Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 • Hanson recognized for years of service

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, edition of the Lassen County Times.

People who worked with and supported Jack Hanson during his time as Lassen County’s District 5 Supervisor described him as a leader, professional, fair and balanced.

Hanson has served as a supervisor since Jan. 6, 2003 and was board chairman in 2004, 2008 and 2013. He lost his seat in a Sept. 10 recall election. Recall winner Tom Hammond was sworn into office at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24.

But the 10 a.m. agenda item on the board’s meeting that morning was for Hanson and provided a time for people to publicly recognize his decade-long work as a county supervisor.

Friends, family and county staff filled the room and gave Hanson two standing ovations. When the board took a break, many made sure to shake hands with him before they left.

Maury Anderson, director of the planning and building department described Hanson as being beyond reproach, honest and accessible.

Maria Carlomagno-Brice, director of children’s services, thanked Hanson for being one of the board members who  “had the good sense to hire someone from the big city. As creative and different as I am, you believed in me …”

She said, “It has been a absolute joy to work with you. You are a rancher who has a mighty heart for social services. And yes, I did just put those pieces together. You are highly professional. We’ve worked on some pretty heavy cases through the years between the two departments that I’m honored to serve, and I just cannot thank you enough for what you’ve meant in my Lassen County journey as a department head. You’re measured and balanced. I could always count on you for that approach right in the middle, and I really appreciated that …  on behalf of the employees in my two departments we thank you for your leadership and the years we’ve had working with you.”

Speaking for himself and then on behalf of the fair staff, Lassen County Fair Manager Jim Wolcott thanked Hanson for his help. Lassen County Fair Advisory Board member Todd Eid presented Hanson with a small plaque.

Wolcott said, “You’ve always been there to be able to talk to. You’re well-respected in this community and well-respected with me.”

Hanson also represented the board on numerous committees including the mental health advisory board, the airport land use commission, the transportation commission, the air pollution control district, the Law Library Board of Trustees, PSA 2 Area on Aging and the Lassen County Planning Commission.

In addition, he served on the Lassen Regional Solid Waste Management Authority board of directors since 2003.

On behalf of his staff, Tom Valentino, authority manager, thanked Hanson for his work and said he did a great job, was a valuable component in selecting a new waste hauler and he thought the agency wouldn’t be as far along without Hanson.

“You’re really going to be missed on our board. We really appreciated your leadership and everything you’ve provided to us. And I’m going to miss you personally, too,” Valentino said.

Lassen County Tax Collector Richard Egan said, “One thing about Jack that always strikes me is, whether you agree with him or not, Jack always has done and continues to do what he thinks is in the best interest of his constituents, and I sincerely appreciate that.”

Dave Junette, representing the Lassen County Fire Officers Association, health and social services director Melody Brawley, county auditor Karen Fouch, county administrative officer Martin Nichols, county counsel Rhetta Vander Ploeg and fellow board members Aaron Albaugh, Bob Pyle and Jim Chapman also commented on Hanson’s service and complimented his professionalism.

Supervisor Larry Wosick was not in attendance.

Chapman said, “There’s approximately been about 100 people who served on the board of supervisors in the 150 years of the county’s existence and it’s something that’s a labor of love. (Of) the people that I’ve known and worked with, Jack Hanson has got to be the nicest guy that’s ever served upon the Lassen County Board of Supervisors. His demeanor is oftentimes taken to task, but I tell you, underneath the discussion and the hate and discontent that comes forward, Jack has remained and has always been a very nice guy  …”

Before he was presented with the proclamation, Hanson took the opportunity to speak.

He said, “I’d like to first thank all the constituents that have supported me over the years and those that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. There really are a lot of folks out there interested in helping their neighbors and their friends and the community as a whole.”

Hanson also thanked his fellow board members including past board member and current First District Assemblyman Brian Dahle.

Addressing the other supervisors, Hanson said, “Even though we’ve had our differences from time to time on issues we’ve been able come back into the boardroom to do the people’s business. I think that’s admirable. I consider each of you a very good friend.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the county employees.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work with all the employees here in Lassen County. They’re good folks, they’ve always treated me with respect, and I just appreciate their friendship and the working relationship we’ve had,” he said.

People in the audience laughed when Hanson said, “I didn’t include the department heads in that, they’re kind of a different subject entirely. Every department head has responded as best they could to any request I’ve ever had, and I really want all of you to know, including county counsel and the (county administrative officer) and so on, what a pleasure it’s been to work with all of you. Fortunately through this whole thing I don’t have to say good-bye. That’s the good thing of course, I’m not leaving town …”

Hanson also acknowledged some of the partners he worked with in the community including the California Correctional Center, High Desert State Prison, Sierra Army Depot, Sierra Cascade Nursery and all of the farmers and ranchers in the community.

“Hopefully, I’ve done a fair job of representing their interest, but it’s been an honor and privilege working with all of them,” he said.

In closing, Hanson recognized his family, which includes his two sons and his wife, Darcy, who he said has been there through thick and thin and has been a great counsel and advisor.

“Finally, this is where you get kind of choked up, I would like to recognize my family. Without their support, without their commitment, I couldn’t have done the job at all. It took someone at home to get the job done,” Hanson said.