Mendocino County 4th District Supervisor Dan Gjerde earlier this week announced his resignation from the county Board of Supervisors.
His resignation goes into effect Friday. Gjerde said that the reason for his resignation is a new job, and on Tuesday he will start as a planner for Caltrans.
Gjerde has served as 4th District Supervisor since 2013. His district comprises the northwest quadrant of the county, including the coastal communities of Fort Bragg, Caspar, Westport, and the census-designated place of Leggett in far northern inland Mendocino County. Gjerde is a former Fort Bragg City Councilmember and has served in elected positions for over 20 years.
His seat was up for reelection in March but Gjerde decided not to run. Fort Bragg Mayor Bernie Norvell won the seat in a landslide.
Gjerde was on track to leave the board when his term expired in January. However, the Caltrans job offer changed that end date.
“I started the process of seeking an opportunity to continue working in planning and transportation, possibly in civil service with the State of California,” he said in a letter to the Board of Supervisors, “Recently, a transportation planning job with the North Coast Caltrans District Office opened for recruitment and seemed a perfect fit.”
Board of Supervisors vacancies require an appointment by the governor to fill.
Gjerde contacted the state Secretary of Appointments to recommend Gov. Gavin Newsom appoint Norvell to the seat as soon as possible.
However, the process could take weeks. It is unclear if Norvell will be sworn in early or if he will have to wait until the original date planned for the second week of January.
If Norvell is appointed early, businessman Scott Hockett will likely be sworn in to replace him on the Fort Bragg City Council and a new mayor will be named. Hockett is currently leading the early polls, alongside incumbent Lindy Peters, for two vacant seats on the council.