Four candidates for Colusa City Council were questioned before a large audience at the Oct. 12 election forum, hosted by the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce.
Although seated alphabetically, two separate tables on the stage of the Colusa Community Theater for the Performing Arts presented a stark visual that the Nov. 8 election is a contested race in which two challengers will attempt to unseat two incumbents.
First time candidates Ryan Codorniz and Julie Garofalo sat to the left of former Mayor Josh Hill and current Mayor Tom Reische, who seek to retain their positions.
Although all four had similar views on several issues, among them support for two tax measures Colusa voters will see on their ballots, there were noted differences as the two challengers capitalized on the City Council’s unpopular cannabis decisions and a recent grand jury report that determined the council provided limited oversight during the planning of city-sponsored events, which allowed city staff to spend excessively and violate purchasing and credit card policies.
The forum followed the League of Women Voters’ format, allowing candidates equal time for opening statements and to respond to questions, which were posed by moderator Colleen Wrysinski.
Although all four expressed a desire to see Colusa move successfully forward in the future, each touched on a variety of priorities, from dealing with homelessness to taking care of trees and sidewalks.
Codorniz was born and raised in Colusa. After being away for a number of years after high school, he returned to the city to raise his family. He is the manager for the Williams Fastenal, an industrial equipment supplier, and has been an active volunteer in youth sports.
As chairman of the Colusa Planning Commission, Codorniz, on the issue of cannabis, noted the stark contrast and disconnect between the city council and the planning commission, which is the council’s advisory board for planning and development issues, and serves to assure the general plan is implemented by reviewing development applications on a case-by-case basis.
Codorniz said the legal cannabis industry continues to be a hot topic in Colusa, and that the council needs to update developer agreements as well as make sure companies doing business in Colusa are paying their fair share by living up to the agreements they made.
“As for retail, the planning commission worked tirelessly on a retail agreement that we thought worked well for the city – and we were proud of it,” Codorniz said. “It went to the city council and the city council gutted it. We didn’t agree that it (cannabis retail) should be downtown and we didn’t agree it should be in old town. We thought if we had to have it, that CIP (industrial park) was a great place to keep it away from young eyes. It (cannabis) is not what we all want, but that’s what we have. It’s legal in California and we are being forced to figure out where we are putting these retail facilities. In my eyes, one is enough. I don’t believe we need to have multiple locations.”
Garofalo, a hydrogeologist, is a relative newcomer to Colusa. She’s worked with farmers and rural communities up and down California to develop clean, reliable, and safe sources of water for drinking and agriculture, which she said would prove valuable in the decision-making process as the city deals with its aging water system, streets, and other critical infrastructure.
“It takes vision, innovative forethought, and a clear gameplan when it comes to revitalizing a small town that has limited industry,” Garofalo said. “I believe that it’s absolutely imperative that growth be conducted methodically and responsibly, and that it contains continuity with our existing neighborhoods.”
Garofalo also served one year on the Colusa County Grand Jury that investigated the city, which ultimately became her motivation for running for city council.
“As a grand juror, I had the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the city, including staffing, budgeting, and the critical issues that we currently face. To me, the grand jury report is just the first step on a path to a new and improved city government. The change must be implemented from within.”
Hill was first appointed to the City Council in 2018 to replace the late Kirk Kelleher. He then ran a successful election the same year. He is a fourth generation Colusa resident and third generation homebuilder.
Hill served two back-to-back terms as mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic and said he made it his priority to keep citizens connected during the lockdown and keep Colusa’s economy going.
“Throughout COVID, I worked alongside local businesses, along with the Chamber of Commerce, to realize a 19 percent increase in sales tax revenue, which is not an increase in sales tax rates,” he said. “I believe in pro-business policies that will help everyone realize their American dream of opening a business in Colusa.”
Hill said despite the pandemic, he increased the city’s transparency through the use of social media and Zoom, bringing the city into the 21st century.
“There is still more to come,” he said.
On his record, Hill said he supported expanding the recreation program and grant applications for major street repairs, and remains committed to making Colusa a family-forward community and to finding additional revenue to fund roads and build a large multi-use sports complex on Will S. Green Road, tentatively called “Field of Dreams.”
