Candidates for Fort Bragg City Council Bethany Brewer, Ryan Bushnell, Scott Hockett, Lindy Peters, and Mel Salazar shared their views, with some noting the challenges of providing clear answers before taking office.
One of the primary topics was the ongoing litigation between the city and the Mendocino Railway, operators of the Skunk Train. All candidates denied accepting campaign contributions from the railway. Brewer expressed hope for resolution, saying, “I’d be happy when court is done, when litigations are over.” Peters, who has a long history with the city, emphasized that the litigation was ongoing because the railway continued to appeal court decisions. “We have prevailed in every court...but the adversary has appealed everything,” Peters stated.
Another major topic was the regulation of Airbnb and other short-term rentals. Bushnell supported a tax on these rentals to encourage more housing inventory. Peters pointed out that while hotels pay a transient occupancy tax (TOT), many Airbnb rentals operate without compensating taxpayers for the services they use.
The discussion also touched on the possibility of annexing the harbor, a complicated process involving approval from residents and agencies. While some candidates, like Hockett, suggested focusing on developing other areas first, Peters argued that the city already provides essential services to the harbor and would benefit from annexation. "We’re already providing police and water service," Peters noted, "and if we annex it, we can improve infrastructure further."
The full forum is available on the City of Fort Bragg’s website, and KZYX is broadcasting an edited 60-minute version for listeners.
