Title
Supervisor Briggs recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Adopt a Proclamation to recognize the contributions of Eugene "Gene" Chappie to the County of El Dorado and the State of California; and
2) Forward the Proclamation to the office of California State Senator Ted Gaines with a request to the Senator to initiate the process to designate a portion of State Highway 193, beginning at State Highway 49 in Cool, in honor of Eugene "Gene" Chappie.
Body
Eugene "Gene" Chappie was a long time county resident and rancher who proudly represented the residents of the Georgetown Divide and the County of El Dorado at the local, state and federal levels; a career of public service that spanned four decades.
In 1950, Governor Earl Warren appointed Gene Chappie to a vacant seat on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors where he served until January 1965. He was elected to the California Assembly in 1964 where he served until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980. After three terms in Washington, he announced his retirement in 1986. Upon his retirement, he returned to his family's 640-acre ranch in Cool which is now the site of Auburn Lake Trails. In 1987 Governor Deukmejian appointed him to the California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Commission where he served until 1992. In 1988 Governor Deukmejian appointed him to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors where he served until 1991. Gene Chappie passed away on May 31, 1992, at his home in Georgetown at age 72.
Gene Chappie dedicated his life to serving his county, his country and the American people. In 1941, after graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army and was promoted to the rank of captain while serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He would later serve his country again during the Korean War. In addition to his military service and his service as a County Supervisor, State Assemblyman, U.S. Congressman, and State OHMVR Commissioner, Gene Chappie was a founder of the Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District and the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association. He was a member of the Rotary Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Pilot Hill Grange, Native Sons of the Golden West, the El Dorado County Farm Bureau, the Elks and the Holy Name Society.
As one of the original organizers and supporters of the Jeepers Jamboree, he remained a steadfast supporter of the Jamboree and off-road recreation activities throughout the state. As a member of the California State Assembly, he introduced landmark legislation, the Chappie-Z'berg Off Highway Vehicle Act of 1971 (AB 2342) that was designed to identify and set aside areas specifically for the use of off-road vehicles. As a result of his vision and foresight, hundreds of thousands of miles of roads and trails have been set aside for off-road recreation, creating safe and environmentally appropriate areas for generations of off-road enthusiasts to enjoy their sport.
Supervisor Briggs recommends the Board adopt a Proclamation to recognize the numerous contributions of Gene Chappie to the County of El Dorado and the State of California and forward said Proclamation to the office of State Senator Ted Gaines with a request to the Senator to introduce a Senate Concurrent Resolution to initiate the process to designate a portion of State Highway 193, beginning at State Highway 49 in Cool, to honor Eugene "Gene" Chappie.