By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – MAY 7, 2025
The Triplicate Editor, Roger Gitlin, reports Harbormaster receives a $20, 000 dollar pay increase making $114,000 dollars a year which was approved in closed session without giving the public any information regarding the terms of the agreement or allowing public input.
But let’s discuss the severe issues regarding the Harbormaster Rademaker. Reportedly, from Fishermans Restsurant, Commissioner Dan Schmidt disclosed that Rademaker filed an unlawful complaint against Commissioner Annie Nehmer. Rademakers claim is that Commissioner Nehmer sent him inappropriate texts. However, this is after Commissioner Nehmer reported Rademaker had falsified documents and sent her inappropriate texts as well as trying to talk her into going out for drinks.
Harbor Commissioner, Dan Schmidt
Harbor Commissioner and Vice Chair, Annie Nehmer
Rademaker is using the Harbor District attorneys to file his complaint against Nehmer which could be construed as a conflict of interest because the current law firm of Best Best and Krieger out of San Diego is supposed to protect and represent the harbor not subordinate employees.
Rademaker also got caught intentionally lying to the Coastal Comission informing Josh Levine he did not live at the abalone shack where two unlawful apartments were built. Rademaker informed the Coastal Commission he was staying at the Coastguard station.
In the meantime and in a letter to the commissioners from the development department of Del Norte County, stated a red tag notice of violation was issued to Rademaker sometime ago and subsequently met him on site. Rademaker was informed any residential use of the building would violate the zoning and building codes. Rademaker assured the county this would be resolved immediately however still continues to reside in this Red tagged building.
Rademaker continues to present less than truthful information regarding the financial condition of the harbor. Dave Negus former finance Director of the harbor recently resigned due to his findings and was met with resistance from Rademaker in exposing the truth.
Mr. Rademaker is a grave liability to the harbor especially if Commissioner Nehmer files a sexual harassment case against the harbor for his inappropriate conduct and advances toward her. If Rademaker is not fired, the harbor could lose all their grant funds. The commissioners are well aware of Rademaker’s behavior and took a position against Nehmer, despite her having documents to back up what she was saying as truth.
In fact during the last harbor commission meeting Dan Schmidt stated in open forum regarding complaints against Rademaker to “tear them up,” and Rademaker an IT Tech edited the meeting and removed the statement made by Dan Schmidt.
The harbor is not doing well. The harbor has a serious issue. That issue is Mike Rademaker.
Nearly every commercial and recreational fisherman in the commission meetings has voiced their opinion not to hire him as the Harbormaster. He has been anti-fishing and pro wind farm from the beginning. The current Harbormaster worked extremely hard as assistant Harbormaster to close down Crescent Seafood, the only source for fresh local seafood as well as the only full service Boat yard left in the State of California. Now we will have the highest paid Harbormaster in this harbor’s history. In the last 15 years of him working for the harbor, do we have a stunning list of accomplishments? Go ahead, I’ll wait? In support for the community and fishing fleet , WHY HAS HE NOT BEEN FIRED!
We now will have the highest paid Harbormaster in this harbor’s history. In the last 15 years of him working for the harbor do we have a stunning list of accomplishments? Go ahead, I’ll wait!
Even though I haven’t been a resident since 1970, I’m glad your paper shines “light” on C.C. and its surrounding communities. Thank you
Was he at one time an interpretive ranger for Redwood National Park conducting nature walks and campfire programs at Jedediah Smith Redwoods?
Yes