Commissioner French leads last meeting, served for 12 years

Serving as a County Commissioner is not always easy, but it sure is worthwhile, according to James “Jim” French, who served on the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners for the past 12 years. 

French, serving as the chair of the Board, recently led his last meeting as a Commissioner on Dec. 12, as he has served three full terms (terming him out) representing the County. 

French was elected to the Board of Commissioners, taking office in January 2011, after retiring from three decades as a Wildlife Biologist for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 

“When I retired [from NDOW], I really felt that the county had been absent with regard to an awful lot of input into how things are decided on public land and so I felt like there was room for a lot of improvement there…In these rural counties with large percentages of ground that is owned by the federal government, every decision that’s made on it really has a very, very large impact,” explained French. 

French went to bat for the County based on that notion, serving on multiple state and national boards and committees, like the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, the National Association of Counties, and more. 

“I’m glad I waited till I was in my 60s to do it. Because it gave me an opportunity to really understand the community, understand natural resources issues and understand how budgets and how taxes actually interact with themselves and how they impact people. Again, I’m so glad I waited, because I don’t think as a 30 something biologist I had that experience yet,” explained French. 

Inarguably the highlight of French’s time as a Commissioner was making congressional testimony in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Humboldt County concerning how the U.S. Department of Interior regards input from state and local governments for land use planning and meeting former President of the United States, Donald Trump, in 2017. 

French was present as the President signed the executive order disapproving and rescinding House Joint Resolution 44, making sure Humboldt County’s voice was heard. 

“They absolutely know who we are and what we are and in what way we prepare, and we are relevant—that’s the important thing. You know, lots of people make lots of noise and lots of people are banging the drum and whatnot, but you want to maintain your credibility and you want to be relevant. And, and I think we did both,” said French. 

According to Humboldt County Manager, Dave Mendiola, French was a “tireless” leader during his time on the Commission. He focused on relationships with federal, state and local agencies, and maximizing access to public lands and “fight[ing] any effort to minimize access to these lands for our agriculture, mining and recreation needs”.

“Jim was my mentor when I was hired in late 2014. He immediately laid out a plan for what he believed were the most important issues facing Humboldt County and he was a driving force to ensure that those goals were met,” said Mendiola. 

Although he plans to do plenty of fishing and work in his woodshop, French does not plan to sit idle in years to come. Humboldt County Commissioner, Ron Cerri, has asked French to head a Public Lands and Natural Resources Committee for the County. 

“[Commissioner Cerri] asked me to lead [the committee] up for him as a retired Commissioner, and I agreed to do that. I’m not looking for a contract, I’m not looking for compensation. I told him that my kids are here, my friends are here, and it’s my home. So I’m not going anywhere,” explained French. 

French also explained his optimism towards the future of the Commission and subsequently the County. He explained that with diverse backgrounds—each with a vested interest in the prosperity of the community— and development of the County’s Master Plan (guidelines for what the County expects from the federal government and the values of the County) the Commission can continue to speak to the best interest of the community.  

“I marvel at the fact we’re so lucky in Humboldt County. I marvel at the fact that we have five commissioners sitting on that Board and all five of them have completely different backgrounds…We deeply respect one another’s opinions and we’re civil, and we don’t agree all the time, but we agree on one thing—that we’re all there for the right reason,” said French.  

Many of those who worked closely with French for the past decade came forward to thank him for his time on the Board during his last meeting. 

“I’m sorely going to miss you being on this Commission…You have taught me so much,” said Commissioner Cerri.