District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye complains to an RPD officer about peaceful protesters outside his Hilltop business.
To observe a classic case of someone who sure can dish it out but who certainly cannot take it, look no further than District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye’s recent meltdowns over legal, peaceful demonstrations outside his Ninja Coalition gym business. Basically, boys and girls, he’s losing it.
Benjamin Nowain, one of the protest organizers, already cleared up some misconceptions this week about the demonstrations. And today Nowain updated and clarified his position that he and the protesters are in for the long haul to pressure Crye into being a better leader for all citizens, not just Crye’s favorites. The recent protests in front of the Ninja Coalition were attended by a variety of protestors who showed up with signs that spelled out their specific beefs about Crye, of which there are many.
Chair Crye controls the board like a vindictive, sarcastic dictator whose leadership style includes mocking, ridiculing, and blocking those who dare challenge him. Some of his most malignant management traits are sexism, ageism, retaliation, fat shaming, interruption, verbal bullying and dishonesty. Other than all that, he’s a great guy.
That’s why Crye’s reaction to a few dozen folks — mostly senior citizens – holding signs outside his business was rich.
Take this exchange between Crye and some of the protesters, where someone asked why he called the police, to which Crye split hairs and said he didn’t. Next hear the call between an RPD dispatcher, and Crye’s business manager, who confirmed that Crye did order the call.
Like most bullies, Crye is hyper sensitive to criticism. When challenged, he adopts a Mafia-like conflict-resolution style of intimidation that includes assistance from his best buddies. Case in point was when Crye’s pal, District 5 Supervisor Chris Kelstrom, whose 6’9″ frame casts an imposing figure, showed up and glowered at the protesters. He was joined by Crye and Michael Kamfolt, a stern-looking fella whose heavily tatted crossed arms give the threatening air of a movie star’s body guard.
From left, Michael Kamfolt, and supervisors Kevin Crye and Chris Kelstrom stare at protesters outside the Mt. Shasta Mall in Redding. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Nowain.
Kamfolt is seen frequently with Crye, such as at the occasional Friday Coffee with Kevin events. And Kamfolt was with Crye even on Election Day in November, hanging out at the Elections Office.
District 1 Supervisor Kevin Crye and frequent companion Michael Kamfolt cross Market Street on their way to vote at the Shasta County Elections Office. Photo by R.V. Scheide.
Protesters were subjected to Crye’s trio of KKK musclemen: Kelstrom, Kamfolt, and Knight, as in Jon Knight. You may recall that Knight was the the grow-store owner who Crye ensured would be appointed to a seat on the Shasta County Mosquito and Vector District Board, beating out such highly educated applicants as a biologist and epidemiologist.
Militia member and Shasta County Mosquito and Vector Control Board member Jon Knight videos and records a protester.
Knight and Kelstrom are both militia members. Not sure about Kamfolt.
Hey, guess who else showed up at one protest?
Clint Curtis, who appears slated as Shasta County’s next ROV, despite, as R.V. Scheide reported, red flags everywhere.
God help Shasta County.
Three cheers for Shasta County’s Mosquito and Vector Control District
Onto more pleasant subjects, this week was the second time one of the district’s staff members delivered a little bucket of mosquito fish for my tiny pond.
But I wasn’t visited by just any Mosquito and Vector Control District employee, but Kelly Cleland, field supervisor. Wow. What a wealth of information he was.
For example, he said that in my area of west Redding the Invasive Aedes mosquitoes have been found. This is a very big deal, because he said that various dangerous viruses, like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya, can be spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Their eggs can survive for years, even when dry.
He pointed to my birdbath and asked if it had fresh water. I said yes, and I keep a mosquito disc in the water. He asked about other standing water, because you know it just takes a teaspoon of water for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Turns out I was guilty of providing one of mosquitoes’ favorite breeding grounds; plant saucers with standing water. OK. Duly noted. I will make sure they are emptied after watering.
Almost as interesting as the mosquito discussion was when I learned that Cleland has been a Shasta County employee for more than 44 years. Surely that’s some kind of a record! When I asked Cleland how he managed to keep his job with the county for so long, he laughed and said, “I’m Kelly!”
The guy could give workshops to other county workers about his secret of employment longevity in the Chair Crye era.
Does One Safe Place have bad optic issues?
I acknowledge that One Safe Place/Children’s Legacy Center CEO Kimberly Johnson and her staff have done some excellent work for some of the North State’s most at-risk kids.
But am I the only one who winced over Johnson’s recent fundraising promotions? First came the video ad some months back promoting a crab feed to benefit One Safe Place. Here’s the video:
Next came Johnson’s participation in a celebrity boxing fundraiser with Michelle Nystrom, another well-respected female community leader.
