Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 • Bob and Vicki Pyle

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, edition of the Lassen County Times.

Hard work and a dedication to the people of Lassen County is the hallmark of Bob Pyle’s life.

“This is my 30th consecutive year holding an elected position,” said the third term county supervisor, citing years of service on local school boards and the college board before taking on the role of supervisor.

Pyle and his wife, Vicki, have built a successful life while serving the county.

“We’ve worked as partners in everything we’ve done in our lives,” he said, noting that she carries a full share of the burden that allows him to do public service.

That burden includes two, full-time jobs for both of them.

“We work very hard,” Vicki said, noting that their summer workday begins in the early morning hours. “When you’re up at 2 (a.m.) and you work all day, it’s really tough.”

In addition to the hay on their own property, “we put up hay for other people,” said Pyle. “Last year we covered 4,200 acres.”

During the day, he attends to his supervisory duties while she works for a local veterinarian.

“The more I’m gone, the more she’s got to cover for me,” he said. “And, that’s more work for her.”

“It works,” said Vicki. But they both must put in equally long hours to make it happen.

“I’m not saying we’ve got a lot or we’ve been successful,” said Pyle. “But what we’ve got, we worked for.”

Pyle explained that most people don’t understand his true motivation.

Seeing his new pickup they say, “Gee, that county job must be nice.”

But he must pay someone else to take his place while he does the county’s business.

“I spend so much time being county supervisor, I have to hire another employee here to cover the time I’m not here … If I wasn’t supervisor, that would be one less employee I’d have.”

Originally from the Susanville area, Pyle chose ranching at an early age. At age 17, he started his own haying operation for summer work. He joined FFA, and in 1966 he had a Grand Champion steer.

After high school, he decided to get a degree in agriculture. Working his way through school, he graduated from Chico State College in 1971.

The year before, he met Vicki, who was also from this area, originally.

“We met in Chico,” said the lanky supervisor. “She was going to Chico Beauty College, learning to be a beautician.”

Settling in Susanville seemed the natural thing to do for the young couple.

“We started off with nothing. … We moved in here in April 1, 1974 with $300 between us and a car payment,” said Pyle with the broad smile and easy, country drawl.

The historic-looking, two-story ranch house they live in now is the same they started in, the same that nearly burned earlier this year.

“We were lucky,” said Pyle, noting that the fire that swept through the kitchen could have easily cost them their entire home, if not their lives.

Sitting in their comfortable, newly refurbished living room, recently cleaned and restored to better-than-new condition after the fire, the couple explained their philosophy and their motivation for their community and their family.

“People have learned to trust me,” said Pyle. “The saying in Westwood is: If you want something done, get Bob Pyle. He’ll get it done.”

“He does,” said Vicki, supportively. “He enjoys it.”

The parents of two, grown children, they recalled what it was like raising their family while staying involved in the community. In fact, Pyle’s motivation for seeking public office, to “get involved in the community,” came when his children started school.

Now, they are about to become grandparents for the first time.

“Our daughter told us last weekend,” said Vicki, with pride. “We’re going to be grandparents.”

Cooperation and mutual respect are the primary features of the county’s five supervisors, according to Pyle.

“We very much respect each other’s opinions.”

This board is very efficient at doing the people’s business, too, explained Pyle.

“We all understand that we are there for the people, for our constituents. And we do stick up for our districts.”

Vicki added the supervisors are “five guys with five different opinions on whatever. At a board meeting, they will discuss if they’re for or against whatever. But the minute they walk out, they adjourn that meeting, they’re all friends. Nobody carries a grudge.”

There are no ‘backroom’ deals, no political intrigue.

“They never have done that,” said Vicki.

“What she says is right,” said Pyle. “We vote different a lot. We have big discussions, big debates. Sometimes we get pretty into it. But when it comes down to the vote, we vote. And that’s it. … We don’t hold grudges; we don’t get mad at each other.

They know the job well, too, which adds efficiency.

“We’re not wasting time on process, because we know how it works … We’re all on the same page, as far as knowing the structure and process of government … We all understand how county government works. We know our department heads and how they see things. We know our staff.”

A supervisor’s life is demanding, admitted Pyle, but it comes with personal satisfaction and reward. He has learned from experience to accommodate various attitudes and behaviors. “I work with people according to their personality … I treat people how I know I can. You can’t be gentle with somebody that’s real hardcore, or vice versa.

“I’ve become a very good diplomat,” said Pyle. “I’ve had to.”

He’s learned to be more outgoing, as well.

“He’ll walk up and just start talking to somebody,” said Vicki, impressed by her husband’s people skills.

“I can talk to people. I enjoy talking to people,” said Pyle. “I wasn’t that way by nature. It’s come with the job.”

Now he tries to find out about people, different people. He has learned to see other’s and appreciates their points of view.

He also tends to educate his constituents, explaining the variables, possibilities and processes involved in any issue. This, he explained is the largest part of his work, “90 percent of the time,” said Pyle, emphatically.

But he is not jaded by the job.

“I think this is a wonderful community and a wonderful county. It’s a pleasure for me serve them. The people do support me. They proved that in the last election.”

Vicki cited one, important benefit. “You meet so many nice people,” she said. “You meet people that do so many, different things … The people here are great people. They work hard.”

Pyle summarized with a bit of political philosophy.

“There’s a noisy minority and a silent majority,” he said. “The silent majority is the core of the county, and they set policy for the county on election day. Those are the people. You never hear from them. They’re busy working, making a living, taking the kids to school … whatever it be. You never hear from them. But on election day, they do set the policy of the county.”