending lowering of flags to half-staff, Supervisors Sabatier and Crandell affirmed, “No legislative staff person has done more in recent memory to ensure Lake County’s federal priorities were well understood, and advocate for resource allocations needed to carry them out, than Brad Onorato. Brad’s work and support of the Congressman’s information needs have been crucial to Lake County securing Community Project Funding, for example, that will facilitate meaningful progress in the coming years on the Armory Repurposing, Kelseyville Sidewalk, and Middle Creek Restoration Projects. Brad has likewise been a constant presence at key moments in our county’s history, such as honoring key retirements of long-time Supervisors and staff, and groundbreaking ceremonies for major projects.”
Sabatier and Crandell continued, “Perhaps more importantly than these more formal examples, Brad cared deeply about Lake County, and about the challenges county residents face in their day-to-day lives. He was very diligent in following up on constituent concerns, and ensuring responsive information could be obtained, and an appropriate resolution could be reached. Where those matters touched on federal concerns, he was highly proactive in seeing that federal government responsibilities were upheld. If an item was under local jurisdiction, Brad made sure the message got to the right people, followed up with consistency, and was also appropriately supportive of local authorities.”
As the item was presented, District 1 Supervisor, Moke Simon added Onorato was an advocate and “Representative for all of [Lake County’s] Tribes,” as well, stating, “I want to acknowledge the work he has done for our federal partners, as well.”
District 3 Supervisor, Eddie Crandell, when introducing the Motion in support of this item, said he would, “Miss [Onorato’s] calls,” happily recalling how Onorato exuded, “SUPERVISOR Crandell!”
The hearts and minds of Lake County leaders will remain with the Onorato Family and Congressman Thompson’s team at this difficult time.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
California crews help out with Florida hurricane emergency
As Tropical Storm Helene was expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moved toward Florida’s Panhandle, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of California firefighters to assist in staffing a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Incident Support Team to Orlando, Florida.
In close coordination with FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) immediately deployed seven firefighters from California’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force Incident Support Team. The deployment has no impact on California’s emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
“California stands ready to help assist where needed, even as we face ongoing wildfires in our state. This storm is dangerous and has the potential to produce heavy rainfall, storm surge and strong winds. We are glad to lend a helping hand to those in Helene’s path.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
The Incident Support Team provides a group of highly qualified specialists to support local officials with technical assistance, management and coordination of US&R resources.
“This is a great example of how state-to-state cooperation works. California’s deployment of these specialized US&R firefighters ahead of the storm will allow for better emergency defenses,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
The specialized team members deployed to Florida come from California US&R Task Forces 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 from Oakland, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento and San Diego.
This deployment builds on California’s continued efforts to aid other states during emergencies.
—Submitted
