Rickert Says She’ll Bring Knowledge and Experience to the Board; Harmon Says He’ll Bring “Fresh Blood”
Corkey Harmon is running against incumbent Mary Rickert for a County Board seat this fall. He says he has a lot to learn, but thinks he’ll bring “fresh blood” that will diversify the current Board. Rickert says she brings a depth of knowledge and experience on key topics like mental health and substance use.
Only a few dozen people attended a recent League of Women Voters candidate forum for the County’s District 3 Board seat. The event was held on Thursday, September 12 in the City of Shasta Lake, far from District 3.
Rancher and eight-year incumbent Mary Rickert is running to retain her seat against Corkey Harmon, a political newcomer and business owner who said he was motivated to run because he’s ready to “give back” to the community.
The two candidates answered a series of questions submitted by audience members.
On their Top Priority
Rickert said she wants to address mental health and substance use issues, which, she indicated, are a major factor impacting public safety as well as the County’s high rates of suicide, domestic violence, and elder abuse, among other issues.
“So much of this is the basis of substance use and mental illness,” she said. “If we are able to address those issues we’re able to get at the ground level of what needs to be done.”
Harmon described his top priority as ensuring that the Board gets along. He blamed all five of the Board members for the contentious climate at County meetings and assured the audience that one of the things he’ll bring to the Board is his ability to get along with people.
“It needs to be friendly. There’s no reason we can’t disagree on something and be polite about it,” Harmon said. “I want to go in there and reach across to every one of them and represent the people.”
Rickert responded by saying she got along fine with her fellow Board members during her first four years on the Board.
“We didn’t always agree,” Rickert said, “but we compromised and supported each other and we got along great.”
On Measures P and Q
Harmon said he couldn’t remember much about Measures P and Q, two local propositions on the ballot this fall, but he supports charter counties.
Measure P asks voters if they’d like the County to include as part of its recently-approved charter the issue of eminent domain, which relates to the government’s power over private property that’s needed for the public’s good. Harmon said he didn’t know many details about the ballot measures and struggled to remember the term “eminent domain” but was assisted by forum moderator Susan Wilson, who helped filled in the blank.
“A little bit of deer in the headlights here, sorry,” Harmon told the audience, recovering.
“I’m all about property rights,” he followed up, more confidently. “I think that eminent domain is a big deal.”
Measure Q would give the Board the power to decide how midterm vacancies of elected officials other than county supervisors are filled. Under current law, the Board must fill elected officials’ seats by appointment. That appointment can last only until the next general election or for the rest of the vacated term. If Measure Q passes in November, the Board will have the option to hold a special election or appoint someone until the next general election.
Harmon didn’t address Measure Q at all, speaking instead about how Board members can be replaced if their seats are vacated midterm, something that was decided by the passing of Measure D in the spring.
“I’m a little behind here,” Harmon acknowledged to the crowd.
“Please don’t be critical of me not knowing all the little details. I’ll learn all the little details. I’m very studious and I’m very much about representing you and the people.”
On Measure P, Rickert said that the County has only used eminent domain three times in the last five years, twice for bridges and once for a bike lane. Shasta Scout has not confirmed this information, which Rickert said was provided to her by County Public Works Director Troy Bartolomei.
She too did not address Measure Q directly, instead referring back to details related to Measure D which passed in March and gave the Board, instead of Governor Gavin Newsom, the power to fill midterm vacancies on the Board.
Recounting from her own experience over the last three to four years, Rickert said that Boards can become politically lopsided, emphasizing her belief that the people themselves, not the Board, should have been given the voice on who fills elected seats.
“I am absolutely against it, I think it gives too much power to the Board of Supervisors,” she said.
On Decorum in Board Meetings
Rickert reminded the audience that COVID changed the tone of County meetings. As Chair of the Board at the time, serving alongside a brand-new CEO, Rickert said she and others on the Board were blamed for peoples’ discontent, despite the fact that COVID restrictions were not within the Board’s jurisdiction.
She noted that when the Board chambers were closed due to statewide restrictions, she and others made email and phone comment options available and even placed a microphone outside the back door of the Chamber to give people closer access.
Contrasting her own manner of responding to the public now against that of other Board members, she said, “when people speak up against the Board there’s no need for members of the Board to answer back. When you show respect to people in the audience, that sets the tone.”
Harmon did not answer the question directly, instead claiming that he would not have closed the Board chambers during COVID had it been up to him.
“That was the beginning of all our problems,” Harmon opined. “I really believe that.”
He said he’d help improve the tone at the County by putting people in the right jobs and not “allowing those who are not fitting in” to be given management positions.
On the Elections Commission
“It’s been tarred and feathered and I know it’s a touchy subject,” Harmon said, qualifying his thoughts about the Shasta Elections Commission. “I don’t think it’s that touchy. I think we should be very optimistic about what they can dig up and find.”
