Every election, KEET-TV and the League of Women Voters team up to host “candidate forums,” in which local candidates for office submit themselves to a light grilling. 

These have become the most important media events of local elections. Some people will go out to candidate meet ‘n’ greets or other forums that are held in-person, but for most voters the KEET/League debates are the best opportunity to see their candidates think on their feet. They are invaluable.

This cycle of debates for the office of county supervisor are all in the bag, now. If you missed them live — and if you live in the First, Second or Third District — you might want to take a gander at them below.

The Outpost, in a little attempt at a value-add, has posted links to all the questions asked of the candidates during these forums. Click those links and it should zoom you to that part of the video.

Unfortunately the interface is a bit wonky and we don’t have the time or patience to refine it further. You might have to click a question twice to get to that part of the video. And you can’t click the video itself to start or stop them, or weird stuff happens.

Sorry! If it’s too frustrating, head on over to KEET’s YouTube page, where you can get the same videos in a familiar, non-wonky format but without the annotations. 

First District Forum

• What are your qualifications?
• What is your stance on Measure A?
• What actions can be taken to eliminate flood risk and damage in Elk River, and should the county pass a forestry ordinance with surety bonds that enforce the federal guidelines?
• How would you address the problem of homelessness county-wide and in your district?
• What is your assessment of health care services in your district and county-wide? What improvements or changes would you advocate for?
• What can be done to enhance fire resiliency throughout the county and in your district?
• How big a problem is pension debt for the county, and how do you propose to deal with it?
• How can you fix the roads?
• What experience do you have working with local tribes?
• What can be done to meet the needs for reliable communication services throughout the county?
• How is the challenge of rising sea levels being addressed regarding Humboldt Bay and our Humboldt County waterways, and what more needs to be done?
• What can you do to stimulate new businesses in the district and county?
• What do you see as the most pressing needs in your district? And if elected, what would your priorities for your first year in office?
• Closing statements

Second District Forum

• What are your qualifications for the Board of Supervisors?
• Can you address the problem of county roads in your district?
• Are you willing to rein in those businesses who violate environmental regulations? And if so, how?
• What are your main goals and objectives, should you be elected?
• What can be done to get more citizen participation in local government, or is it enough already?
• How can we control crime related to legal and illegal cannabis? Will Measure A support or inhibit that crime?
• What is the status of health care services in the county, and what would you advocate for improvement?
• What role can your district play in alleviating the lack of affordable housing?
• How big a problem is pension debt for the county budget, and how can we deal with it?
• Explain your understanding of workforce development and your role or projected role during the next term?
• What are the needs for communication services in your district? What are your plans to rectify any of those needs?
• What needs improvement in the county in regards to mental health care, and what do you plan to do about it?
• What can we do to resolve inequity in disaster recovery? What can you do as a supervisor?
• What are the supervisors doing now, and how can you expand that — if elected — to build fire resiliency in your district?
• What advantages would be a benefit to your district during the implementation of offshore wind?
• Closing statements.

Third District Forum

• What are your qualifications for the job of supervisor?
• What are your main goals and objectives, should you be elected,
• What can be done to increase citizen participation in local government?
• What can you do to stimulate new businesses in the district?
• Both candidates oppose Measure A. What do you feel is its biggest flaw? Where do you feel the proponents went wrong with the writing?
• What experience do you have with working with local tribes?
• Your district experienced some extreme flooding in recent weeks. What can be done to mitigate this problem?
• Where should the county prioritize its environmental and wildlife restoration efforts?
• Considering offshore wind in regards to the wind farm, are you for or against it? And who will be responsible for the security for those million dollar assets?
• What will you do to help control the cost of childcare?
• What needs improvement in Humboldt County in regards to mental health care? What do you plan to do about it?
• What can county government do to attract medical professionals, professionals to our area?
• How can you improve public transportation in the Third District?
• What’s being done to support the oyster farmers and keep the bay clean?
• What can be done to enhance fire resiliency throughout the county and in your district?
• What do you think of housing development near Indianola cutoff? Is there another area in your district that could be used for housing?
• What can be done to meet the needs for reliable communication services throughout this county?
• Are you in favor of homeless encampment sweeps? If so, how should they be conducted? If not, please explain.
• How would you continue to address the problem of homelessness, county-wide and in your district?
• Closing statements.