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Election season is just about here…again!

I know, we just did this song and dance a month or two ago with county offices, but this November’s General Election will be all about city offices. The City of Eureka, for example, has three seats on the City Council that will be up for a vote as well as the mayorship.

There are still several days left for new candidates to arise, but let’s meet the candidates who have announced so far!

Mayor’s Race

Kim Bergel, currently representing the Fifth Ward, just confirmed her bid to run for Mayor. Bergel is approaching the end of her second (and last) term on the council. When the Outpost asked whether or not she was going to run for Mayor earlier this afternoon, Bergel exclaimed, “Well, actually I am!”

Bergel via City of Eureka

“This is an opportunity for me to give back,” she said. “[As Mayor], I will continue to do what I’ve always done and work together will the community to meet them where they’re at. I strongly believe that all people have value. …I’m really proud of the accomplishments that [our council] has made over the last almost eight years. I hope to continue to develop my relationship and the City’s relationship with the [Wiyot] Tribe as well. I think that’s really important.”

Bergel, who has served on the City Council since 2014 and works as an instructional assistant for Eureka City Schools, said she is devoted to the community and loves the City “unconditionally.”

“Who better to serve as mayor than someone who has lived here forever and raised their children here?” she said. “I have history here. I have watched our city grow and change. I’ve been a part of a lot of the progressive change that’s happened over the years and I hope to continue to be a part of it.”

Bergel did not say when she would make an official campaign announcement. As of this writing, she is running unopposed.

First Ward

Leslie Castellano took to the steps of City Hall on Thursday evening to formally announce her campaign for reelection to represent the fine people of the First Ward on the Eureka City Council. Speaking to a crowd of about two dozen people, Castellano underscored her commitment to “caring for this place we call home.”

I love Eureka and I am dedicated to working for the people of this city. I’m proud of what has been accomplished over the past four years and know that we must continue to move people-centered, environmentally progressive projects and policies forward in order to address the societal and ecological concerns of our time. 

I’ve stood for innovative approaches to economic development, environmental stewardship and social well-being for the past four years. Some of the key issues I have been working on include access to housing, cultural vitality, community health, sustainable new industries, neighborhood revitalization, opportunities for youth and public engagement with government. During my tenure on council, I’ve met directly with Ward 1 residents to solve problems in the community, held regular town halls and co-organized beautification efforts in Ward 1 and beyond.

Castellano

I serve on numerous boards and commissions – so many boards and commissions! – and through those, I’ve really had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of everything from recycling and solid waste, to the goings of local businesses, to Eureka Main Street businesses. We make decisions there but we also really create a deeper network of engagement for what’s going on within the City and beyond.

I’ve also engaged with people throughout the region in order to share resources, opportunities and ideas for sustainable communities. Additionally, [I’ve taken] our concerns to state leaders and made sure that the North Coast region is considered when policies are made in Sacramento. 

I also acknowledge the Wiyot people who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial. I acknowledge and honor the diverse culture bearers who live and work in Eureka. As a community, we have made market efforts toward addressing the effects of colonialism and systemic racism but our work must be ongoing. I’ve been honored to participate in the return of Tuluwat [Island] and to move forward the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We must constantly strive toward a city where all people have opportunities to thrive. 

We face immense challenges as a community, yet there are opportunities to rise together in compassionate action as we work toward the healing of land and people. These efforts are not the responsibility of only one person or one council, but of an interconnected community working together to advance new approaches to what it means to inhabit a rapidly changing world together.

I’m here to work with you, to learn with you and to co-create spaces where we honor our interdependence. I truly believe that together we can forge new pathways toward collective well-being. I’m excited to continue working with the people of Eureka – in the heart of Eureka – to develop and implement shared visions for a thriving city.”

As of this writing, Castellano is running unopposed for the First Ward seat.

Third Ward

The Third Ward seat, currently represented by Natalie Arroyo, will be up for grabs as well. Arroyo will be departing from the council later this year to join the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors as its Fourth District Representative.

