Chris Pugh

Pudding Creek - Fort Bragg, Calif.

Fort Bragg’s City Council must move forward.

Last week’s City Council meeting was a low point for Fort Bragg. What should have been a straightforward discussion about leadership turned into an uncomfortable display of public criticism. Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith’s comments about Vice Mayor Marcia Rafanan felt personal and, frankly, out of line.

After her proposal to switch to a rotating mayorship was voted down, Albin-Smith questioned Rafanan’s qualifications, criticized her public speaking skills, and suggested others overly influenced her. That kind of public disparagement isn’t just disrespectful—it’s embarrassing for the entire city. Constructive criticism is fine, but there’s a time and place for it. A council meeting isn’t the place for personal attacks.

To her credit, Rafanan took the high road, focusing on her role as a working-class councilmember and the behind-the-scenes work she does to serve the community. She reminded us that we need leaders who truly understand the struggles of living and working here. That’s a message that resonates with many of us.

Here’s the thing: if a city employee behaved this way toward a coworker, there would likely be consequences. Why should councilmembers be held to a lower standard? Albin-Smith’s comments didn’t reflect the professionalism or respect we expect from our elected leaders.

Albin-Smith’s public apology during this week’s Special City Council meeting was a step in the right direction. Taking responsibility isn’t about losing face—it’s about demonstrating accountability and showing the community that our leaders can rise above personal conflicts when it matters most. Now, it’s time to move forward and focus on what truly matters: working together to address the challenges facing Fort Bragg and making it a better place for everyone. Let’s hope the council can do that.

Originally published in the Fort Bragg Advocate-News on December 16, 2024.