Important issues in Our Community

By Mary Beth Wolford

She states that she feels privileged to have worked with a dedicated group of council members who have been effective in moving forward important agenda issues. She says she will strive to continue collaborative relations among council members in order to focus on serving the best interests of the citizens of Eureka.

Important issues have been addressed during her term of office. She led a group of West Side citizens to develop a white paper regarding crime and safety issues in this area. Developing additional housing in Old Town, where she lives, has been a high priority. As a former school superintendent, she supports local schools from K-12, to College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University. She has a special interest in representing seniors in the community. Recently she was appointed by Congressman Mike Thompson to be a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, and she wants to support putting into action recommendations that came out of this important national summit.

In addition to her work on City Council Wolford participates on many boards and advisory groups. She has taken a major role representing the City of Eureka on the Humboldt Waste Management Authority Board of directors. During her tenure as HWMA Board Chairman and board member she has restructured operations to minimize rate increases despite skyrocketing fuel and workers compensation increases, sited a regional compost facility to serve northern Humboldt County, increased the Household Hazardous Waste program drop-off days from 10 per year to 104 per year, and supported research for uses of landfill gas as an energy source.

Wolford worked to restructure the Design Review board and participated in conducting a review of existing commissions and boards. As a board member of Main Street she supports and works closely with the merchants of Old Town.

On the Board of Convenors for the Cox Cable Franchise renewal agreement she assisted in renewing the contract and appointing a Board of Directors to oversee the implementation of this contract. Her past experience as a non-profit executive director has resulted in her serving as host/moderator for the events and training of the Northern California Association of Nonprofits (NorCAN).

There have been many high points in her work over the past four years, including the agreement to return a portion of Indian Island to the Wiyot Tribe and the recent celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the City of Eureka. However to Wolford, the main accomplishment of her past term as councilmember have been the day to day involvement and multiple decisions in overseeing the City's operations.

In asking Wolford + what are the issues ahead for you? She replied, "my top priorities are economic development for our city, addressing crime and safety issues, supporting concerns of seniors as well as young families, overseeing the budget, creating additional housing, increasing disaster preparation training, and making Eureka a visitor-friendly city.