So far, there are two contenders for the coveted Third Ward seat on the council: G. Mario Fernandez and John Fullerton.

Fernandez is a five-year resident of Eureka and a union representative for nurses at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. He is also a member of the Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees.

Fernandez | Submitted

“The experience that I’ve been able to cultivate on the local school board – even during times when things seemed daunting or complicated, especially during the worst part of COVID – the outlook was always, ‘We’ve got to do the best for the children. We’ve got to do what’s best for our community,’” he told the Outpost in a recent phone interview. “I want to give back to our community as much as I can.”

When asked about key issues he hoped to address if elected, Fernandez focused primarily on housing.

“I would like to look at our land use policies and advocate for more mixed residential use and potentially looking at how we can utilize tiny homes and micro apartments for working-class families,” he said. “There are a lot of people who complain about our houseless population, so finding solutions that are going to help alleviate the problems our homeless community is facing is critical.”

Fernandez also emphasized the need to bolster the City’s response to the “encroaching drastic climate changes we’re going to experience over the next few years.”

Fullerton has lived in Eureka since the 1970s and earns a living as a Certified Public Accountant in Old Town. He’s raised his family in Eureka and has a long history of community service via various boards and commissions, including the Eureka Planning Commission. He’s run for a seat on the Eureka City Council a couple of times before, but felt encouraged to give it another shot after “a number of people asked me to help balance the council after a series of bad decisions were made.”

Fullerton | Submitted

“A lot of people feel they did not take the concerns of the people into account nor listen to their concerns in the public hearings that were held,” Fullerton wrote in an email to the Outpost. “They feel the decisions were made beforehand and the public hearings were useless.”

Some of the strengths he would bring to the council are things that have been missing in recent years, he said, including “a strong business background and knowledge of what makes our local economy work.”

“My accounting background assures that before I make any decisions on issues I will gather all the facts and listen to all points of view,” he continued. “I listen to people no matter their background and not just to staff. I treat all the people who make comments with respect and they can be assured I will listen to them.”

Some of the key issues Fullerton would like to address if elected to the council include homelessness, crime and the planned removal of parking lots in downtown and Old Town.

“The homeless issue is a tough one that has no easy answers but ignoring the problem only makes it worse. …The more we tolerate property crime the worse it gets,” he said. “In the past six to eight years we have not had any diversity on the Eureka City Council with no moderates and nobody with any real business experience. Our city will only be improved with a stronger city council that has the diversity and experience that I represent.”

Fifth Ward

So far, Nicholas Kohl is the only candidate running for the Fifth Ward seat, which is currently occupied by Bergel. Kohl was born in raised in Humboldt County and, after traveling throughout his 20s, decided to settle in Eureka, where he currently owns and operates Oberon Grill in the heart of Old Town Eureka. 

Kohl | Submitted

“I really realized I could build more here than I could in a larger metropolitan area on my own, and that’s kind of what led me to choose to come back,” he told the Outpost in a phone interview this afternoon. “I think that choice made all the difference because growing up here there was often sentiment that if you want a nightlife or if you want culture you have to go somewhere else to find it. I decided to come back here and build something I could be proud of.”

Why run for City Council? Kohl said he was inspired by Mayor Susan Seaman who showed him that a participant in the community “could take that risk” and really make a difference.

“I picked up a nomination to the Measure Z Citizens Advisory Committee, which has been an incredible education through the budgeting process, public safety process and its kind of introduced me to a lot of different local agencies,” he said. “Running for council is kind of a natural step for me. I’ve been invested and committed to the community for a long time and I felt this was the time for me to participate.”

Kohl hopes to use the skills he’s acquired as a business owner if elected to the council. He also emphasized the importance of thoughtful development along Eureka’s waterfront, as well as improvements in mental health services and furthering economic growth.

