By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – March 25, 2025
In December 2024, a quiet inquiry about permits sparked a wave of revelations at our Crescent City Harbor District, located in Northern California. The focus was the Harbor House – a building that, for years had quietly functioned as an abalone farm/storage unit, but turned into staff housing. The justification? The crushing cost of rent in the local community. The reality? A potential firetrap, lacking legal permits, and at the center of a growing scandal
When a request was submitted to the county for permits related to the Harbor House’s residential use, the results were surprising: there were none. No building permits, no occupancy permits, no documentation indicating the legality of converting the space into four residential apartments.
Interim Harbormaster, Mike Rademaker
In response, the County reached out to Interim Harbormaster, Mike Rademaker, who confidently claimed that the California Coastal Commission held necessary permits. That narrative quickly unraveled. A California Public Records Act (CPRA) request was filed with the Coastal Commission to produce those permits, and the response was damning.
Coastal Commissioner, Josh Levine, made it clear: no one was supposed to be living in the area in question. The Harbor House was designated as a storage facility-not a residential structure. Commissioner Levine added that he spoke directly with Rademaker, who assured him that no one was living in the Harbor House. Instead, Rademaker claimed that there were living quarters at the Coastguard station.
The assertion proved false. Additionally, Rademaker’s contract to become full time Harbormaster states the following; Under section 3.9 Required Occupancy Housing
“The District requires that the Interim CEO/Harbormaster reside in housing provided by the district at 245 Anchor Way, in accordance with the same terms as those specified in the Employee’s prior Employment Agreement dated July 15, 2019, as amended on September 1, 2022 for the position of Assistant Harbormaster. The housing is provided for the convenience of the District and is necessary to ensure Harbormaster’s availability to respond to emergencies and other operational needs of the harbor. No rent is due from the employee for occupancy, as the housing is considered a working condition fringe benefit under Internal Revenue Code section 119.”
RED TAGGED
The County served a red tag notice on Harbormaster Rademaker. The red tag states, “ you are in violation of one or more of Del Norte County Codes section 114, 115 2022 CRC applying to unlawful acts. The required action is to apply for all required procedures and failure to take action in 15 days may result in legal action.
It is worthy to note Mr. Rademaker will be voted on March 26, by Harbor Commissioners to Full Time Harbormaster making $90,000 plus for an annual wage. The Harbor Commissioners are aware of his actions, and should conduct an investigation into his lying to a Coastal Commissioner and the County for his own personal gain.
