At Tuesday's December 11th Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board recognized District 4 Supervisor Hank Weston and Sheriff Keith Royal for their many years of public service before their retirement in January.
District 4 Supervisor Hank Weston was recognized for his total 57 years of public service; 12 years as Nevada County District 4 Supervisor and 45 years in fire service before that. Supervisor Weston provided prudent leadership, fiscal oversight and strategic guidance on a myriad of issues throughout his tenure, including serving as Chair of the Board of Supervisors in 2009, 2013 and 2017, and serving on the Nevada County Budget Subcommittee on seven separate occasions.
As District 4 Supervisor, Supervisor Weston worked closely with a variety of jurisdictional agency representatives, County staff, community advocates and locals alike on important issues, for the public and the County, which includes the formation of the Oak Tree Community Park and Recreation District in 2010. During his successful effort to secure funding for both the Malakoff Diggins State Historical Park Solar Project and the Bridgeport Bridge Restoration Project, Supervisor Weston led multiple trips and delegations to the State Capital, and met with state legislators and executive leaders. He was also instrumental in providing political leadership on issues pertaining to mitigating wildfire, which include but are not limited to: prioritizing fuel reduction as a primary method of addressing fire prevention through the County’s Hazardous Vegetation Management Ordinance; serving and promoting the activities of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County; leading as Co-Chair on the Yuba River Public Safety Cohort with the District 1 Supervisor; and acting as a continual conduit between the County and fire agencies starting in his first term to champion their operations and sustainability with replacement of Proposition 172 funds. Other accomplishments include the development and launch of the Penn Valley Sewer Pipeline Project and a North San Juan Fire Suppression Feasibility Study.
Sheriff Keith Royal was recognized for his 20 years of service as Nevada County’s 33rd Sheriff and a total of 45 years of public service in law enforcement. His services as Sheriff is the second longest tenure in Nevada County. In addition to a family history of public service in law enforcement and strong educational background in criminal justice, Sheriff Royal has brought the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century with technological advances including implementing multi-data terminals in patrol vehicles. Sheriff Royal has served as the President of California State Sheriff’s Association and built relationships with Sheriffs of surrounding counties who know and trust each other and are ready to help at a moment’s notice.
Congratulations and thank you to District 4 Supervisor Hank Weston and Sheriff Royal for their many years of dedicated service to Nevada County.
