Dec. 4, 2012 — Every elected representative comes from somewhere, but a third-generation Lassen County farmer took the oath of office yesterday in Sacramento and now serves as our District 1 Assemblyman in the California state legislature.

Former Lassen County District 4 Supervisor Brian Dahle collected nearly 80 percent of the vote in the November election, handily defeating challenger Rick Bosetti in a hard fought race. The campaign marked the first time in District 1 that two Republicans squared off against each other thanks to a new state law that pits the top two vote getters in the primary election against each other if no one gains more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary.

Lassen County residents have gotten to know Dahle well during his 16 years on the board of supervisors. He first won election in June 1996 at the age of 31, defeating two opponents and garnering 57 percent of the vote. He ran unopposed and won election in the June primaries in 2000, 2004 and 2008. He served as chairman of the board of supervisors in 1998, 2002, 2007 and 2012.

During his tenure on the board, Dahle was instrumental in maintaining a balanced county budget and ensuring the county remained debt free and is not encumbered by long-term debt such as employee retirement benefits.

A staunch defender of the people’s rights, Dahle never lost sight of his duty to serve his constituents at the local, regional, state and national levels, serving as the chairman of the Regional Council of Rural Counties, president of the Western Interstate Region of the National Association of Counties (NACO) and as the chairman of the NACO Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee.

The experience Dahle gained through his 16 years of public service and his commitment to the common good in Lassen County will serve the public well as Dahle takes his seat in the state house.

Many of his supporters believe Dahle’s experience as a farmer, a businessman and a family man will bring a new, unique and much needed perspective to state government because Dahle can offer common sense solutions to the daunting problems the state faces.

Those of us who live in Lassen County know he is one of us and will represent our interests and the needs of the constituents in his district as he serves in the state legislature.

Blending his responsibility as a supervisor with his desire to start a family, Dahle stepped down from the dais, knelt on one knee and asked Megan Ray to marry him during a meeting in 1998. She said yes.

A tearful Dahle said goodbye to the board of supervisors last week, and District 2 Supervisor Jim Chapman said he was the best supervisor he has worked with during his many years on the board.

We wish Dahle well as he assumes his new responsibilities and expect he will continue to serve the interests and needs of the people of Lassen County and the newly formed 1^st Assembly District.