The composition of the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors will undergo substantial change this year with three of the five board seats up for grabs.The four-year terms for District 3, held by Supervisor Christopher Howard, and District 4, now held by Board Chairman Gerry Hemmingsen, will expire at the end of the year. Howard is seeking reelection. Hemmingsen is not.The District 5 seat is now vacant following the recent death of Supervisor Bob Berkowitz. The winning candidate for the District 5 seat will complete the remainder of the current term, which ends December 2024.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');The California Primary Election will be held June 7. If a district candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes cast in that district, he or she will avoid a runoff in the November General Election. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will compete for the seat in November.Candidates for supervisor were given the option to have their statements of candidacy printed in the official voter pamphlet distributed before the election. The statements of those candidates and of those who chose not to have their statements published in the official voter pamphlet are presented below.District 3 Christopher HowardIt has been a privilege to serve our community for the last seven years as a County Supervisor. We have brought to the attention of policy makers key priorities, including placing Last Chance Grade as a top priority with Caltrans and the Federal Highways Administration.Addressing public safety concerns is a number one priority, including providing the staff and resources to make our community safer. With voters passing Measure R, law enforcement received a competitive living wage that was long overdue, allowing dollars to be spent on other community priorities like roads, blight and emergency services.Our communities of Gasquet and Hiouchi have benefited from massive fuel reduction measures to make them more fire resilient. And I am focused on bringing skyrocketing insurance premiums back to reality.However, it is not time to rest, for there are many crucial educational, economic and community development opportunities that will need all our help in the coming years. Youth literacy, continuing to foster tourism, and continuing the support of our agricultural producers are but a few of these.If elected, I will not relax, as the future of our children rests on vigilant community leaders with the knowhow and relationships to get it done.Frank MagarinoMy name is Frank Magarino, I’m running for the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors for District 3, and I want to earn your vote and trust. My wife Paula was born and raised in Del Norte County. We married in 1996, and moved to Crescent City in 2006. Together we have built a very successful business which we have been operating for 23 years, among other business ventures.We have been involved in this community for many years, and volunteered in lots of capacities. I was elected in 2016 to the Del Norte Unified School District board, reelected in 2020, and served as president for two years. Prior to that I served as County Planning Commissioner for two years and as a Grand Juror for a year, along with a myriad of other volunteer services. As you can see, we have a deep love for our community and its wellbeing.I would like to bring my years of experience as a business owner and entrepreneur, along with the knowledge and hands-on understanding of the complexity of governmental procedures and how it operates. I believe I can bring a great deal to the Board of Supervisors for District 3. I want to earn your vote. Thank you.Joe “Hank” AkinTime has never been better for the people to govern themselves! I’m running on a no-party preference, with strong conservative values based in Constitutional edict. I am committed to including all stakeholders with open minds to participate in due diligence, to bring forth correct decisions for the right reasons, rather than what’s right for the few.I feel my qualifications include being a Veteran, a father, having attended college, and having resided in Del Norte County for 32-plus years. I have approximately 28 years State service in middle management and investigative services.I have a dedicated untold hours of voluntary service to Del Norte County including approximately five years Sheriff Reserve, 10 years Search and Rescue, eight years Emergency Operations Services, and am currently co-captain of the Hiouchi Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, coupled with governance experience as sitting vice president of Big Rock Community Service District.The issues facing Del Norte County are numerous, convoluted, critical and require immediate, bold and decisive action. The honor of molding the future of Del Norte County is in our hands.District 4Patty AdamsI was born and raised I Del Norte County, enjoying clamming on Kellogg Beach in Dad’s dune buggy and camping in the area. My parents, Peter and Jeanette Nesbitt, were involved in the community as well. Dad was a logger, construction worker, beekeeper, etc. My mother, a Native American (Yurok and Karuk) worked in the lily fields and passed on the importance of 4-H to my sisters and me.After graduating from Del Norte High School, I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal State University, Chico, then moved to the Bay Area. That is where I spent my career. I was deeply involved in business development for several Fortune 500 companies.In 2016, Harry Adams and I married. It was then that I moved back home to Del Norte County, became a realtor for Finigan Real Estate and became involved in our community. My extensive background in sales and my familiarity with the area has allowed me to be successful in business.I will work hard to make Del Norte First! First priority for job growth, a strong local economy, reduction in blight, and improved road conditions. I know I will succeed in making Del Norte my First priority. Brian StoneMy name is Brian Stone, a college graduate with over twenty-three years of government experience working for the state and local government. For the last five-and one-half years I have served you as a County Harbor Commissioner.When I took office, the harbor district was on the brink of bankruptcy and was running a $498,000 deficit per year. By updating the harbor’s lease agreements and using good business practices, the district now has a positive cashflow of $698,000 per year.I helped spearhead the creation and passage of Measure C in 2017 The harbor district now receives $236,815 annually for the repayment of the USDA loan to rebuild the harbor following the tsunami. Measure C does not tax the citizens of our county.I have also worked on the Harbor Redevelopment Plan. When completed, it will add over $2.5 million in new revenue to the harbor.While I was president of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, I helped secure favorable lease agreements with three new fish processing companies. These new leases caused competitive bidding which resulted in increased earnings for the fishing fleet.Let me work for you as your next County Supervisor. Vote for Brian Stone.Joey BorgesI am running for Del Norte County District 4 Supervisor because I feel I can bring a business mindset to our county decision