Colusa City Council candidate: Hosmer

There is little doubt that Councilwoman Kay Hosmer is the most controversial candidate for the Colusa City Council, but the headline issues facing the city may not be what carries her to another four-year term.

Hosmer led the fight to stop the sale of the synthetic cannabis known as Spice, and has been involved a variety of school and other causes that typically are not aired out in the council chambers.

How much that work will translate on Nov. 6, Hosmer said she is not sure. One thing that is certain is Hosmer does not shy away from her critics' claims that she can be abusive and difficult to deal with at times.

But she notes it takes more than one side to fight, and if people are expecting her to not do what she thinks is right just for the sake of getting along, it is not going to happen.

Hosmer notes that she was willing to go along with the termination of City Manager Jan McClintock, and even moved in that direction on one vote. But she stands by her belief that it would have saved the city thousands of dollars if the council would have let her stay on until November.

She has called the decision fiscally irresponsible, and at a time she believes the budgets are going to be even more difficult.

Similarly, she still believes the city's economic development policies, and the contract with Mark Mayuga, were sound investments for the future — and believes they will still pay off down the road.

Hosmer said she decided to run for a third term because she wants to see some of those projects be completed.

High on that list is the development of the riverfront, including completing the boat ramp project, but particularly a greater emphasis on generating revenues from the state park.

But first on the agenda is hiring a new city manager, and she is a firm believer in having a strong administrator leading the staff.

That is an issue that has divided the six candidates, with two agreeing with Hosmer, and three ranging from having no city manager at all, to creating some kind of hybrid position.

Hosmer said too much can — and is slipping through the cracks if the city's top executive has to split responsibilities with another position.

And that, she said, costs the city money.

Hosmer views the need to look at the city's legal representation as critical, if only to seek proposals from other firms to see what else is available.

But true to her style, she does not mince words. She does not think the current city attorney is doing a very good job.

Hosmer said she sees no reason why the City Council cannot work together after the election, no matter who is elected.

She is concerned that an alliance has been formed among some of the candidates that could lead to problems later, but all the candidates deny any such alliance exists.

And there is little secret that Hosmer and Councilman Kirk Kelleher do not get along.

She said she is willing to work with him, but added he needs to live up to all the responsibilities of being a councilman — attending committee meetings and city functions — before there is any reason to do so.