On Monday Supervisor Rob Brown announced he will seek election for a third term.

"It is an honor to serve the citizens of Lake County," Brown said in a statement he issued Monday. "During my two terms on the board, I have fought hard to protect our quality of life and make our county government more responsive and accountable.”

When the county primary rolls around next June, Brown, 47, will face competition from Robert Stark, who already has taken out paperwork to run for the supervisorial seat, as Lake County News reported last month.

Stark is the manager for the Cobb Area Water District and a member of the South Lake County Fire Protection District's newly formed Master Plan Committee.

Brown said that, working together with the community, he's achieved a strong record of success for District 5 residents.

He pointed to several important accomplishments in his tenure so far, including the highest level of road repairs and highway safety improvements including a stoplight at Kit's Corner; a new ambulance for the local fire department; a new Animal Care and Control Facility; a new park for the Clear Lake Riviera community; county funding for the installation of a much-needed bridge on Cobb Mountain; and, a "build green" proposal to promote the use of solar power and alternative energy in future county building projects.

“In addition, we stood up to developers and defeated the proposed casino that would have brought increased crime and traffic congestion to our community," said Brown.

That casino plan, which came to light at this time last year, would have located an Indian casino at Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa. Brown took to the Board of Supervisors a resolution – which they accepted unanimously – to oppose any such casino project at the resort.

While proud of his successes, Brown said there is still much work that needs to be done in order to reform county government.

Looking ahead, Brown has several top priorities that he said he plans to pursue. They include working with county staff to improve foster care services for local families; protecting vulnerable senior citizens from abuse; maintaining county road improvement programs; and providing the highest level of law enforcement to our communities.

“I am also dedicated to protecting our county's vital water rights and maintaining the quality of our lakes and streams,” said Brown, who serves as chair of the Clean Water Protection Advisory Council.

"I will continue to insist on the highest standards of integrity in our county government and to provide independent leadership that puts the public's interests ahead of the special interests," Brown added.

Three supervisorial seats are up for election this year; in addition to Brown's, seats held by Supervisors Anthony Farrington and Ed Robey also will be on the ballot.

Last summer, Robey announced that he would not seek reelection in 2008, as Lake County News reported. Since then a large field has formed to seek Robey's District 1 seat.

With Brown's announcement, only Farrington has not yet made a formal statement about his plans. So far, however, no challengers for Farrington's seat have come forward, according to the Lake County Elections Office.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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gag me with a spoon
written by lcsage, January 08, 2008

>

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flush
written by lcsage, January 08, 2008

if it's brown.

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Right On !
written by number1, January 08, 2008

I welcome Supervisor Brown's decision to run for re-election. The county needs his continued contribution to ensuring fair and financially sound rulings from our Supervisors. He alone provides the balance imperative to a vibrant and healthy Lake County!

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brown is a pinhead
written by chacote, January 08, 2008

with only his personal interests in mind.

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Shameful
written by James, January 08, 2008

I will give my views on Brown but for now.I say ditto,ditto,ditto to lcsage and chacote.He is a lier and he covered up the lies.Later James

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why Rob should get re-hired
written by smurf, January 08, 2008

I don't know about that list of "accomplishments" Rob was on about, most looked like no-brainers and stuff that would have gotten done anyway, much like the things Farrington got credit for in a recent letter to our local paper.

The real reasons Brown should be on the board are a bit more abstract, and not so flashy. Rob is rarely shy about asking hard,direct questions that wouldn't be brought up if he wasn't there. He rarely backs-off just because it would upset people or make the county government look bad, unlike other supes I could name. He frequently investigates issues much more thoroughly than the other supes, and it shows when he asks those pointed questions.

Week-after-week he holds county departments accountable and looks for ways to do the job faster and cheaper, more so than any other supe. He also looks for outside-the-box solutions, and has saved the county far more money than any other supe.

Compared with his predesessor Brown is light years ahead, even if he gets headed in the wrong direction once in a while. Stark is a good man but I doubt he'd be an improvement overall, and I would rate his chances as extremely slim.

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Brown
written by calcuby, January 08, 2008

Brown is a great supervisor. He speaks his mind and does what he believes is right.

Others may not agree with him, but he has a spine and is not afraid to use it. That is more than one can say for some of the others (are you listening Tony Farrington - going to law school and busting your head on motorcycles while you should be acting as a supervisor.)