“I want to build a community where we can have economic vitality and growth and pride in our community,” he said. “One of the lessons we’ve learned over the last few years is that there will be challenges that we don’t see coming that we need to be able to address and work together to move through. That’s where I feel it’s important to have diverse points of view and diverse backgrounds represented on the council.”

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The General Election will take place on November 8.

PREVIOUSLY: Owner of Frankie’s NY Bagels Announces Plans to Close, Hopes to ‘Pass the Bagel Torch’ to New Owner

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It was nearly two years ago that Frankie Baker, the aptly named owner of Frankie’s NY Bagels, first announced plans to “pass the bagel torch” by finding a new owner and moving on to other adventures. 

Frankie’s donuts with blueberry glaze and lemon drizzle. | Facebook

Operating out of a commercial kitchen at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, the Rochester native had mastered the art of creating classic New York-style bagels, along with a variety of other treats, such as bagel dogs, bialys and an ever-growing variety of sweets. (His vegan donuts are particularly popular.)

Baker failed to find a new torch-bearer back in 2020, though much to his customers’ relief he has kept at it, operating the business single-handedly with reduced hours while continuing to expand his menu.

A couple weeks ago, however, Baker took to Facebook to announce that he was finally moving on. “This has been coming for a while as most of you are aware,” he wrote.

Once again, dedicated patrons worried that they’d soon lose their cheddar jalapeño bagels, their maple bacon walnut donuts, their bagel sandwiches or perhaps the everything bagel with pickle-flavored cream cheese.

One such concerned patron was East Bay transplant Steve Band, whom Baker introduced earlier this week as the next owner of Frankie’s NY Bagels. Here’s the video:

Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Baker said he’s “so relieved” to have found someone who wants to take over the business and keep the classic menu alive. 

After a bit he passed the phone to Band, whose voice exuded the same enthusiasm he displays in the video above.

“I, like many people in Humboldt County, have come to rely on Frankie’s Bagels for my East Coast bagel fix,” he said. “When I heard it was at risk of disappearing it was too much for me to bear.”

Raised in the East Bay city of Richmond, Band said he has always loved to bake. Still, his wife, who was raised on the East Coast, opened his eyes on a visit to New York City.

“She exposed me to real bagels and my world has never been the same,” he said. 

Band added that he’s in a perfect place to switch life paths because his previous career, as political consultant working on field campaigns around the state, was destroyed by the pandemic. Political consultants mostly work remotely these days. 

“So this is a very different career, but I’m very excited,” he said.

What do Band and his wife have planned once they take over?

“For the foreseeable future we intend on honoring Frankie’s legacy,” he said. That includes keeping the business name.

“We’re gonna keep all the vegan treats as well as the bialys and the cookies. The bagels are gonna stay the exact same for the foreseeable future. If anything we will be adding things. Because my wife and I are Jewish we’ll probably add rugelach, challah and more Jewish treats. And my wife is vegan, so we’re gonna make sure we keep a steady supply of vegan donuts out there.”

Baker, meanwhile, will be taking a job as a youth prevention specialist with the Humboldt Independent Practice Association. A graduate of the Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies program at Cal Poly Humboldt (née HSU), Baker described his new career as being “kind of like a wellness coach for middle schoolers.”

As Baker trains Band to master his recipes, Frankie’s NY Bagels will be open on Sundays for the remainder this month except for the 28th, when it will be closed. Band plans to officially take the bagel torch in September.

Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Human Services:

The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Branch confirmed today the first case of monkeypox in a Humboldt County resident.

This marks the first confirmed case of the infection in the county. Presently, the ill individual is doing well, self-isolating at home and appears to have no close contacts locally.

Monkeypox is a viral infection which is spread through close personal contact, including skin-to-skin contact, kissing and sex. Symptoms of monkeypox include:

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle aches and backaches

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Chills

• Exhaustion

• Sore throat, nasal congestion or cough.

