First District Supervisor Rex Bohn opened this morning’s Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting with an apology. 

Without providing any context or further explanation, Bohn acknowledged that he had “said something that was inappropriate” while volunteering as an auctioneer at a local event over the weekend. “I want to apologize and, for that, acknowledge it.”

Bohn | Screenshot

The context of Bohn’s vague apology was not revealed until the end of the meeting.

Following a thorough presentation from Human Resources Project Manager Dr. Jeremy Clark surrounding Workplace 2030! – the county’s comprehensive organizational development and culture change initiative – the board embarked on a discussion surrounding accountability and the need to “do better” as local leaders.

“I’ll use myself as an example here,” said Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Steve Madrone, referring to a previous misstep in which he used the term “Oriental” during a May 2021 board meeting. “One of the first things is to actually become aware or made aware of the issue or the behavior that I might be exemplifying or doing that isn’t appropriate. … The apology is really just kind of the first step because, ultimately, I have to really embrace the change in my behavior that is necessary.”

Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell emphasized the importance of treating individuals with understanding when they do mess up.

“I think we – sometimes as our culture or even our board here – we’re not very tolerant and we really go right to tattletale-type things,” she said. “Approaching a person about something that has offended someone is probably number one in addressing [these issues] in my book. … We don’t intend – not always – intend to offend, and we may not even be aware that we are. Trying to communicate with someone on an individual level first, I think is so important.”

It seemed clear that both Madrone and Bushnell were responding, in an oblique fashion, to Bohn’s apology at the beginning of the meeting, and anticipating what Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo was about to say. Arroyo said, early on in the discussion, that she wished to speak about something following public comment.

When that time arrived, she asked to read a statement into the record on behalf of Humboldt Hill resident Leila Roberts regarding “something [that] happened last weekend.”

“Three nights ago your fellow county Supervisor Rex Bohn made a sexualized joke about a business owner in front of a packed room of more than two hundred business and community leaders gathered to celebrate the region’s most effective, most generous institutions,” the letter stated. “I watched her face fall, even as she was surrounded by friends and admirers. I saw disgust, confusion, stunned silence among some audience members who heard the comment. A few laughed uncomfortably.”

The event – Cocktails & Crooners, the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala, membership meeting and award ceremony – marked a “triumphant and joyful” opportunity to celebrate Humboldt County’s local businesses. Roberts described the female business owner, who she did not name, as “one of our county’s leading lights,” but acknowledged that “their success apparently doesn’t protect them from casual, public, sexist contempt.”

“I want Mr. Bohn held to the same standard of accountability as any executive or public servant,” the letter continued. “Bawdy humor can be fun: in private, among close friends, delivered in a way that no one is demeaned. What Mr. Bohn did, however, was a classic expression of hostile sexism. It’s not funny; nor is it a small glitch. Disparaging humor is a classic strategy to delegitimize, devalue, and dehumanize a member of another group.”

Roberts’ letter went on to question whether it is wise “to send business owners who are women, trans and non-binary to work with Mr. Bohn” and whether they would “receive the respect they deserve.” 

“I have had a few conversations with peers about this and we agree that the attention here needs to be, not on the insulted business leader, but on the problem: one of our County’s most powerful political leaders behaving in a way that dishonors himself, his constituency – including many women business owners, and the County of Humboldt,” the letter stated. “Apparently this most recent nasty, little joke is only one startling example of a pattern that simply must stop. I don’t believe in throwing people out like trash because they’ve messed up, but I do believe in accountability.”

After reading the letter into the record, Arroyo noted that she had spoken to Bohn about his comments the day after the event and said, “I’m aware he’s contacted some of the individuals involved.”

At no point did Arroyo reveal what exactly Bohn had said during the event, only noting that the comments were “quite egregious” and sexual in nature.

“I think a more comprehensive response is warranted towards prevention,” she said. “An apology is helpful, it is the first step, but I recently read a great article about how to apologize effectively and it included saying explicitly what will be different in the future. … I believe that’s critically important to our community, and I’ll stand up for it.”

Madrone thanked Arroyo for her comments and asked whether there were any additional comments from the board. Bushnell made a motion to accept the report from staff, which was seconded by Arroyo.

Bohn sat in silence.

Before voting, Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson expressed his support for Arroyo and emphasized the importance of addressing “uncomfortable” issues.

The motion passed 5-0.

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Click the video below to listen to Arroyo’s full statement.