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...
written by get smart, January 08, 2008

Today's board of supervisors meeting Tuesday January 8, 2008 was yet another example of where we are willing to have our civil liberties eroded away in order to serve the more "wholesome" of us. According to Kim Clymire the director of Parks and Recreation; the more "Wholesome" of us are being serviced by limiting the alcohol consumption within the county parks. Director Clymire was also quick to point out that with a county permit ($$$) you could serve alcoholic beverages for family reunions or wedding receptions or other such events like county employee union picnic. Supervisor Farrington was assured that the two parks that are exempt from this ordnance would remain exempt.

District 3 Supervisor Rushing was the only supervisor who was concerned about our civil liberties. Supervisor Farrington and Supervisor Brown were quick to trade off any civil liberties in order to do away with any they found not to be "Wholesome"; leaving newly elected Board Chairman Ed Roby and Supervisor Jeff Smith twiddling their thumbs. If only Supervisor Roby was as quick to respond to the many issues facing this local government as he is to updating his county furnished web sight; he looks so good in his bright red Santa suit with that little blond haired girl on his lap.

Do not think that Supervisor Brown is a shoe in, nor is Supervisor Farrington; the unwholesome just may vote them out of office. For those who are interested in seeing these two removed from their elected office they should find ways to help fund their opponents. Do not think that just because you do not live within a particular supervisor's district you have no concerns as to who is representing that district. Each of these supervisors's affects all of us no matter what district we are residing in. Supervisor Rushing is always quick to respond to me even though I do not reside within her district.

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Taking Credit when it\'s not d
written by kaysmith66, January 08, 2008

The reason the Konocti Resort was not able to make a casino is that certain types and amounts of TRIBAL lands can be used by tribes as casinos, and the tribes here either didn't have enough appropriate lands to give to that process, or they already used up their allotment. A RESOLUTION by a county BOS will never supplant federal regulations.

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Water rights
written by Donna Christopher, January 08, 2008

I hope to see the entire board hold tight on this issue and that means NOT being afraid to just say no to these proposed huge developments/subdivisions that will literally put thousands more straws into our glass, when we still don't know what we have in said glass. Rob does ask good questions and has changed his mind on things when presented with new information, tho I do wish all who are running again would stop saying what they achieved as tho it happened in a vacuum (takes 3 votes). Having followed our BOS for decades I can honestly say there has been far worse leadership from that district over the years. Hope they have debates.

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Short and sweet
written by James, January 08, 2008

All the good they do will not negate thier lies. Do I belive that we are that stupid and will over look, move on? You bet!

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...
written by get smart, January 08, 2008

To insinuate that because one is a Lake County Supervisor one should be precluded from obtaining a higher education or enjoy a particular hobby; when there are so many other real issues to hold this mans feet to the fire for is almost silly.

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yeah but
written by calcuby, January 08, 2008

Law school is not a "hobby" it is a full time thing that requires a lot of time. Not quite stamp collecting. And yes, I do think doing this on the county dime is wrong. What about when he studies for his bar exam, will that be a "hobby" also? I don't know many people who held full time jobs during law school. I think maybe being a supervisor is his hobby.

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to know Brown\'s opinion, watc
written by Baxter, January 09, 2008

I actually think Brown is a decent enough guy, in his own way. That said, he scares me, as an elected official. What scares me is the predictability of his limited vision, which is filtered through old-school glasses and embodies thinking which is decades out of sync with what we know today about civic planning and how to promote and preserve viable local economies that support the local community as well as protect the environment and everything that makes Lake County worth living in.

I agree that there has been occasional evidence that Brown is capable of learning -- his support of the manufactured home ordinance (when he disagreed with the lobbyist who insisted that the ordinance was damaging to local dealers) was a pleasant surprise. But the question is, can Brown learn enough, fast enough, to be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem...?

But my main question is aimed towards the publishers of this online newspaper. The article about Stark filing papers to run against Brown turned into a long (free) advertisement for Brown.

When will Stark be given equal time?

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His Hobby
written by get smart, January 09, 2008

Law school was not the hobby his Motorcycle is!

