A hearing on whether outgoing Arcata City Councilman Brett Watson will be under a permanent restraining order was rescheduled today for Valentine’s Day.

Judge Timothy Canning also ordered Watson to submit a written declaration swearing he has no firearms.

Watson.

The hearing was set for this afternoon, but Canning granted the city’s request to postpone it because one of the scheduled witnesses couldn’t attend. In the meantime Watson remains under a temporary order to stay 100 yards away from City Hall and several city staffers.

However, the judge granted Watson’s request — through his attorney Jay Jambeck — to allow Watson to approach within 10 yards of City Attorney Nancy Diamond’s office, which is downtown and near many businesses.

That was over the objection of attorney Kathryn Cox, representing the city.

“We strongly disagree with this request and think it should be denied,” Cox said.

She pointed out Watson has already been arrested once for violating the order by sending an e-mail to a city employee.

Also, Fox said, there is concern for employee safety because Watson at one point said he owned three guns he couldn’t find. He offered to allow police to search for the firearms but no search was done. Watson reportedly searched on his own, finding no guns and agreeing to sign a declaration.

Fox said she expects five witnesses to testify at the February hearing.

Watson recently lost his bid for re-election.

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