Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Meeting, December 9, 2014
WHEREAS, John Pinches is a native of Mendocino County and proud fourth generation Mendocino County rancher, and
WHEREAS, first elected to office in November 1994, John has represented the constituents of the 3rd Supervisorial District for a total of twelve years, from 1995 to 1998, and 2007 through 2014, wherein which Supervisor Pinches served three terms as Chair of the Board; and
WHEREAS, John served with distinction on a variety of boards and committees, a partial list of which includes: Mendocino Council of Governments, Mendocino Resource Advisory Commission, Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority, Mendocino Transit Authority, Mental Health Board, Policy Council on Children and Youth, Remote Area Network, and the Workforce Investment Board; and
WHEREAS, John recognized the value of maintaining good relationships with colleagues, famously advising, “On any one issue, you never want to push a fellow Board member any farther away than you're willing to pull them back in time for the next issue;” and
WHEREAS, John is famous for his joking style to lessen the emotion during heavily debated agenda items and/or adding light hearted comments to cheer up whomever is unhappy about the outcome of an action, bringing laughter from all (except perhaps the individual the comment was directed to - including himself!), and
WHEREAS, John will be long remembered for the stylish cowboy shirt and jeans worn throughout his tenure to each and every Board meeting he has attended, forcing some to wonder just how he will manage in retirement ranching in a pristine white shirt; and
WHEREAS, John shared his generosity of spirit with everyone, rarely meeting a person he didn't like; and
WHEREAS, John always kept a comb in his pocket as testament to his optimistic outlook; and
WHEREAS, John, who often reminded others that "he came to office to build the County and not to tear it down," accomplished his goal in a thousand ways; and
WHEREAS, the only thing John knew as well as his cows was the County Budget book; and
WHEREAS, some of our favorite “Johnny-isms” imparted over the years include such comments as:
“Whiskey’s for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin’.”
“Why can’t we keep not doin’ what we haven’t been doin’?”
“We’re not gonna catch up with the Jones’s. We’re gonna meet them on the way back.”
“When are we gonna stop calling kids ‘kids,’ and start calling them ‘species?’ They’ll be eligible for all kinds of things!”
“The Russians ain’t doing it to us, we’re doin’ it to ourselves!”
WHEREAS, John has steadfastly represented constituents from the north-eastern segment of rural Mendocino County, while acting in the interests of all Mendocino County residents; and
WHEREAS, choosing not to seek reelection at the end of his third term, John departs from the County at the end of 2014 to attend to his family and ranch; and
WHEREAS, John will always be loved for his generosity, honesty, devotion, and service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Mendocino joins John’s’ family and friends in wishing him a fulfilling, prosperous, and adventurous future, and commends him for his commitment to the pursuit of worthy causes, and his passion and enthusiasm for the well-being of Mendocino County.
WHEREUPON, the Vice-Chair declared said Resolution adopted and SO ORDERED.
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After the testimonials and reading of the resolution and the unanimous vote of admiration, Pinches, obviously moved and touched by the many expressions of appreciation for his public service, commented briefly, “The people of Mendocino County have treated me extremely well. I appreciate it. I’m just going to leave it at that.”
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THE AVA AGREES. Supervisor Pinches has been an outstanding Supervisor who has always put the interests of Mendocino County and its residents first and who has been open to all points of view.
Pinches was steadily pursued and often vilified by local liberals of the Clintonian type. Local Libs seemed to object to Pinches' plain spoken cowboy style — he's been a cattle rancher all his life — more than his substance, and that substance has been an enviable record of fiscal prudence and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the entire county. There was never any doubt where Pinches stood on issues, and even when he was disagreed with or criticized, Pinches was always open to debate and always remained affable. Pinches has served honestly and honorably. He'll be missed by lots of us, and official Mendocino County will miss him and likely suffer his absence, although supervisors Gjerde, McCowen and Brown comprise a solid core of conscientious public servants in the Pinches mold, if not style.
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