The Shasta County Elections Commission has been operating since the fall of 2023. Commissioners have not released any documentation that supports allegations of fraud made repeatedly by a few members of the community at every meeting. Instead the Commission has issued a series of recommendations to the Board, some of which have encouraged the County to break state elections law.
Harmon said in addition to supporting the Elections Commission, he’d like to require voter identification at the polls, something that’s illegal in California as well as some other states because it limits some people’s ability to vote.
“I see a lot of people shaking their heads,” Harmon said. “I don’t know why you’d be against voter ID. Why would you be against voter ID?”
Rickert told the public she continues to oppose spending money on the Elections Commission because the Commission has yet to produce any evidence of wrongdoing.
“They . . . have not brought anything of substance to the Board,” she said, “that has proven any irregularities, any voter fraud.”
Rickert also expressed concern that the Commission has made multiple recommendations that the Board break state law.
On Hand Counting Votes
Rickert referenced studies showing that hand counting is more expensive, more time consuming and has a higher error rate when used to count large numbers of ballots. She also reminded the public that hand counting is already used by the County as an auditing measure, something that’s required by state law.
Harmon said he doesn’t have a problem with hand counting.
On Responding to Homelessness
Harmon said he’s sympathetic to people who are living outside but believes that services for those community members should be conditional on “strings” and “accountability,” including drug testing.
Harmon did not seem aware that all California housing and homeless funds now require grant recipients such as the County to use “housing-first” principles, which don’t allow for barriers like drug testing. California requires this approach because evidence-based studies show that providing access to stable housing first helps people reduce substance use and seek treatment for mental health needs.
Rickert said she’s focused on increasing access to housing as a means to reducing homelessness, and will continue to do so. Among other comments, Rickert cited her work to bring Burney Commons, an income-qualifying housing project, to the County.
“It’s been shown and proven,” Rickert said, ”that housing does stabilize people. It gets them so they are more functional and able to be productive citizens.”
Harmon responded by saying projects like Burney Commons are “low income,” which he said is “something completely different” than housing for homelessness, appearing unaware that lack of access to affordable housing is the leading cause of homelessness.
On Responding to District 3 Needs During the Park Fire
Rickert recounted multiple visits to the evacuation center in Bella Vista as the Park Fire crept closer to Shasta County’s border. She said she surveyed the Rodeo Grounds where large animals were evacuated, visited the Office of Emergency Services and spoke to the County’s CEO several times a day.
Harmon did not directly answer the question, citing instead his business experience working on fire clean-ups. He promoted Sierra Pacific Industries’ forest maintenance projects, saying they could be a useful model for how the County responds to fire damage.
On How to Use Proposition 1 Funding
After sharing a personal anecdote, Harmon underscored his sympathy for those with mental health issues and said that state assistance has “let us down.”
“We need to get funding that will give us the proper tools that we need . . .” he said, without mentioning how he would use Proposition 1 monies, a new funding source coming to the County soon.
Rickert described a number of successful mental health programs she’s helped the County obtain, including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the Shasta County Jail. Sharing specifics of bed numbers, Rickert said the County does not have enough beds for those with mental health issues, something Prop 1 funds could help supply.
In Closing
Harmon said he hoped he hadn’t disappointed the audience, explaining that he knows Rickert has more experience, but saying he believes it’s time for a change.
“I’m the change that needs to happen,” Harmon said. “I think we need somebody that’s fresh blood that can step up there and reach across the aisle.”
He said he also wants to bring “forensic audits” and “come up with the money for the jail.” All five Shasta County supervisors recently acknowledged that there is not enough money to construct a new jail and that a county-wide sales tax to provide that money is unlikely to pass.
Rickert said she’s excited to work with new incoming Board members Allen Long and Matt Plummer as part of a non-partisan Board that represents all the people of Shasta County.
“I care about each and every one of you and I really care about the most vulnerable in our communities. I’ve invested decades of my life to that and I want to continue that and use my knowledge and my experience to move this County forward.”
You can see the full video of the candidate forum here. Have a correcion to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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It would be wise of Win Carpenter, who did not advance to the General Election, to be neutral in terms of any endorsement for Supervisor in District 3, (he only won 2 precincts). His followers surely see that Mr. Harmon is simply not fit to fill one of the most important seats in Shasta County. Mr. Harmon is for more windmills, while the citizens and tribal members are opposed, as is Mary Rickert.
Hi Frank: I do not believe your statement about Harmon’s support for windmills is true. He told me he opposes the Fountain Wind project.
That’s correct. He absolutely opposes Fountain Wind and sees it as State overreach. I’m not sure where these rumours get started.
Annalise you had published another article “Meet Corkey Harmon” you asked him who has been his biggest donor to his campaign?
