A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Two Thousand and Seven will be a great year! Looking back at 2006, the really big thing we accomplished involved the relationship we developed with PG&E when we "convinced" SMUD to take their proposed annexation to the Ratepayers. The rest is history-but victorious at that. See what the League can do with millions of dollars?

Well, as you can read in the Executive Director's (ED) message, the big news for the League this New Year is a change in ED. As you may recall, Joe Sullivan gave us notice that he was going to retire as ED at the end of the year. As of January 9, 2007, the Executive Board confirmed Bob Blymyer as the new ED, who will assume Joe's former duties. Bob had expressed interest in being the League's ED, but had warned that he'd make his decision, with his wife Sandy's help, at the first of the year. Well, as promised, I got a call from Bob on January 2 wherein he stated he would be interested in the position. I must congratulate both Joe and Bob on great timing! Congratulations!! This whole transaction is nothing short of a miracle, you know. Bob retired in November, after following League activities for several years, and now has the interest and time to contribute time to advancing League activities. Bob has an extensive background in volunteer civic activities , including the Modern Transit Society early in his career, Toastmasters, and continuing today with the Citizen's Bond Oversight Committee for the Los Rios Community College District. Bob's past and current civic activities will give the League additional exposure from a different angle than we have had in the past.

All of us really want to extend a special thanks to Joe for his 25+ years of volunteer service to organizations like the League. Without faithful people like Joe, this world would be a much different place. But cheer up! Joe is not going too far, for now. He'll still be a Board member, and he'll still be writing articles for this newsletter. I have always enjoyed Joe's writing because it reflects a great deal of research on the subject at hand.

At the League's January meeting we will be taking up the selection of officers for this year's Executive Board. Please be sure to be involved in the selection of officers at our July 18, 2007 meeting. As usual a slate of candidates will be proposed and voted on by the Board members present.

Thank you for the work you've done in 2006. The League really left an impression on the community as a result of our work on, what turned out to be, the Measure L campaign.

Again. Welcome to 2007.

Ken Payne