Redding Council Member’s Presentation on Potential for Dual Medical Facilities Prompts Pushback
Dr. Paul Dhanuka floated the idea of both a medical school and a substance use treatment facility. One of his fellow Council members took issue with Dhanuka’s proximity to the proposal while another had concerns about who else he chose to involve.
Dr. Paul Dhanuka, one of Redding’s three newest City Council members, changed hats temporarily to present during this week’s meeting, hoping to push forward on his campaign goal of establishing both a new medical school and a chemical dependency treatment facility in Redding.
“For the last six months, as I engaged with the people,” Dhanuka said, speaking from his Council seat, “they told me that the three top problems they have are public safety, economy, and shortage of healthcare, including mental health.”
Dhanuka–a gastroenterologist by trade–believes an expansion of Shasta County’s healthcare system could provide solutions that bridge all three of these community concerns. In his comments to his peers on the Council, he described how a drug treatment clinic could mitigate some of the community’s concerns about crime, and how a new medical school could provide the County’s young people with a variety of healthcare jobs.
His brief comments added little to expand upon statements he made during his campaign, though Dhanuka also called upon community member Chriss Street to present statistical data and demographic information about the County’s health system. Dhanuka referred to Street as a “finance specialist” with a “background in healthcare.” Street was the president and chief executive of a Costa Mesa-based healthcare management company in the 90’s, according to reporting from the Orange County Register. In Shasta County, he’s made headlines both for his leadership position in he secessionist movement New California State and for his near-miss at becoming Shasta County’s CEO last year.
Street presented the Council with data on structural obstacles to medical care that many North State residents know all too well: Shasta County’s relatively low life expectancy; rural communities’ lack of access to primary care physicians compared to their urban counterparts, how much of the Shasta County’s population lives out of reach of a doctor, and the area’s high rates of heart disease and diabetes. He also referenced a potential model for a Shasta-based medical school, a similar program that was launched at Florida State Univeristy in 2000, noting the potential for economic growth with such a project.
“We think the economic impact of this is tremendous,” Street said, concluding his portion of the presentation by discussing the possibility of applying for a “national development grant.”
After the brief overview by Dhanuka and his co-presenter, other Council members weighed in, unanimously acknowledging both the need for more healthcare resources and their confidence in Dhanuka’s commitment to the issue. But some also expressed concerns, with one Council member taking issue with Dhanuka’s proximity to the project and another pushing back on his decision to involve Street.
Council member Mike Littau was the first to share his thoughts. He asked Dhanuka to clarify whether such a project would fall under the jurisdiction of the City or County, given that much of the presentation made reference to a plan at a more County–wide scale. Dhanuka said while mental health and substance use have become a “burden” for the City, he believes the County should pay for such a project. He then added that “it behooves me to first bring it to my fellow Council people” in order for the City to have the first advantage of any economic benefit.
Dhanuka has already presented a more detailed version of the substance use facility idea to the County. In November, his wife and fellow physician Promila Dhanuka, presented the idea on his behalf, in hopes that the project might receive a portion of opioid settlement funds. The Board did not move the Dhanukas’ project proposal forward at that time, although Supervisor Kevin Crye has continued to mention Dhanuka’s importance to planning related to the County’s medical and substance use needs.
Littau also cautioned Dhanuka about the protocol of a Council member presenting on an initiative he’s so directly involved in.
“We wouldn’t do this for every business in town, you know,” Littau told Dhanuka “and I want to be careful that we’re not giving you preferential treatment for your vision. It sets a standard that any business in the City could come to us, do a presentation, and ask us to do resolutions.”
In response, Dhanuka assured those in the chamber that the medical projects he had presented are not part of his business. He did not clarify who is involved in the projects or why he was the one taking the lead on presenting it. Later, in comments to Shasta Scout, Dhanuka clarified that his involvement with the proposals is “volunteering my labor, experience, and bridge-building skills” saying “many people are helping (with the projects) and many more are willing to help.” He also emphasized that Shasta Scout should “focus on the opportunity rather than any individuals.”
State law directly addresses the concern Littau broadly raised. According to the California’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPCC) a prohibited conflict of interest occurs when politicians engage in “biased decision-making that could sacrifice the public’s interest in favor of the official’s private financial interests.” A financial interest in a contract is defined broadly, the FPCC says, by whether the individual might stand to gain financial profit, or risk financial loss, in any way – either directly or indirectly.
