{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"KZYX News","title":"Division at Fort Bragg City Council During Officer Election","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":390,"description":"Division at the Fort Bragg City Council became apparent during the election of officers on December 9th. Officers are elected by a majority vote of the council.  Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith proposed changing the format to a rotation process initially based on seniority.  It would have meant that council members would likely have to serve at least two terms before becoming mayor. The motion failed 3 to 2 with Albin-Smith and Peters voting yes.  Vice Mayor Jason Godeke who is in his first term was nominated for mayor and approved with a five-zero vote.  Godeke then nominated first-term Councilmember Marcia Rafanan as Vice Mayor.  During her comments, Albin-Smith expressed her opinion that Rafanan was not qualified to be mayor.  Peters had previously suggested that he was the best candidate for mayor because he’s retired and does not have kids. Rafanan defended herself refuting both Albin-Smith’s claims and Peters’ view of his superior candidacy. Rafanan pointed out that she was elected to represent the poor working class in Fort Bragg and that she can do a good job.  Rafanan was voted in four to one with Albin-Smith voting no.  During public comment, several members of the audience objected to Albin-Smith’s treatment of Rafanan. The statements and arguments can be viewed in their entirety on the City of Fort Bragg website.  Mayor Godeke immediately called a recess after public comment.  The council returned and continued the City’s business. Newly elected Councilmember Scott Hockett nominated Ryan Bushnell to fill an empty seat on the planning commission, which passed 3 to 2, with Albin-Smith and Peters voting no. Rich Neal was reappointed to serve another term on the planning commission.  Two public hearings were held that passed and established the option to recover fees for code enforcement and costs related to building permit inspection services.  The council also decided to run a pilot program that would use the outside consultant Four Leaf for inspection...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/xZpAumwbhFUpJUYcwaQ1-q6snzOyqAm13l7cW6AWPCM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mMzkz/NjAwNjc2OWMyZmFk/YWY2YTdmYjI5M2Mz/YWMxNy5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}