The fifth annual Roaring Rumble Celebrity Boxing fundraising event was hosted by Raising Shasta, formerly Pathways to Hope. One of Raising Shasta’s primary stated missions is to coordinate public and private child-abuse prevention efforts in Shasta County, a noble cause, for sure.
The issue I have with both of these fundraising examples is that alcohol and physical battery often play significant roles in domestic violence, child abuse and neglect. It’s cringeworthy and poor optics to have Johnson, whose organization also deals with helping victims of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, seen sitting on a bar promoting alcohol, and later being cheered on as she dukes it out with another woman, which could be tender triggers for domestic violence survivors.
Before the event, Johnson apparently anticipated (or received) some pushback, so she submitted this statement on social media in defense of the boxing match fundraiser:
“It’s not about violence—it’s about healing.
• Supports emotional release and regulation
• Restores a sense of control and agency
• Builds resilience, self-confidence, and focus
• Offers community, connection, and encouragement
• This is trauma-informed care in action.
• This is how young people reclaim their stories with strength and support.”
Nice try with the psychobabble justifications, but I still don’t buy it.
The old Shasta County Courthouse isn’t worth saving
I’ve long been an ambassador for the preservation, restoration and salvation of the North State’s bygone precious old buildings, from the old Carnegie Library, and historic buildings razed to build The Mall in Downtown Redding, to the dearly departed old Greyhound Bus Station. I wish they’d all been saved.
I have no such sentimental feelings for the now-vacant Shasta County Courthouse. I know that many disagree. I see social media posts where people suggest turning the old courthouse into a homeless shelter, museum, jail space, restaurants, or even housing. Unfortunately, but as interesting as those ideas are, those projects would be financially unfeasible, considering the old courthouse’s current decrepit condition that includes asbestos, not to mention that any renovations would would require ADA compliance.
Alas, that old courthouse has served us well, and like many of you, I have many memories there, such as when the Proud Boys converged upon the courthouse for Carlos Zapata’s arraignment.
Proud Boys gathered at the Shasta County Superior Courthouse. Photo by Doni Chamberlain. Copyright A News Cafe.
Nostalgia aside, the most logical thing to happen to the courthouse is its demolition to make room for sorely needed downtown parking. Sure, in my dreams it would be cool to build a small retail coffee/lunch place for downtown workers, but other than that, the whole building should go. Auction off the benches, water fountains, light fixtures and any other salvageable now-vintage items, but everything else should go. So long, Shasta County Courthouse, and thank you for your service.
Dogs’ butts don’t belong in grocery carts
I love dogs. And isn’t this dog in this photo adorable? Yes, it is. So cute! I saw him last week at my local Pine Street Safeway. But seriously, dog owners, no matter how wonderful your dog is, must you put it inside the grocery cart seat? It’s unsanitary. Little kids sit there, infant seats rest there, and that’s where I put my purse. It’s likely, too, that the next shopper may put produce there. I’m not dissing dogs. I’d feel the same way if I saw a bare-bottomed child sitting in the cart. It’s just gross.
Last year, at this same beloved Safeway, a man’s dog in the bottom of the cart began to poop. The dog turds felt through the metal rungs — bloop, bloop, bloop — upon the floor. The man stepped over the mess and kept walking. So there you have it; a literal pet peeve.
Mothers and memories
Claudia Jo Chamberlain, 1926 – 1969.
Today is Mother’s Day, and although not a day passes that I don’t think of my mother, she’s especially on my mind on Mother’s Day. This is one of my favorite photos of my mother, Claudia Jo Chamberlain.
She was a New Yorker, and I would give anything, just one more time, to hear her say “quarter” or “ball” with that distinct New York accent. I’d also give anything to hear her laugh, and spend even a day with her — adult to adult — to ask her so many questions about her and her life.
One lingering memory happened when I was 7, post tonsillectomy. My throat was so sore that I refused to eat or drink anything, so my mother asked what I’d like to eat. She said I could ask for anything (a rare offer). For some reason, the only thing that appealed to me at the moment was cooked turkey skin. My mother was not a great cook, and money wasn’t plentiful. Even so, she went to the store, bought a turkey, roasted it and then brought me a plate piled with cooked turkey skin. It looked awful. I couldn’t eat it.
Right or wrong, I always equated that simple memory as proof of my mother’s love. I think that’s why, for me, cooking for someone is an act of love.
On this Mother’s Day, what are some of your favorite memories about your mother?
In the meantime, Happy Mother’s Day all mothers everywhere. Also, a Happy Mother’s Day to the aunts, foster mothers, surrogate mothers, grandmothers and even other relatives, friends, neighbors and strangers who stepped in and assumed the mother mantle when some biological mothers couldn’t.
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