He responded it was one of the local unions here in town, He said he belonged to a Union, but did NOT advocate for Unions. He accepted the Unions PAC Money but DOES NOT advocate for Unions, I would be very upset if I belonged to that particular Union and my donation to the PAC fund went towards Mr. Harmons campaign.
If one checks with Mr. Harmon’s FPPC reports, I believe you’d find that he received contributions from the Operating Engineers Union #3, here in Shasta County. Which would benefit Mr. Harmon, being a contractor, as he would get the contracts from the OE3 when they become a Request for Proposal…hopefully Mr Harmon would recuse himself from any contracts of that nature, should he be elected on Nov 5.
I have never seen in 20 years of being a homeless advocate seen a blind homeless person before. This poor gal is walking with a red and white cane legally blind walking into Tortilla Flats wall etc…. she said later when I talked to her she does manage to make it to the mission sometimes for food, but apparently lives outside.
Her name is Angel
Good News Rescue Mission paid staff member said they kicked her out of mission and lots of other homeless people and he cant figure out why only allowing her to go there to eat
When called a staff member at Mission Mike Weidman? said “We have to draw the line somewhere”
Apparently, that line includes blind homeless girls
True, there’s 2 sides to every story.
I found it interesting that Harmon didn’t recall what Measures P and Q were about, however those two measures were talked about at length at two recent board meetings. I get that a newcomer wouldn’t be expected to be familiar with historical county issues, but if someone is wanting the job of County supervisor, then the least they could do is watch the meetings and have a solid understanding of the issues facing the county right now.
TY AP. Appreciate the balanced response to Jon. 🙂
I agreed with Jon, not you Analise
With all due respect, many of the problems that the current board faces were created by past board decisions. Mary Rickert is a lot like Kamala Harris! They both think they can fix the problems that they created! Having fresh blood with a long-term resident is precisely what we need. Generally speaking, when the right group gets in, they do spend quite a bit of time cleaning up the mess made from the past. Make no mistake the likes of Leonard Moty and others cause these issues
Jon: I know what you mean. In A.C.I.D. a political newcomer ran against an experienced board member with very specific ideas on what to change and how to change them. I’d like to hear specifics from Harmon. Saying you get along with people and bring a new perspective is a start but how, specifically, will he work towards change? Harmon didn’t share policy specifics in response to most questions which leaves me wondering what new perspectives he’ll bring. In contrast, Rickert offered a lot of specifics that she’s been talking about for a long time but can’t make happen with the current board majority. That gives voters something to work with.
I had Jim Rickert on my show, “Poke The Hornet’s Nest” and he didn’t have any specifics that I recall besides “Brenda Bad”
Hi Nick-
That interview is probably your most listened to interview ever due to it being showcased in the documentary, “ACID Canal.” That interview was featured to an international audience in an award winning documentary! That’s all you gleaned from it? Yikes.
BTW- thanks for having me on the show! It really helped get my information out to voters in the district and I think it helped me a ton. We’ve made some great progress at ACID- still a long ways to go but heading in the right direction!
TY AP. Appreciate the balanced response to John. 🙂
Don’t forget Patrick Jones pressed for the appointment of an attorney who knew nothing about the elections department over the most experienced person in the office when Ms. Darling retired. That made a lot of sense.
I disagree with your conclusion about the appointment of an unexperienced person to head the elections department. Same goes for electing a good old boy instead of an experienced leader. That would follow the apparent pattern throughout the local government offices; force retirements, or fire without cause, and then bring in friends and yes-people. I hope you were being sarcastic.
Completely agree! “Getting along with people” is very vague, and may mean you cave to the pressure of the outspoken MAGA board members! We need strong leadership that is willing to stand up to, and engage change that is best for ALL Redding residents. Not what’s best for personal interests!
Agreed–“Rickert reminded the audience that COVID changed the tone of County meetings. “-Covid problems were over a long time ago. The chaotic tone at the meeting currently created solely by the recall people who lost.
The vid opened up our eyes to see the truth of state gov. That Newsom and even his buddies in the legislature wielded power not theirs, reaching into citizen lives on a very personal level, taking responsibility that isn’t theirs. It shook to the core.
Howdy Nick…From what I see and hear when you get to the mic for your 3 minutes, it’s you that’s part of the causation of chaos, your rude words that flow from your mouth are just very ungentlemanly. Any chance of you knocking that off ?
Excuse me, but all of the discourse & problems with the current board rest at the feet of Patrick Jones, not Mary Rickert. Thankfully he will only be on the board until January.
Hey Jon, Mr. Harmon sounds like a clone of Patrick Jones, who’s leaving the Board as of Jan 2025…sorry, we don’t need another naysayer. Until Mr. Harmon provides some specifics, I can’t see where he’d add any ‘new blood’, but same old, same old.