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Blue Lake’s former longtime mayor, who lost her seat via an envelope pulled from a box. A furniture artist, a social work student and an incumbent councilmember.

Four candidates have qualified to compete for two council seats in Blue Lake with four-year terms. Their names will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

Candidates include incumbent Elise Scafani, who recently survived a recall effort waged against her and two of her fellow councilmembers.

Also running is a former councilmember of over 30 years, Adelene Jones, who improbably faced a tie-breaker in 2024 and lost the proverbial coin toss.

Jones sought appointment last year, after the resignation of councilmember Chris Firor — but was passed over in favor of Terri Bayles, who is not seeking office again this year.

Two would-be newcomers to the council are also vying for the seats to help lead the city of around 1,100 people.

Verda Winona Pitts — a mother and college student who serves on the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission — ran for the seat in 2024, finishing last in a packed roster of seven candidates, and is again looking to join the council. Charis Bowman, a bespoke furniture artist and a director of the Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce, has also thrown her hat into the race.

Jones and Bowman were each proponents of the unsuccessful 2025 recall effort against three councilmembers, which was prompted by the end of longtime city manager Mandy Mager’s contract.

When asked to weigh in on who she’d like to see in the other council seat, Scafani endorsed Pitts.

“I can confidently say that I believe Verda is the most positive candidate. She is thoughtful, well informed, and kind hearted,” she wrote in an email.

Learn more about four of the candidates, in their own words, below!

Adelene Jones:

My name is Adelene Jones and I’m running for a seat on the Blue Lake City Council. I bring over 30 years of experience to the job including 12 years as Mayor. I’m proud to have advocated for several successful projects in Blue Lake while I was Mayor such as the roundabout coming into town, two bridges over Powers Creek, the ground breaking and completion of our portion of the Annie & Mary Trail, the safety improvements along Greenwood Avenue and my personal favorite: the acquisition of the empty lot across from the post office which is now our beautiful Town Square. Moving forward, my focus will be to begin implementing our Housing Element by providing a much-needed affordable housing complex and the completion of the Bike and Skate Park in the Powers Creek District.

Elise Scafani:

I first moved to Blue Lake in 1988 and was fortunate to purchase my home in 1991. I care deeply about this community’s future, which inspired me to run for council 4 years ago. I am a current council member completing a 4 year term. We have made great strides in the last year and worked through some very difficult issues. I decided to run for reelection because I want to support the good work being done in Blue Lake. Like many small towns, we face many challenges and uncertain times. Our staff has worked tirelessly to address a backlog of accounting tasks essential to support numerous municipal functions and funding sources. I hope to help develop sustainable revenue streams for the City that reflect the community’s needs and desires. Public safety is a top priority. We are addressing seasonal flooding issues and assessing the bike park from engineering, safety, and insurability perspectives. Housing remains a top priority, and the council is actively working to bring affordable solutions to Blue Lake.

Verda Winona Pitts:

My name is Verda Winona Pitts. I was born and raised in Blue Lake, and I’m now raising my two children in the same community I grew up in. I’m a Karuk Tribe member, a full-time college student studying Early Childhood Education and Social Work, a care provider, and a member of the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission. I also love researching local history, especially reading old newspapers and learning about the people and stories that have shaped Blue Lake over the years.

I’m running for City Council because I care deeply about Blue Lake and its future. I appreciate the work of our current council and city staff and want to help continue the positive momentum. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I will listen, ask questions, do my research, and take the time to learn before making important decisions.

I recognize the housing requirements the city is facing, and I absolutely support housing, especially affordable housing. I would like to see us look more seriously at ADUs as part of meeting that need, and I wish that avenue had received more attention years ago. At the same time, I believe new housing should be responsible, respectful of our community, and well planned. I’ve spent a lot of time over the years learning about the proposed Danco development, and I think it’s important to distinguish concerns about a particular development or developer from opposition to affordable housing. Moving forward, I want us to explore all of our options and make decisions that both meet our obligations and serve Blue Lake well.

Issues surrounding our water tank and the potential use of eminent domain are also not something I take lightly. I believe we should do our best to treat others the way we would want to be treated, while recognizing that our community needs a safe and secure water supply. There is a lot to learn and consider, and these decisions deserve careful thought.

As a potential councilmember and as a mother, I want to see the bike park completed. My son loves riding his bike, and I see the bike park as a wonderful addition to our community. The perceived division over support for the bike park has been curious to me, as I understand our current council has consistently supported its completion. It’s unfortunate that there has been a misconception that the issue is whether to support the bike park at all. We all want to see it completed legally and safely, in a way that best serves our community while also protecting it.

Blue Lake has given my family and me so much, and I would be honored to give back by serving our community. I also hope to make my children proud and show them that their voices matter—that when you care about something, speak up, and get involved, your voice can be powerful and effective.

Charis Bowman:

I Love Blue Lake, its people, its spirit and opportunities for connection. I’ve called Blue Lake home since 1988. I care deeply about preserving what makes our town special while honoring its past and envisioning its future.

As an entrepreneur/furniture artist, I understand firsthand what it takes for local businesses to operate here. As a mother who raised two children in Blue Lake, I’ve seen the impact how this community has shaped their lives.

My past experiences include; the Economic Development Commission, board member of Dell’Arte, President of the Blue Lake Education Foundation, Event Coordinator with the city, and currently a director on the Blue Lake Chamber of Commerce. These experiences have shown me the value of working together and investing in the people, organizations and traditions that make Blue Lake unique. I deeply understand both the opportunities and challenges facing our community.

I believe Blue Lake needs a common-sense approach to economic resilience, responsible growth, and recreational development.

I’m running for City Council because our community deserves leadership that listens, brings people together, and recognizes the creative and entrepreneurial energy that reminds us to ask “Where in heaven is Blue Lake.”