By Samuel Strait, Reporter at Large – January 11, 2021 On the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Del Norte Board of Supervisors is an item which allows the board to select the next chairman of that body. Let me make a prediction as to who that might be. Since Lori Cowan was going to be the next chairman of the board, but failed to be re elected, the next chairman will be…. wait for it, Chris Howard. There are five members of the Board of Supervisors. Since 2016 the chairmanship has been rotated between only three. 2016 Gerry Hemmingsen 2017 Chris Howard, 2018 Chris Howard again, 2019 Lori Cowan, 2020 Gerry Hemmingsen again, So the next chairman will be Chris Howard, Lori Cowan being replaced. Neither of the two new Board members will be considered, and Bob Berkowitz who has not been the chair for his entire time on the Board will not be considered. It will be a quick nomination, a second and a swift 5-0 vote. UNLESS….. three of the supervisors decide that they want their constituents to have a voice and DEMAND someone else be the chair. Why not Bob Berkowitz? They use to rotate so everyone had a chance. But not anymore. Surprised, why should you be if you have paid any attention what so ever, that the County has been a board of three for sometime. In spite of the fact that the Board has two new members, the Board going forward will consist of two. The new members of the board will now have no doubt received their marching orders via a quiet heads up telephone conversation. The Board with its agenda set by the chairman will proceed in lock step going forward with little concern for the niceties of good government and it will continue in the corrupt fashion it has for the last eight or more years. The Brown Act, the First Amendment are all meaningless words easily ignored when sheltered by zoom meetings where little attention is paid. Ask the State to step in, fat chance. Legal ramifications nonexistent. Time for Eye on Del Norte to spring to action if only to put the spot light on this glaring example of the "Good Old Boy Network". Del Norte County deserves a more transparent government and THIS IS NOT IT!