Lauren Gill interview

Paradise extends a grateful farewell to Town Manager Gill

By Rick Dean 2. Where do you see Paradise

Special to the Chamber being in 2023 — at the five

Until September Paradise will be a better, safer 2020, a version of a charming little constant in local bedroom community. I see more government has been Lauren Gill, who served the Town of Paradise young families moving to Town because of several projects that will be done in five years. For instance: for thirty-five years and recently retired as Town Manager. The • Funding for the wastewater project will be in place and the project will Chamber recently sat During the recovery Gill presided over many town meetings where be near completion, if not down with Gill and asked her about where residents helped to provide direction and input into the future rebuild of Paradise. • done. The road survey for Paradise has been and where it’s going. the entire Town will be complete and many needed changes will be implemented.

What has stood out to you over the last two years as Paradise rebuilds?

It is remarkable how far the Town has come in two short years, especially since the entire Council and 90% of our Town employees lost their homes. On the one hand, we were part of the chaos, yet we were also first responders. Every day was a whirlwind of responding to emergencies and trying to find solutions. It was like drinking from a fire hose. Rebuilding a city is very different from running one, yet in the midst of the trauma and chaos, we managed to: • obtain a building and put up a one-stop permit center to help residents get permits, grants, information, etc.; • maintain law, order and continuity of government; • work with FEMA, CalOES, Butte County and many other agencies to obtain funding for disaster recovery efforts, including debris removal and a hazard tree removal program; • work with legislators to share our story and gain necessary funding; • work with a consultant and residents to prepare a

Community Long-Term Recovery Plan and began work on projects that residents deemed critical for recovery; • provide access to educational institutions so the world could study the Camp Fire to learn how to better handle future disasters. What stands out the most was the extreme amount of suffering that our residents endured. It pushed me to fight hard for the Town’s recovery.

year mark?

All roads in Town will be repaved. Many businesses will be open to support the reconstruction/rebuilding process. More eating/drinking establishments and multi-family housing will be possible due to the wastewater system. Many more homes will be complete and the schools be greatly improved.

3. What is your biggest concern going forward?

We must not forget how critical it is to hold ourselves to a high standard of fire safety for the entire community. We cannot put back exactly what we had before the fire.

4. What is next for Lauren Gill?

I am looking forward to retirement. I would like to take off in an RV and see our beautiful country. I hope to spend more time with family and friends. I love to read, learn new things, and go for walks on piers, so I don’t see myself sitting around much!

The Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce thanks Lauren Gill for her devoted service to the Town of Paradise. Her insightful leadership guided our community through extraordinary challenge and positioned Paradise for future success. Lauren embodies the spirit of Paradise, and she leaves an outstanding team to carry on her legacy of dedication, vision and service.