Bushnell Loses Board Chair Role After Censure for Outburst

Humboldt County Supervisor Michelle Bushnell’s outburst last May at County staff has led to her censure by the Board of Supervisors and loss of her post as chair of the board.  Those consequence were meted out at the board’s Nov. 4 meeting, yesterday.

Supervisors pointed out that the recent county employee complaints against Bushnell are not the first.  A conduct complaint was filed against her in early 2022 and an investigation found that Bushnell had “reacted combatively” to a Planning Department employee in a meeting about a cannabis permit that also included the permit applicant and Planning Director John Ford.

The board considered reprimanding her then but stopped short of it.

A similar finding has been made in the complaint from last May.

An executive summary of the finding says that “more likely than not, Bushnell accused a County employee of being a liar approximately five times, yelled at her, and did not give her an opportunity to speak.”

Also “more likely than not,” Bushnell “accused another county employee of disloyalty, became angry and yelled and cursed at her, and slammed her door shut as she left her office. Witnesses who overheard this incident corroborated that Bushnell was the aggressor, and reported hearing Bushnell cussing, yelling, and slamming the door.”

Bushnell admitted to the outburst in interviews with the Redheaded Blackbelt and Lost Coast Outpost news websites and said she hired attorney Allison Jackson to advise her after she found no process to appeal the investigation’s findings.

In a letter to the county, Jackson says Bushnell has been denied due process for a variety of reasons, including not having “information required for the full preparation for the cross-examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence and arguments in rebuttal to these witnesses.”

The board, minus Bushnell, met in closed session for two-and-a-half hours on Oct. 30 for what the agenda listed as “exposure to litigation” in the matter but took no action.

Action was taken at the Nov. 4 regular meeting, however, which Bushnell was present for.

But before being censured, there was a public comment period during which Bushnell was credited for doing good work.

“Supervisor Bushnell has consistently demonstrated deep commitment to representing and advocating for her constituents,” said Laura Lasseter, director of operations for the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitor Bureau. “Over the years, we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but we’ve been able to navigate through many passionate conversations about our community and economy.”

Southern Humboldt cannabis farmer Craig Johnson agreed, saying, “What I look for in leadership is exactly what Supervisor Bushnell displays on every facet of the job.”

After a brief discussion on process definitions, Supervisor Steve Madrone encouraged commentary from Bushnell.

“First of all I am regretful that the incident that happened (last May) made everybody very uncomfortable,” she said. “I was very loud, I felt wronged and I reacted bad. I also made staff very uncomfortable and nobody should have to feel that way in their workplace.”

She related that she has “a fight or flight personality sometimes” due to “past traumas of a very abusive relationship,” which she’s been in counseling for.

Bushnell added that she has no hard feelings toward the two employees who filed complaints about the May incident and “whatever this board chooses I will respect and move forward.”

Supervisor Mike Wilson had appreciation for Bushnell’s “heartfelt response” but questioned whether it fully acknowledged the impacts of her behavior.

“When we as people in power are behaving in this way it actually is often perceived as threatening – it’s not just uncomfortable, people are concerned about their job,” he said. “We’re people in power in those spaces, we’re not equal as peers in these situations, so when we behave in this way it scares people and it’s not just a chilling effect in a working environment, it can be, I dare say, sometimes traumatizing.”

He added, “I don’t want to belittle that what has occurred because it’s not the only time this has occurred” and Bushnell “is not the victim in this.”

Supervisor Rex Bohn was more conciliatory, saying, “I hope this is a teaching moment and we move forward from here.”

The vote to censure, which means to reprimand, Bushnell for her conduct was 4-0, with Bushnell abstaining.

A follow-up action was consideration of having Bushnell step down as chair of the board, revoke her various committee assignments, and request that the county Grand Jury look into how the situation has been administrated.

Madrone noted that the recent blowout “isn’t a one-and-done thing – a similar incident involving Supervisor Bushnell previously occurred.”

He also said he’s “witnessed similar behaviors towards staff the public and community partners at other times – I didn’t file formal complaints but I did witness those personally and I have a growing, increasing concern over that pattern of bullying, intimidation and retaliatory conduct, and abusive treatment of others.”

It became apparent that Bushnell was struggling to deal with what was happening.

“Can I … can the board decide that they’re gonna do now?” she said, her voice cracking slightly.

But as is their habit, supervisors got hung up on the wonky side of things, pondering the Grand Jury process.

As the process discussion continued, Supervisor Natalie Arroyo made a motion on the Grand Jury referral, telling Bushnell, “This is a little awkward as you’re the chair.”

“I just want to get through this,” Bushnell said.

But there was yet more discussion on the motion, leading to confusion about what it was.

Bohn commented on “the process,” calling it “a very, very slow death by a thousand cuts” and revealing that “I’m going through the same thing myself right now – before somebody leaks it out.”

Arroyo noted the involvement of Bushnell’s attorney, which “illustrates issues Supervisor Bushnell and her counsel have pointed out,” hence the Grand Jury referral.

Bushnell, acting as chair “for five more minutes,” called for a vote.

“I’m gonna tell you guys that I, respectfully, need to get off this dais,” she said. “I can either leave – which I don’t want to – I respect everybody up here but I need to breathe, too, okay? I’m taking responsibility – all of it.”

But there were a few more excruciating minutes of talking about the motion and the meeting clerk had to read it aloud to be sure of it when time finally came for the vote.

It was to remove Bushnell as chair and to refer the messy matter to the Grand Jury.

It was 3-1 in favor, with Bohn dissenting. Bushnell abstained.

UPDATE 8:26 p.m.: Supervisor Bushnell posted the following publicly:

I want to start by saying I understand the board’s decision, and I take responsibility for the part I played in the incident that brought us here. I’ve already acknowledged that my behavior that day wasn’t appropriate, and I’ve taken steps to address it personally and professionally.

That said, I don’t agree with all of the findings or with how this process was handled. I’ve retained legal counsel because I believe there is a significant issue with due process – and that matters, not just for me, but for the integrity of this board’s procedures going forward.

I also think it’s unfortunate that some of my colleagues have chosen to go beyond the facts of the investigation and make additional, unsubstantiated claims in public.

My focus remains on serving the people of the 2nd District, who know my commitment to this community. I’m going to keep doing the work I was elected to do – with transparency, professionalism, and respect.

Michelle Bushnell