It is truly a privilege and a pleasure to thank everyone who made last Saturday's “Grassroots Redevelopment Project” in Clearlake such a fantastic success, but I hardly know how to begin to thank so many people who came out to work so hard.
Not only did we have wonderful sponsors, not only were did the people working on the site do a fantastic job – even the folks driving by did their parts by
shouting encouragement (“looking good!”) and honking in support.
City Public Works Director Doug Herren came early, stayed late and ran a paint sprayer all day. City Clerk Melissa Swanson came early to sign the workers in.
Four Corners Hardware sent a paid employee, Chris Perry, to help us unlock some doors to which no one had a key, then worked all day on the store's payroll. Jesse from Four Corners checked on the project regularly to make sure we had every thing we needed.
Mendo Mill not only donated all the paint (20 gallons total), at the end of the day they gave us another five gallons so we could finish the job.
Dale (the biker dude) brought a utility truck with lots of tools and offered the project many skills whenever needed; I have never met this man before and don't know his full name, but he stayed till it was done. My husband Tony: you are my best friend and a hard working man.
Many thanks also to our other sponsors: Valley Glass, Perfect Printers, Randy Hare Signs, Ricky's Tee Service, Rob's Dirty Work, Foods Etc, Estelle Creel, Girlfriends, Strohmeyers Plumbing, Highlands Nursery, Lakeside Herbal Solutions and Danny Gay for providing the beautiful steel grill for the barbecue.
Jarret Anaraki, Victoria Bean, Richard Berriz, Kenin Bettencourt, Jessie Boyd, Victoria Brandon, Liz Byrd, Sadie Carr, Renee Dothage, Keith Eaton, Stan Egger, Robert Fortin, Herb Gura, Morgan Herman, Joey Luiz, Chris Nuzzo, Frank Nuzzo, Michael Nuzzo, L Reike, Anthony Spittler, Jeri Spittler, Glen Thomas, Marilyn Thomas, Keira Welsh, Dustin Wilson Jr. and D'Angelo Wilson all gave the gift of their labor on a beautiful Saturday in June. So did all the children who picked up trash and helped clean the park.
I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. At the end of the day a neglected eyesore had become a building that we can all be proud of. The people who supported this project and made it a huge success are all Stars of Lake County. You are the shakers and makers, my hat is off to you. Clearlake Rocks.
Jeri Spittler lives in Clearlake.
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