making. I was born in Del Norte County and attended Redwood School, and graduated from Del Norte High School. My wife and I have two boys who are currently in school, and a daughter who graduated from those schools.I have owned and operated my own business in this county since I was 19 years old. I am aware of the needs of a small business and know what it’s like to operate within a budget. Even though this election is for a position in our county government, I still feel it should be run as a business. I may not have all the answers to the inner workings, but I’m not afraid to ask questions and dive into details.I have been heavily involved in youth programs in our county, such as Redwood School PTSO board, DN Cheer Boosters, DN Youth Wrestling, DN Youth Football, and have coached for many years. I strongly believe in the future of our youth!I am looking forward to serving on this board and being a strong voice for the community. Thank you.Margaret Sargent I believe in my community to come together as a whole, through education and build together as one family unit, with old school values.Our community thinking that The District Supervisors have all the answers, hasn't been working. You can give someone a fish, but teaching them how to fish will last generations of self-governing.I want others to gain Systems Knowledge as well; the Root of the Answer for Every Community is focusing on the Mental and Physical Health of our two Greatest Assets, All of our People & All of our Land.Foccus on, Better Quality of Life, for Community to Thrive, Rather than just have the Band-aides we have Witnessed.To Mend Mental Health; Families teaching Children & Homeless to do Community Service in our Community of Del Norte, Whether they are in trouble or not.This will bring Pride into the heart of our community & naturally bring opportunities to those working as one & seperate the homeless in-two; those who want to be a solution & those who don't.Resources of education: Healthy Children & Adults to build on common goals; DownloadMindValley App. Or, https://www.mindvalley.com/programs/entrepreneurship?otag=membership. Also, VAShiva.comDistrict 5 David Markel I am a lifelong resident of Del Norte County, residing in District 5 for over 40 years, I’m a former volunteer firefighter holding rank of Captain at the time of retirement. I assisted in building the Bertsch Tract fire station. Some college education completed. I am currently an elected board member and have board chairperson experience with a local special district. I’m a member of the sheriff’s advisory committee. I am also the former lead mechanic in the timber industry for 32 years.David JonesI am running for District 5 Supervisor. I am a retired building inspector and am the current president of the Klamath Chamber of Commerce for four years. I am also chairman of the redistricting committee, and spokesman for the Measure R committee.I have an established history of over 30 years serving my community. I feel our district has been underrepresented. So, as your district supervisor, I plan to change that by making myself available to all my constituents and listening to your comments and concerns.First, I will look into having more deputy sheriffs for our county. I will look at the current incentives for the new hires and try to enhance them. I will look into our infrastructure, and incentives to attract new businesses, to stimulate our economic development and to create housing.I will look at creative ways to help code enforcement clean up the blight in the county and look into giving the homeless the tools they need to reenter society.I am asking for your vote, as I will be your voice for change for all of District 5. Thank you.Terri ColtonI was born and raised in Del Norte County. I learned my work ethic from my mom and dad, Ace and Jan Hartwick. They always told me, “if you work hard enough, it will happen.” I have applied this throughout my life. I have two amazing daughters and two grandchildren who live locally. I hope to make changes in Del Norte County that will impact the quality of their lives, and yours too.I am currently an accountant for Frank’s Heating and Refrigeration. Not only do I carry with me my experience as a past local motel owner, restaurant manager, and eight years as the economic development deputy director of the Yurok Tribe, but I have also held various volunteer positions within Del Norte County. These include:Fundraising chairman for building of the Del Norte Senior Center and Board of Directors, four years;Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 10 years;Marketing and Tourism Committee Chairman, eight years;Del Norte High School Drill Team Coach, 30 years;Jaycees Basketball Committee, 39 years.My experience, both professionally and through my many years of volunteer work, provide the qualifications necessary to manage current projects, and to envision a future for Del Norte County. Thank you. Dean WilsonAs a husband and father, I know what it is like to want to raise my children in Del Norte County. The concerns you have are the same as mine. I am running for Supervisor because I want to be a servant to those who live in District 5 and call it home. I have lived most of my life in Del Norte County and love our community. My wife and I are private business owners and served in law enforcement for 35 years, the last 12 as Sheriff of Del Norte County.During my time as Sheriff, I balanced the budget, managed a staff of over 60, and built an organization that served our community. I worked and built relationships with federal, state and local government, Tribal Nations, as well as civic groups and non-governmental organizations.As Supervisor I will fight to:Push the Last Chance bypass;Help rebuild lost business due to Covid impacts;Push for forest management to reduce the threat from wildfires;Fiscal responsibility – stay on budget during inflationary times; andRestore effective law enforcementYou honored me by electing me to be your Sheriff. Now I’m asking for your vote so I may serve you as your Supervisor. Thank you.Susan MastenI am running for 5th District County Supervisor because we need a supervisor who has experience with all levels of government, and expertise in creating partnerships to get things done for all the people of Del Norte County.I am a successful business owner, grandmother, and 44-year resident of the North Coast. As owner of the Steelhead Lodge, a small business in the county, I will bring my firsthand experience as a local employer to our community’s economic development strategies, which is more important than ever as we recover post-COVID.Over the next three years there will be an unprecedented amount of state and federal funding available to Del Norte County. But getting our fair share will require local elected leaders with the relationships and experience to navigate bureaucracy, and to successfully advocate for our families and businesses.I am the candidate with this expertise.Del Norte County deserves effective leaders who know how o fight for us in Sacramento and Washington, DC. We live in an extraordinary place, and I want to make it even better by bringing money for jobs, roads, economic development, education, healthcare and broadband internet to Del Norte County.Vote Susan Masten for 5th District Supervisor. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });