Residents urge action on Spring Valley evacuation route; public commenter accuses county director of misconduct
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Summary
During public comment, Spring Valley resident Sterling Wellman called for a second evacuation route and a new bridge for over 1,000 residents, citing California fire‑safety rules; another commenter, Skye Lal, alleged Community Development Director Maria Turner misused public resources and demanded an independent review.
Public comment at the Nov. 18 Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting included two high‑profile appeals to the board.
On Zoom, Sterling Wellman told the board Spring Valley — a community of more than 1,000 residents — relies on a single access road and is at risk during wildfire or other emergencies. He urged the county to prioritize planning and engineering for a bridge on Old Long Valley Road and said state fire‑safety rules allow fire authorities to require two approved access roads in high‑risk areas. "We do not need to prove that a bridge ever existed on old Long Valley Road. The law focuses on protecting lives today," he said.
Later in public comment, Skye Lal of Pillsbury Family Farms accused Community Development Director Maria Turner of misusing county resources, including attending a personal swearing‑in event while wearing a county badge and allegedly using staff time and task forces to target small cannabis farms. Lal cited Government Code 8314 and Penal Code 424 in urging the board to order an independent review of the director’s time and conduct.
The accusations were made during public comment and no formal board action was taken that day to open an investigation; county staff and counsel did not provide a substantive rebuttal in the meeting record. The board continued with its agenda.
