photo credit: Sonoma County Ag&Open Space

Susan Gorin's third and final term on Sonoma County's board of supervisors ends this month.

"My gift to Joe is a commitment to hiking every regional park in the next couple of years," Gorin told a packed board chamber Tuesday morning. "So look for me on the trails."

Susan Gorin moved with her husband Joe and young family to Santa Rosa in the earlier 1980s.

She was first elected to the Santa Rosa School Board in 1996, then Santa Rosa's city council in 2006, and finally as 1st District Supervisor in 2012, representing much of eastern Sonoma County, and Sonoma Valley.

"I'm so done with answering emails," Gorin said.

Gorin was honored by her fellow board members and colleagues in local government at her final supervisors meeting Tuesday morning.

"You know, there's those dark days during the pandemic and then in the pickle ball wars of Oakmont," Supervisor James Gore said. "It really has been an honor, and I wish you peace and joy and less bureaucracy...all the best."

"I didn't anticipate tearing up, but I'm trying not to cry," Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said.
"I'm really gonna miss you, Susan, and thank you so much for all of your work."

"We also changed the locks on city hall so that you will have your very own key to the city," Sonoma Mayor John Gurney said.

"Oh, So I'm gonna be in the valley tomorrow," Gorin responded. "I'm gonna try out that key. What door does it actually open?"

"It only works during business hours," Gurney said laughing.

Gorin's tenure on the board was punctuated by her stint as board chair during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We remember COVID and the challenges that we all endured during Covid and the shutdowns," Gorin recalled. "Then the anger people expressed at us, why can't we keep our business open? Why can't we keep our restaurants open? Why are you shutting down my business, we're totally safe?"

"...Navigating through that; and it was not only the Covid pandemic, but it was George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, Measure P," Gorin said. "It was a very traumatic year and we were participating virtually, but I really thank my team for all of the work that you put in. Indeed, you would not let me retire early as much as I wanted to."

Gorin will be replaced on the board next month by Rebecca Hermosillo, the only new member elected to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 2024.