LAKEPORT >> With just one agenda item the Board of Supervisors listened to a packed chamber July 30 of whether the name of the city of Kelseyville should be changed to Konocti.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) is a federal body created in 1890 and established in its present form by Public Law in 1947 to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the government. The BOS considered an advisory ballot to make a recommendation to the BGN and two resolutions to direct staff how to proceed, noted BOS Chair Bruno Sabatier. He raised a concern over the cost as well as who is allowed to vote. "So, in my opinion the vote has to be a county wide vote, which is way too expensive," he said.
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green said it was the BOS's responsibility to the BGN to recommend what should be done with the name change petition submitted by Citizens for Healing nonprofit group. "There's a split of opinion on this and whether it's 60% to 40% it is not going to solve the equity question," Green said. "By skipping ahead to the election you're essentially robbing this board the opportunity to weigh in and asking us to mute the voices of the two board members with Native American ancestry." He added that consideration of using the Kelseyville Unified School District boundaries to determine eligible voters is an inappropriate selection of voting area. "So if there is an election at all, I express my preference for a county wide vote."
District 3 Supervisor E.J. Crandel noted he would like to hear input before committing himself. "I'd like to state what is the best route, yet I'd like to hear from all of you, before I decide," he said.
Meanwhile, District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon explained if the board did anything, it ought to be a county wide vote and it would embrace inclusivity for Indigenous People, "Who have been here forever, want to see to see where we stand in this county." Simon went on, "I want to see if we learned anything in the past 400 years. When I went on the board, I did it for everybody, to give an opportunity with my vote," he said. "I think we're moving in the right direction, but this vote would solidify that."
District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska, explained Kelseyville is an unincorporated populated geographic area, which is why it is under the BGN's authority. "So, to put this on the November ballot, we need a defined voting district, and it is not possible to put together in a few months." she said. "We have the school district boundary, it's not a perfect option, but one we can move forward with. The Fire District boundary is a little bigger, but it moves into the Lakeport area so, that is not a perfect option either."
As regarding the cost of an election, Maria Valadez, Lake County registrar of voters explained there is already an election scheduled for November 5, 2024. The primary election of March 2024 cost $300,000 she confirmed. "The (Nov.) election is already there," she stipulated. "It wouldn't cost more than $50,000, to add it (name change ballot) county wide. Kelseyville already has an election, a school district so, we we'd be including that added cost."
Rachel White, chair of the Save Kelseyville Committee spoke on behalf of her organization. She maintained the action a misguided attempt to find a solution under the guise of healing. "It's deeply divisive," she said. "But we can meet in the middle to understand true healing." White added every resident will need to amend documents such as property titles, rental agreements, wills, trusts and other documents. "The committee recommends an advisory vote in Kelseyville as defined by the boundaries of the Kelseyville Unified School District," she said.
Joseph Weber, a member of the Big Valley Tribal Community, said he wanted to let everyone know how the Native American community felt. "If I mentioned the Jewish People, we would think of Hitler and Nazism," he said. "Well, if you had a town named Hitlerville, you wouldn't tolerate that. So, if I lived in Hitlerville, that trauma of hate would carry a heavy burden, especially on our young people. It's time we come together and show younger people what change is all about. educate everyone to learn it should never happen again.
After public commentary Chair Sabatier said moving forward with an advisory election, will be a mistake. "I think we need to bring this item back (discussion) but at this point in time it seems to be in the minority," he said. But Supervisor Simon made a motion to move forward with Resolution A for an advisory election on a county wide format. Yet county counsel advised a stipulation would be prudent to offer an amendment so cities can be covered under the election's code 9603D. It ensured that; a regular or special election would be held in a territory allowing for expansion for the county's jurisdiction into cities, the advisory election could be considered with the regular election and that the BOS approved the consolidation. The measure passed with Supervisors Simon, Crandell and Pyska voting in favor and Sabatier and Green opposing.
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