By Roger Gitlin – EYE ON DEL NORTE – March 19, 2022
Joe “HANK” AKIN is running for District 3 Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.
Registered as NPP (No Party Preference), Hank Akin is a long-time Del Norter. Candidate Akin was one of the first CDCR Corrections Officers to serve at Pelican Bay State Prison in 1989. Akin retired as a 28 year Lt./Investigator. Akin proudly served several years in the Army. Hank Akin has and continues to serve his Hiouchi community :
* Big Rock Water District Commissioner
* Neighbors Helping Neighbors assisting property owners resolve disputes without utilizing government services.
* Volunteer, POST-certified Reserve Deputy.
* Volunteer, Del Norte Search and Rescue.
When I asked Candidate Akin why he is seeking to become the next 3rd District Supervisor, he responded,”…I am a career Public Servant. It is my hope to advance community priorities when I take Office in 2023. The Public is not being well- served, currently.”
Akin continued, ” Del Norte County is choking itself off with onerous, burdensome taxes.
* Candidate Akin voted NO on Measure R, the 13% sales tax increase. He awaits Board of Supervisors report on allocation of projected revenue. Akin acknowledges the necessity of taxes but states, ” taxing the public should be our last resort.”
Akin expressed his concern that ” …more and more of us are driving to Brookings and Medford to purchase items sales tax-free.
Candidate Akin proposes discussion on the creation of a Del Norte tax-free enterprise zone.
* Candidate Akin expressed his appreciation to his former employer PBSP, which has provided hundreds of millions of $ into the Del Norte economy.
* Akin expressed his disappointment with the California Cannabis law that has not brought the intended prosperity it promised to Del Norte County. The County ‘s economy is shrinking because most of the County land is controlled by Federal, State and tax-exempt land trusts.
CORE VALUES:
* Keeping my word.
* Fighting for what’s right.
* Honesty/Integrity.
Joe ” Hank” Akin is running against two other candidates June 7th for District.3, Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.
NOTE: HANK AKIN WILL HAVE A MEET AND GREET SATURDAY, MARCH 19TH FROM 1-3 AT SMITH RIVER COMMUNITY CENTER LOCATED AT 241 1ST STREET, SMITH RIVER.
Chris Howard has been in his position 6-8 years. He was first appointed not elected but won in his re-election. Chris Howard proclaims he is Republican but his decision making is not the value of Republicans.
Although Chris Howard is knowledgeable in certain aspects, he uses his position to serve his own agenda to appease his employer Alexander farms. Recently, Alexander Farms and their “several” businesses were able to obtain over $2 million dollars of federal Paycheck Protection Program money due to Covid. I am sure this probably saved the farming business since it is believed they were in the red. Not from Covid but from possible mismanagement
Chris Howard wants to use taxpayers money to pay a $237,000 loan to USDA for a failed 50 year Tri-Agency. Of course the county won’t admit where that sudden appearance of money came from in the general fund, but we all know, Measure R will pay for it.
Chris Howard, let’s not forget, conducted an underhanded deal with the tribes to take over the entire area of Hiouchi as tribal lands, which by the way made it to Washington, but he was caught and thankfully, that deal got squashed.
Joe “Hank” Akin, is a guy on the up and up. He won’t lead the county astray. He will stand up to the politicians in Sacramento instead of sitting there eating lunch and paying valet parking on taxpayers dime. I guarantee he will not be taking Japan trips for museums, bath house and beer parties (all in the name of disaster preparedness) on the backs of taxpayers.
It is time for new eyes and change. We, the people, can change the entire board which can work on what is needed for this County to become frugal, live within the means of our tax dollars excluding measure R, bring jobs to the community in a time most people are leaving big cities due to the unrest and high taxes.
As a person who has attended the Board of Supervisor meetings consistently for the last 6 years and watching from the pew helplessly while Chris Howard, Darrin Short and Gerry Hemmingsen come to meetings unprepared, winging it, and making horrible decisions it is time to boot them out, and vote for people who will make a difference. Joe Akin will make that difference.
Let’s not forget, they ignored 852 signatures by constituents to repeal Measure R to be placed on the June 2022 ballot by delaying the process until November. These are the types of games played by Chris Howard. Chris Howard exempted himself from term limits. We need better public servants and not career politicians. Hank Akins is a public servant.