County Conversation: Steve Madrone October 2024
This series allows listeners to hear directly from their elected representatives, promoting transparency and strengthening the connection between local government and the community. In the latest segment, KMUD features 5th District Supervisor Steve Madrone, who represents a broad range of unincorporated areas, from Fieldbrook and Willow Creek to Trinidad, Hoopa, Orleans, McKinleyville, and Orick.
Humboldt County Healthcare Concerns and Birthing Services: Supervisor Steve Madrone plans to bring an agenda item to the Board of Supervisors in late October to address growing concerns about healthcare services in the county. This follows a recent incident where a woman was denied an emergency abortion at St. Joseph’s hospital. Madrone hopes to facilitate a discussion with representatives from St. Joseph’s, Mad River, and Garberville hospitals, as well as the hospital union, to address the decline of specialists, the closure of birthing centers, and other healthcare issues impacting the community.
Update on YeeHaw Community: the YeeHaw community in Supervisor Madrone’s district has faced numerous abatements due to problems like abandoned vehicles and homes not up to code. However, a recent inspection showed significant progress, with many abandoned vehicles removed and the property cleaned up. Madrone emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address the remaining issues and continue working collaboratively with the county staff. Path Forward for YeeHaw Community The county has outlined a 39-week process for the YeeHaw community to come into compliance. Madrone hopes the community can make enough progress to petition for a zoning change that would allow for alternative housing options, such as multi-family village settings or emergency housing ordinances. He stresses the importance of working with private landowners who provide housing solutions and the need for new ordinances to support legal camping.
Klamath River Dam Removal Progress: The final barrier has been removed from the Klamath River, a monumental achievement that has reopened over 400 miles of habitat for salmon, steelhead, and lamprey. Madrone celebrates the sighting of Chinook salmon migrating up the river, the first time in over 100 years. He emphasizes the need to now focus on the upriver areas and continue working with landowners, agencies, and tribes to complete the restoration effort.
