Pubdate: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 Source: Lake County Record-Bee (Lakeport, CA) Copyright: 2008 Record-Bee Contact: http://www.record-bee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3384 Author: Katy Sweeny, Staff reporter Cited: Lake County Board of Supervisors http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Page1001.aspx Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) SUPERVISORS SUPPORT MARIJUANA SUPPRESSION PROGRAM LAKEPORT - The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to support the Sheriff's Department application for a $275,000 grant to fund its marijuana suppression program. Funding would support two deputy sheriffs, partial payment of a prosecutor and operating expenses from the California Emergency Management Agency Drug Enforcement Section Grant, Sheriff Rod Mitchell said. More than $90,000 of a deputy's salary would be freed up to pay additional sheriff personnel. Chairwoman Denise Rushing said she wanted to make sure the application specified marijuana grows not following local, state and federal law would be subject to enforcement. Mitchell said medical marijuana growers occasionally ask the Sheriff's Department to inspect their grow and officers respect medical marijuana growers' rights. The sheriff also told the supervisors that a sergeant and a deputy in the department focus on methamphetamine. The board addressed a number of issues and projects at its meeting in Lakeport. Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the purchase of 3555 Lakeshore Blvd. in Nice for $102,000 to incorporate it into the surrounding beach. Supervisor Rob Brown voted no. District Attorney Jon Hopkins and Clearlake Vice Mayor Judy Thein made a presentation to the board on Team DUI, which aims to prevent, detect and punish drunken drivers. More than 50 people from contributing organizations came to the meeting including: a Congressman Mike Thompson representative, a representative for Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Lake County District Attorney's Office and its Victim Witness Division, California Highway Patrol, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Clearlake Police Department, Lakeport Police Department, Lake County Fire Protection District, Lake County Probation Department, Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Lake County Mental Health, Lake County Office of Education and its Safe School Healthy Students Division, Konocti Unified School District, Lakeport Unified School District, Kelseyville Unified School District, Middletown Unified School District, Upper Lake Unified School District, Lake County, City of Clearlake, City of Lakeport, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Clearlake Chamber of Commerce, Lake Family Resources, First Baptist Church Clearlake, St. Helena Hospital, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Hilltop Recovery Center and the Lake County Record-Bee and Clear Lake Observer American. Supervisor Jim Comstock presented a proclamation designating December 2009 as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month in Lake County. The board will continue its decision on whether to support a state constitutional convention so that Supervisor Anthony Farrington and staff can amend some of the resolution's proposals. Board members unanimously supported the Mental Health Department submitting an application for a $174,658 grant for a substance abuse offender treatment program. Supervisor Jeff Smith presented a proclamation to Sandie Elliott commending her for her service in helping wildlife. The board awarded a storm damage repair project on Sulphur Bank Drive to Granite Construction for $813,482.