LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has directed staff to begin the process of renaming a city street in honor of a man whose efforts were key to creating Westside Community Park.
At its meeting on July 7, the council approved a resolution to begin the application process to change Westside Park Road – which leads into the park from Parallel Drive – to Charlie Jolin’s Way.
Jolin, who died June 29 at age 96, was instrumental in creating the park.
City Manager Margaret Silveira, in presenting the proposal to the council, said that Westside Community Park Committee Chair Dennis Rollins asked the city to consider the gesture as a way to honor Jolin.
The resolution offered historical background on the park, noting that on Jan. 15, 1997, a group of community members met under Jolin’s direction to discuss the park’s development.
More than two years later, on Nov. 1, 1999, the Westside Community Park Committee was incorporated and received its nonprofit status.
Silveira said Jolin worked with the city staff and council to approve and dedicate the land which would eventually become the park. After that, he took the reins of the project and drove the park’s development.
She said he was always ready to take people on tours, and his Ford Bronco – a classic 1960s model – hauled many people out to see the park.
The resolution explained that, after getting the land dedicated, Jolin personally recruited most of the first committee and board members.
“He wanted representation from youth sports leaders in all sports, business and community minded people. He was not shy about talking the Park up to anyone and everyone,” the resolution explained.
Silveira said Jolin never lost interest in the project, even after retiring from leading the park committee and the development effort. He took pride in seeing the park develop into a major recreational facility for the region.
She said Jolin contributed to the community in other ways too, including the development of Library Park, serving as a member and chair of the Lakeport Planning Commission and as the chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee to update the city’s general plan. He also was a long-time Boy Scout leader and was awarded the Stars of Lake County Man of the Year in 2014.
The park committee, Silveira added, believes that if it were not for Jolin, there would be no Westside Park.
Silveira sought direction from the council on starting the application process. The Lakeport Municipal Code says city streets may be officially named or the official name of an existing street may be changed after submittal of the proposed name to the city planning commission and city council.
She said the process includes notifying anyone whose property abuts the road in order to offer them a chance to comment. It would then go to the Lakeport Planning Commission.
“Charlie was a really great man and this is a really great way to commemorate the work he did out there,” said Councilwoman Stacey Mattina.
She said she regretted not doing it while he was still here. “He would have been thrilled.”
Rollins thanked Silveira for getting the proposal on the agenda right away.
He said he talked to Jolin on a regular basis but that Jolin was never forthcoming about his health, so Rollins didn’t realize he was so close to the end of his life.
While he said Jolin never really wanted anything named after him, Rollins said he spoke with Jolin’s son Tom and his wife Sandy and they thought it was a great idea. Jolin’s son also told Rollins that Jolin’s late wife Ruthie also would have thought it was a great idea.
Rollins suggested a change to the original proposal, from “Charlie’s Way” to “Charlie Jolin’s Way.”
“We think this would be a great thing to do to honor Charlie,” said Rollins.
Rollins said they also would like to put a plaque under an oak tree at the park explaining the naming.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said he considered Rollins’ recommendation a strong one.
The council agreed to the recommendation, and Mattina moved to approve the resolution to begin the process of renaming Westside Park Road to Charlie Jolin’s Way, which Councilwoman Mireya Turner seconded.
The council approved the resolution 4-0, with Mayor George Spurr absent from the meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.