Erin Resner tells supporters why she’s running. Photos by Jon Lewis.

Telling her supporters that she wants her children to have the “magical experience of growing up in Redding” that she enjoyed, business co-owner Erin Resner formally launched her City Council campaign at a noon rally on Friday in the Cascade Theatre lobby.

Resner, who co-owns eight Dutch Bros. coffee stands with her husband, Chris, is seeking one of three seats on the council. The mother of three said she was motivated to seek office upon learning that her mother no longer felt safe while venturing out alone to shop or run other errands.

Supporters fill the Cascade Theatre lobby.

She also said she wants to help ensure Redding’s parks and trails—key amenities in a city blessed with abundant sunshine—are safe and inviting. The only Top-10 lists she’d like to see Redding on include “best place to open a business” or “best place to raise a family.”

“We’re lucky to have her willingness to share her passion with the city,” said Bev Stupek while introducing the Foothill High School graduate. Resner has the ability “to cut through the nonsense and create a win for everybody—basically the impossible,” Stupek said.

Resner joins a field of candidates that include incumbents Francie Sullivan and Kristen Schreder and Shasta College instructor James Crockett. Councilman Brent Weaver, whose term also ends in November, announced on Twitter last week that he will not be seeking re-election.

“After thoughtful consideration and talking it over with my wife & kids, I’ve made the decision not to run for re-election this year. I’d like to thank the community and the people I’ve served with for the opportunity. I’m humbled and grateful,” Weaver tweeted.

Brent Weaver will not seek another term.

City Clerk Pam Mize said the filing period for nomination papers for City Council begins July 16. Incumbents have until Aug. 10 to file and non-incumbents have until Aug. 15. The election is Nov. 6.

Diestelhorst to downtown

An informational open house focusing on a city project to create a paved path for pedestrians and bicyclists from the Sacramento River Trail to downtown Redding will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Caldwell Recreation Center, 56 Quartz Hill Road.

Funded by the federal Active Transportation Program, the so-called Diestelhorst-to-Downtown project will include a lighted cycle track to allow walkers and cyclists access from the Sacramento River Trail to the downtown core.

To create the track, the project calls for the partial or complete closure of Riverside Drive between Court and Division streets. Anne Thomas, executive director of Shasta Living Streets, is advocating for a complete closure.

“The preferred and only effective option creates safety and a world-class trail for people walking and riding bikes into downtown Redding.  By closing a small section of Riverside Drive to cars, between Court Street and under the train trestle, the city will build a high-quality, multi-use path from the Diestelhorst Bridge, up Riverside, along Center and to Division at California.  This will build a world-class trail into downtown that will entice and encourage people of all ages and ability to use it regularly,” Peterson writes.

“This world-class trail will support the many businesses and significant investments in Turtle Bay and downtown Redding, and will create the excellence in active living that we all want to see for Redding and Shasta County,” she adds.

Big bass = big bucks

More than 200 professional and amateur anglers took to the chilly waters of Shasta Lake two weeks ago to compete in the televised Wild West Bass Trail “Super Clean Showdown on Shasta” pro-am tournament.

The three-day event, which featured a $100,000 prize fund, was filmed for later broadcast on the Pursuit Channel, a network geared toward hunting and fishing enthusiasts.

The tournament is a boon for Redding’s hotels, restaurants, gas stations and stores, according to Laurie Baker, CEO of the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau. When the Wild West Bass Trail came through the area last year, it had a $300,000 economic impact, Baker said. “The community as a whole benefits from all of our work so when we’re able to get large groups like this to come to Redding, it’s a direct boost for local businesses and the city’s tax revenue,” Baker said.

Lakehead pro Jeff Michels took advantage of his home-court knowledge and collected first prize with a three-day weight total (15 spotted bass in all) of 34.27 pounds.

The tournament helps Redding’s economy through hotel stays, restaurants, shopping, and activities. Last year, the economic impact from Wild West surpassed $300,000, said Laurie Baker, the CEO of the Redding Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The community as a whole benefits from all of our work so when we’re able to get large groups like this to come to Redding, it’s a direct boost for local businesses and the city’s tax revenue,” Baker said.

Fly that flag

Redding’s new official flag will be raised for the first time at a brief ceremony set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. Vice Mayor Francie Sullivan, who initially proposed a redesign of the city flag, will offer a few remarks.

Brandi Greene reveals the new Redding flag.

Sullivan will be joined by Brandi Greene, the facilitator of Redding Catalyst Young Professionals, the group that organized a design competition for the flag. A design by Redding artist Ashley Boban was selected and the new flag was adopted by the City Council in December.