It may also include a rash located on or near the genitals or anus, as well as other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. The rash will typically go through several stages including scabs before healing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which is in the same family as smallpox but less severe. The monkeypox virus is spread to humans from infected humans, animals and materials contaminated with the virus. The current outbreak has impacted mostly gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men. Although the risk to the general U.S. population is low, the following tips can help keep you safe:

• Practice good hand hygiene

• Always talk to your intimate partner/s about recent illness, and be aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the mouth, genitals, anus and hands

• Avoid intimate contact, including sex, with people who have symptoms like sores or rashes

• Avoid contact with infected animals and materials containing the virus

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like a mask, gown and gloves when caring for people with symptoms

• Infected people should isolate until their symptoms, including rash, have gone away completely.

DHHS Public Health received an allotment of 20 monkeypox vaccines earlier this month. Approximately a quarter of the allotment will be used to vaccinate staff in Humboldt and Del Norte counties who will be in charge of vaccinating community members. The additional vaccines are available in case of an outbreak. Staff has also been working closely with the California Department of Public Health and was able to place an order earlier this week for more vaccines. They are expected to arrive soon.

In addition, a small number of vaccines were sent to Public Health for laboratory staff who will be testing monkeypox samples in the lab.

Public Health also recently received more than 400 doses of an antiviral medication which would be made available for people with severe complications.

Additionally, people at high risk for severe monkeypox who are immunocompromised, 8 years old or younger, pregnant or breastfeeding or have a history of skin disease may also be eligible for the medication.

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Candy Stockton said Public Health staff is fully equipped to respond to this case. “The experience learned in more than two years of COVID-19 response has provided staff with a lot of practice mobilizing quickly to assist in administering vaccines and getting individuals set up with the proper medications.”

Dr. Stockton added, “There is a significant difference between how monkeypox and COVID are spread. Monkeypox cases will not lead to widespread closures of schools and businesses in our community.”

While monkeypox is endemic to many Central and West African countries, there have been recent cases of monkeypox reported in non-endemic countries, including the U.S., Canada and the U.K., as well as other parts of Europe and Australia.

To date, there are just over 7,100 cases of monkeypox in the U.S., including more than 825 cases in California. On Thursday, the U.S. federal government declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency.

If you are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for monkeypox, please contact your health care provider. If you do not have a provider, call Public Health at 707-445-6200.

To learn more about prevention steps, visit the CDC at cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention.html.

Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release: 

On Tuesday May 5 , 2022, Agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) arrested Javier Akeem Ruiz-Keyes (30 years old from Arcata) for trafficking cocaine into Humboldt County while armed.

After this arrest occurred, further investigation by HCDTF Agents revealed that Ruiz-Keyes was involved in human trafficking, pimping, and pandering of multiple victims throughout the state of California.

On Thursday, August 4 , 2022, HCDTF Agents, with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Javier Akeem Ruiz-Keyes under the authority of a Ramey arrest warrant and booked him at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) for the following charges:

• PC236.1 Human Trafficking
• PC266H Pimping
• PC266I Pandering

Javier Akeem Ruiz Keyes is being held at the HCCF without bail. Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Big Public Meetings on Nordic Aquafarms and Arcata’s Gateway Area Plan Tonight

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Press release from Nordic Aquafarms:

Yesterday, the Humboldt County Planning Commission voted to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a comprehensive initial step in the Nordic Aquafarms (NAF) permitting process. In addition to that certification, the commission also approved the coastal development permit for Terrestrial Development.

“We would like to convey our appreciation for the many hours of collaborative work done by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, and the County of Humboldt on this Environmental Impact Report” said Brenda Chandler, Nordic’s Interim CEO and CFO. “We consider this certification to be the first of many steps forward to provide a fresh, high quality seafood product, using environmentally sound and state of the art RAS technology, close to consumers on the West Coast of the United States.”