Reische has been elected four times to the Colusa City Council (20 years). He is owner of Messick’s Ace Hardware, and has long been an active volunteer and member of local organizations. He’s a member of the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Order of Shriners, and established the Colusa Flare Committee to raise money each year for the Fourth of July fireworks.
“I’m running again to assure Colusa continues to have events that benefit the quality of life in Colusa, and to support the excellent staff that the city now has in place, including our city manager, finance director, chief of police, fire chief, and all the great city staff that work behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly.”
Reische acknowledged his role in leading Colusa in the direction of a new industry.
“Yes, it’s cannabis,” he said. “It was going to happen somewhere, so why not be one of the first cities to take advantage of the funds that this industry creates? Now, Colusa has roughly $1.5 million to use as grant match money for streets and sidewalks and other necessary services.”
Reische said he is also running on his accomplishments, such as the purchase of the long-shuttered Pirelli building to be used to bring new innovative businesses to Colusa.
“This would not have happened without the cannabis industry shedding the light on how business friendly Colusa could be,” he added.
The candidates answered in great length their support of Measure B, which would increase the city’s transactional (sales) tax 1 percent (1 cent on each $1 purchase of taxable goods and services).
All four candidates were in agreement that increasing sales taxes from the statewide minimum of 7.25 percent is probably the only way Colusa residents will see improvement in police protection and streets, while also showing the state the city is capable of maintaining road projects funded by grants.
“If Measure B doesn’t pass, then the city of Colusa will run the way it’s been run the last five years,” Reische said. “There are no areas to cut. We’re bare bones at city level staffing. Cutting employees or cutting any type of staff is pretty much out of the question.”
The candidates were also asked a somewhat loaded question: “If elected, how would you change the public’s perception of a compromised council?”
Codorniz said if he is elected, he would start by having an open dialog with the people of Colusa and with other council members on the dais.
Cordoniz, who said he was running on true and fair representation, said the city council has far too long not listened to the public, or done their due diligence, and often just say yes to staff without an adequate exchange of ideas.
“There needs to be open communication,” Codoniz said. “There needs to be dialogue. There needs to be yeses and nos. All we get now is just yes. That needs to change.”
Garofalo agreed that building trust between the city council and public was key.
“Your voice matters,” Garofalo said. “Every one of your voices matter. When you speak up in a council meeting, you should feel that not only is your voice being heard but that there is follow through with that: that your concerns are being addressed and that you are being fairly represented by your council.”
Garofalo also believes the city council pushses through too many matters without knowing the details or remembering their decisions months later.
“We need to do better,” she said. “We really need to understand what it is we are voting on because it affects the public and it affects our quality of life.”
The question, however, did put the two incumbents on defense.
“One of the things I’m proud of is even if we disagree, I’ll sit down and listen to you and we can talk about your ideas,” Hill said. “I’ve never had a problem doing that with anyone.“
Hill said the city has made efforts to be more transparent, including being more active on social media and providing more information than ever before.
“It’s easier to find out what is on the city council agenda than it ever has been,” Hill said.
He also said he has and will continue to make himself available for informal gatherings, such as “Coffee with Council,” and strives to be personally accessible and transparent.
Reische didn’t think “compromised” was accurate because it seemed accusatory, but he did stand by the council’s decisions and ability to get things done.
“I think the council as a whole works very well together,” Reische said. “I’m comfortable with the direction we are taking Colusa.”
Reische said he is also very accessible to the public at his place of business and will answer any questions they have about his decisions or the direction he is taking the city.
“I really appreciate the amount of individuals who have been coming to city council meetings,” he said. “They are showing how much they care about our community, and we care that much about our community also. I feel that we are doing the best we can. I feel we are doing a pretty good job.”
The forum, which was just under 90 minutes, was one of a string of Chamber-sponsored events leading up to the Nov. 8 election.
The Chamber will host a Town Hall-style meeting for Williams City Council candidates and discussion on Measures A and C, both half-cent sales tax proposals. The meeting will be held at 7 PM tonight at the Education Village, 499 Marguerite St., in Williams. ■