3rd District Supervisor Update
September, 2020
On a smoky morning in Mendocino County, I am hoping that you and yours are staying healthy as these fires rage and the pandemic continues to affect our lives in so many ways. We can be thankful that the fires are not raging in our neighborhoods, hopefully our health is good, and fall is near.
The Governor has changed the Covid-19 system from counties on a watch list to a tiered system based on assorted criteria. Mendocino County is now in the purple tier which is the most stringent. Our daily number of new cases is high, well above the minimum for the “widespread” tier.
Schools are starting the school year mostly in the distance learning mode. I feel badly for students who so look forward to the beginning of the year whether it is to meet their new teacher, be with old and new friends, participate in a fall sport, or even learn something new. Everyone’s hope is that in some way their lives will be enriched by the education they receive during this pandemic.
I have been working as part of the cannabis ad hoc committee with Supervisor Williams to break through the logjam that seemed to be occurring with state agencies. The problem was that County permitted cannabis growers could not get their annual state licenses. The goal is to create a pathway whereby these people could at least apply for their state license so that they can reman in the regulated program.
We have been talking to the heads of the state agencies and with county staff. We have made great progress with both Ca. Dept of Food and Agriculture which oversees CalCannabis and the Ca. Dept of Fish and Wildlife. They have given the County what it needs to move these permits on. We are very much appreciative of the collaboration in the last few weeks. The next challenge is to untangle the issues within the county’s cannabis program and create a streamlined process for these applicants.
Wishing you all the best and feel free to contact me at haschakj@mendocinocounty.org or 707-972-4214.
Stay well,
John