Chandler states that through the FEIR we have had the opportunity to hear the concerns of and address the issues of environmental groups and other interested parties during this first step. “We thank them; and our partners, supporters, and the community for their collaborative efforts in helping us make this the best project for Humboldt County,” Chandler states. “The support from those that took the time to come and speak at the public hearing, as well as send letters of support is greatly appreciated. It is a reminder of how deeply meaningful our presence in the community will be.”

Being transparent and readily available to the community has always been at the core of Nordic’s work on the Samoa Project these past three years. With each step forward, we will continue to engage in open dialogue and strengthen our relationship with the community. The vision of a resilient food system with sustainable, environmentally friendly practices is an exciting prospect to share with evolving aquaculture programs in the local colleges and workforce development programs. Chandler states, “We see a region that is ready to walk with us into a new opportunity to thrive, creating a California brand of close-to- market fish, and it strengthens our commitment to a successful project.”

With the EIR certified, Nordic will now go before the California Coastal Commission and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for the next step in the permitting process.

We look forward to working with the community as we transform a brownfield site into a fish farm that will produce a fresh, top-quality seafood product. “Our philosophy is to approach environmental and social goals with balance,” said Chandler. “Sustainable aquaculture is a solution, a solution to providing healthy protein in an environmentally sound, balanced way.”

With our EIR certified, Nordic will now go before the California Coastal Commission and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for the next step in the permitting process.

We look forward to working with the community as we transform a brownfield site into a fish farm that will produce a fresh, top-quality seafood product. “Our philosophy is to approach environmental and social goals with balance,” said Chandler. “Sustainable aquaculture is a solution, a solution to providing healthy protein in an environmentally sound, balanced way.”

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For the better part of a decade, the City of Eureka has been dreaming up a plan to rehabilitate and restore wetland habitat along Elk River Estuary on Humboldt Bay. The ambitious Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project, which broke ground earlier this summer, will open up a network of waterways connected to Elk River to improve fish passage and provide new opportunities for aquatic recreation.

Congressman Jared Huffman joined Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman, City Councilmembers Leslie Castellano and Natalie Arroyo, city staff, contractors and a couple of LoCO reporters on a walkabout of the project site during his Tour de Humboldt on Tuesday afternoon. 

The restoration project will enhance estuary and inter-tidal wetland habitat across nearly 115 acres of City-owned property between the Herrick and Humboldt Hill exits along the west side of Highway 101. Once the restoration work is complete, critters and humans alike will be able to enjoy 2.8 miles of navigable channels connected to the Elk River including a non-motorized boat launch, a one-mile extension to the Eureka Waterfront Trail and a new parking area at the Humboldt Hill exit.

Area 1 will encompass the north end of the project which seeks to restore 25 acres of saltwater marsh through the removal of 20 acres of invasive Spartina to create a channel network with varied marsh plains. Area 2 on the south side of Elk River will convert 89 acres of existing pasture into a salt marsh and inter-tidal channel network to reclaim the historic floodplain and provide capacity for king-tides and resilience to sea level rise.

“The goal is to remove all of those barriers for fish and aquatic, create a large full title regime here and actually deepen and widen these channels,” Project Manager Katie Marsolan explained ahead of Tuesday’s tour of the project site. “When we’re all done – after large amounts of Spartina removal, grading, earthwork and restoration – this restoration project will allow for a larger tidal cycle and create some resilience to sea level rise, as well as a larger basin for higher tides.”

The City launched the concept development phase of the project in 2015. In the time since the City has conducted multiple environmental studies in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and partnered with the State Coastal Conservancy to secure more than $6 million in grant funding for the project. The City awarded a construction contract to Figas Construction earlier this year to perform earthwork, grading, water management, and trail construction. Construction began in June and will likely wrap up this fall. From there, the City will begin the revegetation process which – along with continued Spartina eradication – is expected to continue through 2024. Monitoring of the site will continue through 2027.

“We’re trying to plant different types of plants that are going to be successful in particular zones,” Patrick Sullivan, project engineer for GHD Inc., told the Outpost while traversing the project site’s dusty and rugged terrain in his truck. “One of the interesting aspects of our partnership with the Wiyot Tribe is [their Natural Resources director] Adam Canter is going to bring in native vegetation that is significant to the Tribe.”

