Del Norte Democrats

06/21/2026

In My View
by Kevin Hendrick
Gateway Education
Published Del Norte Triplicate 6/18/26

I read a story recently about a minor contract dispute at the June 9 County Board of Supervisors meeting. At issue were the specific terms of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gateway Education, a local non-profit group that organizes nature education summer camps for youths ages 9 to 18.

Gateway Education, also known as Gateway to the Wild Rivers Coast, wanted to renew a longstanding agreement to use Florence Keller Park for a few days of activities. County staff had concerns about impacts on visiting campers and wanted to add additional conditions to the contract.

I think we should make it easier, not harder to organize youth engagement programs. In the end, three Supervisors Valerie Starkey, Chris Howard and Darrin Short voted across party lines to approve the extension of the current agreement without changes. This was good politics and good policy.

Gateway Education has been serving our youth since 2001 when Ron Cole started this program as an AmeriCorps member. Twenty-five years later, Gateway Education is going strong. This year, there will be three “Coyote Summer Camps.” Following are some details I plucked from their website.

The first day camp is June 22 - 26 for 9 to 12-year-olds. “Young campers will have a playful introduction to survival skills and self-awareness. This is perfect for curious beginners ready to explore the wild with confidence.”

The second two camps are for young people from 13 to 18 years. The intermediate day camp from July 6 - 10, “builds on beginner skills, challenging campers to sharpen awareness, strengthen teamwork, and push their comfort zones through hands-on survival learning in the natural world.”

The advanced survival camp from July 28 - 31, includes an “immersive overnight camp for experienced survivalists seeking deeper skills and greater independence. Participants expand their survival knowledge, practice leadership, and form lasting bonds while living, learning and thriving in the wild.”

Each camp will have 6 paid counselors and 18 campers. The cost for the beginning and intermediate camps is $495. The advanced survival camp is $825. Scholarships may be available. Transportation and food will be provided. Each day begins and ends at the library at 190 Price Mall in Crescent City.

Gateway Education also receives funding from the Klamath Promise Neighborhood Initiative and the Del Norte County Healthcare District. Donations are needed to help underwrite the fees for campers. They are also hoping for the donation of a small used truck to haul their gear, like a Toyota Tacoma 2015-2017.

Go to their website: http://gatewaytothewrc.com to get more information about Gateway Education, sign up for a camp, or donate to help sustain this valuable local nature education program.

06/21/2026

Newsom strikes again

06/16/2026

To say the Orange One is afraid of Newsom is an understatement

06/13/2026

In My View by Kevin Hendrick
Influence of Money on Elections
Published Del Norte Triplicate 6/11/26

The recent race for Governor can serve as a case study of the influence of money on our elections. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in an effort to win the primary, but candidates had dissimilar approaches to funding their campaign.

I respect the purist approach that Katie Porter adhered to in raising money. She relied exclusively on grassroots funding and eschewed all corporate Political Action Committee (PAC) donations. This kept her free of any conflicts of interest but limited the funds she had to spread her campaign message.

Billionaire Tom Steyer did not accept any donations from anybody. He spent $250 million of his own money to fund his campaign. With this money he was able to fund endless political mailers and relentless TV ads. He is not beholden to special interests but also has no obligation to small donors.

Hilton was endorsed by Trump, which led to donations from deep pocket republican-leaning donors and PACs. With this he was able to corral most of the California Republican voters. His main message was everything in California is bad and Democrats are to blame.

Xavier Becerra collected grassroots contributions but was also willing to accept donations from corporations and PACs. This is understandable. When your competitors are accepting these big contributions, it is imprudent to unilaterally disarm and try to run a campaign on only small donations.

In 2010, the US Supreme Court decided in Citizens United v FEC that laws restricting political spending of corporations and unions are inconsistent with the Free Speech clause of the US Constitution.

They ruled that corporations are “people” and have a right to donate to political campaigns. This has led to dark money PAC’s which do not identify donors. Unlimited independent spending by corporations can overwhelm campaigns that are fueled by real people.

The pressure to raise money for expensive campaigns can have a corrupting influence on elections.

Earlier this year, our Assemblymember Chris Rogers introduced Assembly Bill 1984, which would have revised the California Corporations Code to prohibit California corporations from making political donations. I was disappointed but not surprised that this bill died in the Banking and Finance Committee.

For now, this is the system that we are stuck with. Until we can formulate some type of campaign finance reform, candidates are likely to seek donations from all sources to remain competitive. Accepting a donation from a special interest PAC does not necessarily lead to corruption, but it doesn’t help.

