Local Candidates Address Community Concerns at Yreka Forum

YREKA, CA – On Wednesday evening, candidates for various local offices gathered at a community forum to introduce themselves and address concerns of Siskiyou County residents. The event, organized by the Republican Central Committee, featured contenders for Yreka City Council, Yreka Elementary School Board, and Siskiyou County Supervisor.

A diverse array of issues were discussed, reflecting the complex challenges facing this rural Northern California community. Water scarcity, rising crime rates, homelessness, and economic development emerged as key topics throughout the evening.

City Council candidates James Claire, Louise Gliatto, Timothy Pope, and Jason Williams fielded questions about their plans to tackle Yreka’s most pressing problems. All four emphasized the need for increased law enforcement presence to address growing safety concerns.

“We need to hire more police officers for Yreka,” said candidate Jason Williams. “I know we are down three officers right now. We need to find a way to get more feet on the ground, more patrols.”

The candidates also discussed the city’s potential water issues stemming from changes at Fall Creek, though most admitted they would need to consult with experts to fully address the complex situation.

Yreka Elementary School Board candidates Olivia Dendman, Cory Hahn, and Zane Wiley stressed the importance of parental involvement in education and maintaining focus on core academic skills. “If our kids can’t read and write, then we don’t have a successful community,” Dendman stated.

County Supervisor candidate Jess Harris spoke about the need to push back against state and federal overreach, particularly regarding natural resource management and water rights.

The forum concluded with a call for civic engagement from the moderator, who urged attendees to thoroughly research candidates and ballot measures before voting.

“It’s very important to vote,” the moderator emphasized. “I don’t care who you are, what you are, what color you are, what race you are, religion, I couldn’t care less. It’s important because of that flag and the millions of people that have served under that flag.”

The event provided a valuable opportunity for community members to hear directly from candidates on local issues ahead of the upcoming election. Residents are encouraged to review official voter information guides for complete details on all candidates and measures on the ballot.