City Planning Chairman Appointed to Vacant Council Seat

by ROGER GITLIN, Eye on Del Norte

Steve Shamblin was appointed to the vacant Council seat in a Special Meeting Tuesday evening. The vote was as follows:
Jason Greenough: NO
Ray Altman: YES
Candace Tinkler: YES
Mayor Isaiah Wright: YES

The vacancy was created by the resignation of Councilmember Daran Dooley on October 21. On November 3, the Council passed a motion to fill the vacancy. After an extensive outreach effort seeking candidate applicants, a Special Meeting was scheduled for December 9.

Shamblin will serve until the November 2026 election, when the remaining two years of the Dooley term will be on the ballot. All candidates/applicants must be city residents, registered voters, and at least 18 years old.

Shamblin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the City:
• Chairman, City Planning Commission
• Member, Measure S Oversight Committee
• Member, Del Norte County Planning Commission

Shamblin intends to resign both Planning positions before taking his Oath on December 15.

Shamblin cites his priorities as affordable housing, attracting new businesses, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure improvement. He cites his greatest challenges as haphazard prior development, a decentralized downtown, and the above issues.

Shamblin takes his Council seat December 15.