“Campaign donations are both a measure of popular support and a sign of which candidates special interests believe they can influence. Outside groups have spent $79 million so far - more than double the amount spent through the 2018 General Election when Gavin Newsom won his first term.” (CalMatters)

The best we can do is try to identify the source of campaign donations and then decide whether these donations are affecting the policy positions of the candidates that are accepting them. As always, it is important to stay informed about the candidates, make your best choice and vote.

06/10/2026

If you are not interested in watching the Orange One defile the President's House next Sunday, plan on watching "RISE UP / SING OUT" on the 14th! See the full lineup and sign up here - https://shorturl.at/r2qzj. Want to attend a watch party? Chetco Brewing in Brookings (830 Railroad Ave.) is hosting a watch party from 4:30-6:00 pm. Beverages and vegan food will be available. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/969482/

06/08/2026

In My View by Kevin Hendrick
Life Goes On
Published 6/4/26 Del Norte Triplicate

As I write this, the election has not happened yet, but by the time that you read this, the election will be over. I do not know who won, but regardless, I am sure that life will go on in Del Norte County. The reason I care about the outcome of an election is that I want our government to help regular people, not the rich.

However, we cannot rely solely on government to solve our problems. We must also depend on each other. I am constantly impressed with the random acts of kindness and generosity from the people in our community. The efforts by local volunteers and non-profit groups add to our collective prosperity.

Many people are facing hardships, but there are also people who are willing and able to help. It is important to celebrate the good works of these people, and I will recognize them in my columns.

The Del Norte & Tribal Lands (DNATL) Community Food Council mission is to strengthen our local food system. They provide food security by managing a food forest and gardens and by bringing the Pacific Pantry Food Bank and Mobile Market to Klamath, Gasquet, Smith River and Crescent City.

Rural Human Services (RHS) stocks a food bank which distributes commodities and senior boxes in Crescent City, Gasquet, Hiouchi, Fort Dick and Smith River. RHS also operates Harrington House, a 28-bed emergency shelter and resource center for women and families in crisis.

Del Norte Mission Possible is committed to ending homelessness in our community by providing emergency shelter, relationship-based case management and access to essential social services. In cooperation with the County, they will soon open a 60-bed emergency shelter and micro home village.

In addition to giving a helping hand to people who have fallen on hard times, our community has found a way to give a boost to young people who are rising up. The Del Norte Scholarship Foundation, founded by Doris Whalen, was created to support students of Del Norte County as they pursue higher education.

For 62 years, this volunteer group has been giving scholarships to Del Norte County graduating seniors. Over $400,000 in scholarships from more than 112 donors and community organizations is being awarded this year to 121 students from Del Norte High School, Sunset High School and Castle Rock.

Everyone who applies and meets the minimum requirements receives a scholarship to help pay for college or vocational school. The Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held on June 3.

This year, our local Democratic Party created a scholarship to honor the memory of Jackie Cochran, active member of our community, friend to many, beloved wife of Jerry Cochran, mother to Marcy and grandmother to Dalton. Due to an outpouring of love for Jackie we were able to fund two scholarships.

I want to offer special thanks to Chere Wier, Gayle Hartwick and Leah Westbrook, volunteers with the Scholarship Foundation, who were very helpful guiding me through the process as we set this up.

I often counsel people who are distraught with the state of politics and world affairs to find a way to get involved locally. Help the unhoused, feed the hungry, talk to your neighbor or simply be nicer to each other. If you do something positive, you will feel better.

Think globally and act locally.

06/07/2026

06/04/2026

Hard not to agree

06/02/2026

LESS THAN 20% OF BALLOTS HAVE BEEN RETURNED - TOMORROW IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VOTE! HISTORY IS MADE BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP.

Find your polling place here - https://tinyurl.com/yerf7c6n. Call the Elections Office at (707) 464-7216 with questions.

A little more than 15,000 ballots were sent to Del Norte County voters on May 4, County Clerk-Recorder Alissia Northrup shared. As of Friday, her office has received “right under 3,000.” as reported by the Redwood Voice

05/30/2026

BALLOTS ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2ND! If you haven't voted, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR BALLOT - it is too late. Either submit your ballot before 8PM at the County Elections Office at 981 H Street, Suite 160 or drop your ballot at your polling place on Tuesday, June 2nd.

Find your polling place here - https://tinyurl.com/yerf7c6n. Call the Elections Office at (707) 464-7216 with questions.

PLEASE BE SURE TO VOTE!