The other notable concern about Dhanuka’s presentation came from Council member Erin Resner, who did not take issue with the idea itself, but with Street’s role in presenting it. Resner accused Street of going on “witch hunts against multiple elected officials and community service members” in Redding. Her statement was a reference in part, she later told Shasta Scout, to his writing online, where Street has repeatedly scrutinized the nonprofit Children’s Legacy Center where Resner sits on the Board. Via a seven-part series on the CLC, Street has made claims of financial mismanagement at the organization, without providing documentation.
Last year, in the weeks after Supervisors voted to rescind Street’s offer for the County CEO position, he responded by accusing the County of engaging in illegal financial management practices. Elected Shasta County Auditor Nolda Short responded to Streets’ allegations during a public presentation to the Board shortly after, pointing out that the transactions Street had flagged for the public were neither unexpected nor illegal. The Board thanked Short for her presentation and took no action on Street’s allegations.
On Tuesday, Resner told her fellow Council members declaratively that she “won’t be at any point in time entertaining any sort of project that has Mr. Street connected to it because it is a vast liability to the city of Redding.”
Street did not respond to a request for comment on Resner’s accusation.
Appearing to address Resner’s pushback, Dhanuka told Shasta Scout in a series of text messages after the meeting that he believes its time to “look above the individual personalities and move beyond unnecessary conflicts.”
“When asked to elaborate on what he meant by “unnecessary conflicts,” Dhanuka answered simply.
“Anything that distracts us from doing good for our community.”
Do you have a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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If Street is involved, no.
Are the comments going away on a permanent basis? I certainly hope not. Whatever I read online, I always enjoy the comment section as well. Say, it ain’t so.
The children’s legacy center is nothing more than a cash cow for Bethel members running it. Come-on, Johnson’s married to the leader of Bethel’s brother, yet claims no ties to bethel. 😂 Resner on the board? She’s stirring church which is a proven ” planted” church of bethel.. too much cult involvement to be anything but a cash cow for the employees.
Wow, that explains a lot of things about Kimberly Johnson & Resner. What’s her husband’s name? Any relation to Bill Jonson ( Bethel’s apostle)?
Before you trust Chriss Street, do some rudimentary background search on the guy and you will see that he is not to be trusted.
Don’t take the word of some anonymous commenter who is on a propaganda mission. Also, don’t take my word for it, do your own research.
But it’s not that difficult to see what type of person he is if you are genuinely looking for the truth.
Resner clearly has no business being in local politics if she cannot work with someone she doesn’t like, for the good of all the people. Before you trust her listen to Chris Streets reports on the failure and fraud of the Children’s Legacy Center where Resner sat on the board. Watch on Mountain Top Media if you want the truth about Resner! Dr Dhanuka has a great idea and to not explore and consider it because of a personal conflict is childish of Resner and not for the good of We The People! Street investigated the truth of the huge waste of money involved in her organization. She should not be in politics with her simple, narrow, ignorant mind!
I appreciate that Dr. Dhanuka is so diligent in trying to do something about these issues. Redding has a very serious problem with drug use and mental health. It impacts public safety, businesses, education and the whole realm of society here in Shasta County. Attracting good medical personnel is another goal. I hope his vision will become reality.
I left a reply based on accountability, but it has been deleted. I see.
Jon: I have not deleted any responses.
This was my full statement to Shasta Scout:
“These healthcare initiatives reflect a serious need and a sincere desire of our people; and they will be owned by the community with a role for all the stakeholders. My role in this is limited to volunteering my labor, experience, and my bridge-building skills.
It is time for us to look above the individual personalities and to move beyond conflicts. We need our leading voices to focus on our challenges as well as on the opportunities. I urge the press to shape such a positive conversation in our community.”
Dr. Dhanuka: Thanks for sharing!
It would be really great if we had less local politicians in Shasta county who don’t have these conflicts of interest.
Finally! Some forward-thinking coming from a City Councilman! Let’s get the personal conflicts out of the equation, shall we? Shasta County has had a reputation for as long as I can remember for having the worst mental care available in the north state. If you want to attract doctors, you must put your best foot forward. Dr Danuka has an excellent idea. It looks to me like some people are pissed off because they didn’t think of it first. The city council needs to move forward on this, and if they don’t, then Shasta County BOS should get the ball rolling. What are you waiting for? More people to die because you are trying to protect the Children’s Legacy Center? From what I hear, the Legacy Center made out quite well at the expense of the Zogg Fire Victims.
