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| Photo: The Journal 2008 |
◼ First District Supervisor Jimmy Smith received numerous accolades this morning during the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting in honor of his service. - The Times-Standard
Smith spent the first two hours of the meeting receiving more than 15 plaques and presentations from government officials and organizations. Congressman Mike Thompson gave a presentation by way of video from Washington, D.C., thanking Smith for his mentorship.
”You will always be one of my best friends,” Thompson said.
Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro and a representative from Sen. Noreen Evans' office gave in-person presentations.
”You care deeply and it's not easy to do this work when you have the kind of heart you have,” Chesbro said to Smith.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Fish and Game, the local American Cancer Society, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Eureka City Council, the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, the North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan board, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, county Veterans Service Office and representatives of supervisors in Sonoma, Mendocino and Trinity counties all spoke about Smith.
Jacque Smith, Jimmy Smith's wife of 44 years, addressed the board and her husband. She said ever since her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic lymphoma in 1992 -- a disease he beat -- he's been on a mission to serve the community. Smith now faces another battle with lymphoma and will be stepping down from office on Aug. 3 after more than a decade of service.
Additional speakers included Sheriff Mike Downey, Public Works Director Tom Mattson, Registrar of Voters Carolyn Crnich, Chief Probation Officer Bill Damiano, Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro field representative John Woolley and 1st District Supervisor-elect Rex Bohn. Bohn was recently appointed by the governor to take over the rest of Smith's term.
Each of the supervisors took the opportunity to thank Smith for his service, using the words “mentor,” “gentleman,” “friend” and other terms of endearment to describe Smith.
Smith thanked all the presenters and more than 20 public speakers for their kind words. He thanked each of the supervisors for their work and support during this most recent hurdle in his life.
”I'm so honored to be a little part of your lives,” Smith said.