Supervisor Lynda Hopkins
I’m the Fifth District County Supervisor, representing our wild and wonderful West County. As a supervisor, I’m the only local elected official for our unincorporated communities with jurisdiction over land-use decisions, infrastructure, roads, and other day-to-day issues (like garbage contracts). While our residents inside city limits are also represented by their city councils, I work with council members to collaborate and support urban residents as well. I’m also a proud mom of three, a rural resident myself, and a recovering organic farmer; while we’re no longer full-time farmers, my husband and I still tend an orchard, grow our own veggies, and raise goats.
Describe your idea of perfect happiness.
In a silent redwood forest; tumbling through a wave in the Pacific Ocean; surrounded by granite and alpine forest in the Sierras. I find bliss in the moments in which my body is surrounded by nature and my mind is so awestruck by beauty that it goes silent.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself, and why?
I spend so much of my time communicating that sometimes I have no capacity to communicate with the people I love most—old friends.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Livestock, especially dairy goats. Don’t ask me how much money I’ve spent on goats and heirloom poultry over the years (and please don’t mention it to my husband, either)!
Explain what you consider to be your greatest achievement.
Honestly? My family. I’m lucky to have found an amazing life partner—we’ll be celebrating 13 years of marriage this month—and to have brought three kind, creative, too-smart-for-their-own-good children into the world with him.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I could list hundreds of names for this answer. I’m in the extremely fortunate position of being paid full-time to work for the community. But there are so many folks who dedicate countless unpaid hours in pursuit of a better world. My heroes are the tireless volunteers who make our communities a better place—folks like the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Russian River Alliance & Clean River Alliance volunteers, and so many others who stay up late at night and get up early in the morning to squeeze a few more hours out of the day to do good.
What is your motto?
A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.
What are your three favorite things about living in Sonoma County?
Redwoods, river, and coast—including the people who live there.
What local business would you like people to be more aware of, and why?
I’m going to rebel and pick two: Bohemian Creamery and Valley Ford Creamery. Our local dairies are struggling with the rising costs of feed and stagnating milk prices. These are great storefronts from local dairies that have some of the most delicious cheese you can find, tucked into absolutely beautiful corners of West County.