Election puts headless citizens group on hiatus

With its two co-chairmen resigning, Concerned Citizens is now leaderless and has gone into hiatus.

Bucky Bowen, co-chair of the community watchdog group, announced he has resigned from Concerned Citizens as his wife, Gena Bowen, has taken out papers to run for Corning City Council.

"In order to stave off any claims of impropriety, I have decided to resign," Bowen said.

The group's other co-chair, Dean Cofer, announced his resignation from the group a couple of weeks ago when he decided to run for mayor in the November election.

The former leaders have made claims the group had a membership of approximately 300 people, but have declined to reveal any other information.

"We will wait until after the election to decide whether or not Concerned Citizens will start up again," Cofer said.

The final day for filing candidacy papers at Corning City Hall for mayor is Friday. The filing deadline for the council seats will be extended to Aug. 11 since neither incumbent is seeking re-election. Becky Hill moved out of the area and her seats has been vacant since February. Councilman Ross Turner announced this week his decision not to run, again.

Two people have filed candidacy papers for mayor, one being Cofer, and the other is incumbent Gary Strack.

Four people have filed candidacy papers for City Council seats: Bowen, Jesse Lopez, Ken Prather and John Richards.

The candidate filing period is also open the following positions in the southern end of the county: Board of Directors of Corning Healthcare District, El Camino Irrigation District, Gerber/Las Flores Community Services District, Los Molinos Community Services District, Governing Board Members of Tehama County Board of Education, Capay Jt. Union School District, Corning Union Elementary School District, Corning High School District, Flournoy School District, Gerber Union School District, Kirkwood School District, Los Molinos Unified School District, Orland Jt. Unified School District, and Richfield School District.