Hey Barb: You definitely got that last part wrong: the CLC received a portion of Zogg Fire settlement funds at the REQUEST of the family of a victim.
Yes, I know the story behind the settlement. I find it interesting that you are so quick to come to the defense of the CLC. I don’t have to agree. That does not make me wrong. Let’s stick to the issue at hand, that being the pathetic situation in Shasta County of not being able to attract good Doctors to the area and the sad reputation of Shasta County where mental health is concerned. This is a serious problem that up to now, has gone unchecked.. Dr. Danuka has a solution. Resner’s ego and the narrow thinking of other councilmen should be called out. They are part of the problem. We need people who are not afraid to be part of the solution. The City Council needs to get behind Dr. Danuka and a make this happen.
Barb: You wrote: “From what I hear, the Legacy Center made out quite well at the expense of the Zogg Fire Victims.” That’s factually inaccurate. The settlement funds received by the CLC were dispersed at the behest of a victim’s family.
Also, so far Dr. Dhanuka has an idea. We have yet to see if it becomes a solution. Ideas are plentiful. Implementing a workable solution is the hard part.
A physician is precisely the person that would have the best understanding on healthcare related solutions. I would suggest using the opioid money to establish a RAPID DETOX CENTER. It immediately detoxes opiates, and if used with Naltrexone, which takes the cravings away, for a min of a year, it’s extremely effective in recovery. It was developed by the Israelis for military nembers that became addicted after being wounded.
Reddings biggest problems come from people that are on the Council with no experience, making decisions about recovery, and city planning, and have completely decimated our downtown; and countered all the money used for development by placing transitional housing there. So PLEASE give weight to those more qualified. Erin Resners grievances shouldn’t be a factor on policy.
Anyone who trashes the legacy of an 8yr old girl and her mom is scum. To do it in pursuit of a political agenda is deceitful scum. Anyone who echos it is idiotic scum. Wear your sign.
Why don’t they just hit bethel up for the $$, put their facilities on bethel’scampus, and leave the city and county out of it.
They wouldn’t even need a medical school- they can heal via prayer, lamentations, wailing and prophetic lessons.
I wonder what Piyush thinks will happen to him if Chriss Street and his group of the usual idiots ever got their way? He probably thinks he’d be fine.
Well, Doc, perhaps you should acknowledge that throwing in with people of questionable veracity, and controversial history could be problematic. If you want to move beyond personalities being an impediment to progress for our community, vet your people better.
I was afraid you would be tone deaf to the concerns of many of us who see you hanging with fanatics and attention hogs.
Well said, Don.
Of all the people in Shasta county, Chriss Street is perhaps one of the worst to throw in with.
And nobody needs to take my word for it. A little background research on Chriss Street shows that he is not qualified to be anywhere near this project.
OMG ! Just when I thought I had a handle on Dr. D, he goes sideways again…during his campaign he was all over the political map, trying to appease everyone…of course he won, anyone spending the amount he did will likely get elected. Too bad, too, because his idea is a good one for the north state. But, as Resner pointed out, anything that Chriss “Crye’s Puppeteer” Street is involved with is poison for Shasta Co. residents. Ask him about why he left Orange Co. for Shasta Co. Hint: Something about being sued by the county for his misdeeds. Not to mention he’s President of the New California State, another goofy State of Jefferson plan to remove Shasta County from the State of California; without no plan on how it would survive. Ain’t gonna happen as it would take a vote of the whole state and we sane and civil persons aren’t going to let the Golden State leave its position of being the 5th largest economy on the planet. And about this oft mentioned, ‘no docs here in Redding/north state’…then why have I been able to find docs to take care of my medical needs, I have 8 fine docs I can consult with at any time. Henceforth, it’s going to be very difficult to follow Dr. Dhanuka’s logic and efforts to make Redding Great Again. Off to a bad start, kiddo. Kudos to Erin and Mike for seeing through the vail.
Absolutely agree, Frank. If street is involved, we can be assurd that the County and City will be left holding a bag of grift and graft if any project he is a party to goes forward. And I find dhanuka less than believable, too.
Mr. Treadway, just want to point out that in spring 2024 I had to leave the area to find treatment for a newly diagnosed breast cancer. No local surgeon, medical or radiation oncologist responded to the referral requests my primary care physician made on my behalf. It may be your good fortune to have well-established relationships with your medical providers. However, should you need a new medical specialist, finding one in Shasta County who will take up your care can be an arduous process.