Pat Sutton – In Memorian

Truckee lost a true public servant on Saturday night January 30, 2010.  Pat Sutton, Mother, Wife, Business Owner, and Public Servant in this wonderful mountain town of Truckee, California was and always will be for me a real stand up person.

Pat was a real role model for all of us citizens.  She was profoundly ethical and forever the representative of the people.  Always questioning to be sure that she was doing the best to represent her constituents.

Pat served in various capacities over the years here in Truckee but will best be remembered (at least by me) as a director on the Truckee Donner Public Utility District Board.  She also had a stint as a Supervisor with Nevada County from 1981 until 1985 and served on the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board from 1982 – 1986.

My memories of Pat mostly involve her tenacious review of PUD technical reports at board meetings.   Others in the audience would squirm with disinterest and impatience because they were forced to sit and wait until she was entirely satisfied with the explanation so that she could render an educated decision.  She seemed to revel in holding the room “hostage” while she asked many questions that had only long, arduous and, I might add — boring answers.  The district employee giving the report would, of course comply and the rest of the room would sleep while Pat sought satisfactory answers.

I will also miss the real and human side of Pat Sutton.  Great sense of humor, friendly and welcoming — always a great ambassador of Truckee.

Goodbye Pat, I will miss seeing you occasionally in the post office or talking to you once in a while when you answered the phone at Robert Sutton Paving.  Another Icon leaves this earth a better place.

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