Out on the project site, Sullivan explained how the network of earthen berms and channels will prevent inundation as the sea level rises. “But not necessarily in the way you’re thinking of keeping the tide from coming in,” he said. “It’s more a parking lot for stormwater to come down when we get those big surges during the King Tides of a storm event that might flood Highway 101.”

“Do King Tides already threaten the 101?” Huffman asked.

They do, Marsolan said. Even with drainages within the median, a high tide event could result in localized flooding on the highway. “We’re working with Caltrans to check in on their infrastructure while we’re out here to make sure everything is working properly.”

“And do you think that baby salmonids are going to come down here and love it and get fat?” Huffman asked.

“I think it’s gonna provide some refuge, but I do think this is going to be high turbidity so we’re not sure it’s necessarily rearing habitat,” Marsolan said.

Even still, Sullivan said his team found a few coho salmon while removing the tide gate. “So, maybe not focused on rearing but I’ll bet you lunch they’ll be here,” he said.

The tour ended with a quick jaunt over to a very foggy Stinky Beach, where Huffman congratulated the City for taking on such an immense project and said he looked forward to checking it out after completion.

“The project really shows that the City of Eureka was thinking ahead about how to meet some of the challenges of sea level rise while working to revive some of the reclaimed marshes of Humboldt Bay,” he said. “Pairing restoration and recreation is also a great idea. I’m looking forward to seeing how the project develops over the coming years.”

Scroll for more pictures of Tuesday’s tour.

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From the County of Humboldt:

Congressman Jared Huffman has helped the Humboldt County Department of Aviation secure $850,000 in grant funds from the US Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to be used to attract additional air service for a northbound route.

The SCASDP grant program is designed to help small communities address air service and airfare challenges, and Humboldt County was last awarded SCASDP funding in 2012. After many extensions, the county utilized these funds to attract and launch flight service with United Airlines between the California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (ACV) and Denver International Airport (DEN) in 2019. Service to DEN has consistently been one of ACV’s highest performing markets in terms of the average seats sold. The success of the DEN route in particular placed the county in a strong position to obtain additional funds to help attract new air service to northern states.

“This time we will focus on attracting service to either Seattle International Airport (SEA) or Portland International Airport (PDX),” said Cody Roggatz, Director of Aviation for the County of Humboldt. “With current challenges the airlines are facing in the marketplace, including pilot shortages and high fuel prices, this grant will provide vital assistance to help us leverage our recruitment efforts.”

SCASDP funds will be used to create a Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG), which is used to help an airline mitigate financial risks of undertaking a new route, in addition to marketing efforts for a new route once one is determined. There is a local community match required for this grant of up to $400,000, of which $175,000 has been secured by the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC). Additional funds must be raised for the remaining $225,000 to utilize the full $850,000 SCASDP grant. The Department of Aviation anticipates those fundraising efforts will commence later this year.

“Investments in a lifeline airport like ACV are essential for the safety of the travelling public and to the economies of rural areas,” said Rep. Jared Huffman, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “I’m glad to have delivered this funding, which will help fuel our local economy and boost safety, commerce, and tourism in air travel.”

The additional funding for an MRG comes on the heels of a July announcement regarding significant funding that Congressman Huffman helped secure to improve the runways, electrical and lighting systems at ACV.

“Congressman Huffman recently secured over $13 million in federal funds to make infrastructure improvements to ACV. With this additional $850,000 in SCASDP funding, he has put us in a better position to expand air travel service and bolster economic growth,” said Virginia Bass, Fourth District Supervisor and Chair of the Board. “The Congressman’s many efforts to improve our airports and boost our economy are so appreciated, and I would like to thank him for his ongoing support.”

For more information and updates on the California Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport, please visit the Humboldt County Aviation web page.