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Equal time is a given
written by elarson, January 09, 2008

Mr. Stark will absolutely be given equal time. I've already spoken to him for a longer article devoted just to him.

I'm not quite sure about what you mean when you say, "The article about Stark filing papers to run against Brown turned into a long (free) advertisement for Brown." This article was, quite simply, about Brown's announcement to run again. Incumbents announcing reelection bids usually merit a story on their own, but I also felt it important to give some space to Mr. Stark.

Mr. Stark's candidacy has been written about on this site before, particularly last month, when I gave an update on the latest election paperwork filing, and noted that he was the only one, so far, to have officially begun taking out paperwork to run for supervisor.

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...
written by get smart, January 09, 2008

To get a sense of who these people are; who serve as Lake County Supervisors all you have to do is spend a little time with them; via Mediacom channel 8 on any given Tuesday that the board is meeting; the meeting is rebroadcast on the Sunday following the Tuesday meeting.

I have been very aggressive about spending the time on any given Sunday to watch these folks at work. My level of harshness of them is based on their level of professionalism.

I hope I will be voting for a candidate this next election rather than just voting against another.

To me it seems my own Supervisor much prefers the company of those who reside within the gated community over those who might reside within a single wide trailer in a trailer park.

Neither of these supervisors up for reelection lacks the ability to belittle those who come before them as a board seeking their help; only to find an arrogant, condescending attitude.

Each of these supervisors up for reelection has lost sight; that theirs is a job of taking anyone seeking their help to navigating through the maze of governmental bureaucracy which they over see to a finial conclusion.

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Other opportunities
written by elarson, January 09, 2008

My goal is to feature the candidates this year in a variety of forums on this site. By the time the election rolls around, everyone will probably be sick of it all!

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...
written by get smart, January 09, 2008

In my opinion you are do a good job of this issue

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You mean ...
written by elarson, January 09, 2008

... Wearing everyone out on an issue? I have been told I'm good at that!

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NO SHAME
written by James, January 09, 2008

Before beginning I wish it understood that my views of Brown are just that"MINE" and I take no pride nore joy to call him a lier. That view has been formed by personal contact with him. Those that have views in contrast with mine,so be it.Thats your right,to be sure and I understand, so in turn trust you will aford me the same courtisy.
Brown conspired to lie and coverup the lies. With that action denied me my rights under our Constitution. To be told I didnot understand how hard it was to fire or hire personnel.Farrington, it was just a error and would look to the further and not the past.The one that sticks in my craw came from Robey"Do you thing your special"They know who I am and with help from Elizabeth you will know who they are. This arrogance that I'm tobe sacrificed for the statusquo tobe sure hasnot set well with me.Hear me clear,They lied and they covered up the lies.

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Lots of Law
written by Donna Christopher, January 09, 2008

Degrees earned over the years by county employees. They are called on-line classes and evening classes. No, you won't have a degree from Yale. Dubya has one of those - nuff said :wink: Are you sure you want to go over to the 'dark side' Rob? And ridin' your Harley isn't a hobby, it's pro-active mental health preservation!

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liar liar
written by James, January 09, 2008

pants on fire.

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good heavens....
written by lenny, January 09, 2008

eom

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So you say
written by calcuby, January 09, 2008

I got your meaning, pal. I just disagree completely.

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not me
written by James, January 09, 2008

You that used my name are right they are liars and hope their pants do catch fire.

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smurf
written by James, January 09, 2008

Please your name and not mine to post. Your words should not be put under my name.Thank you.

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hummmm
written by get smart, January 09, 2008

It is your prerogative to disagree; and I whole heartily respect your right to do so.

But to infer that he is attending law school on the counties dime; is to me; to infer that the county is paying for his education.

As one who received their Associate in Business degree; ultimately leading me to my Masters in Economics while maintaining fulltime employment; with a job requiring a 50 plus hour work week; it can be done.

Now mind you; what would have taken a fulltime student only 6 to 7 years to achieve; took me well over 25 years; so it just might take him a little longer to obtain his goal; but to besmirch him for his efforts; hummmm :confused:; I think not!

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Let\'s just see
written by calcuby, January 10, 2008

how long it takes him. I bet it is not any longer than usual. Unless he fails the exam a few times. He is a terrible supervisor and attending school while trying to do his job might just be the problem. Or, maybe he just stinks.

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