Terri Bayles Named to Blue Lake Council

Appointment of Terri Bayles to Blue Lake City Council

On Tuesday, the Blue Lake City Council made a unanimous decision to appoint Terri Bayles to a seat vacancy, granting her a term that will last just short of two years. This appointment is significant as it represents a shift in leadership for a city with a population of approximately 1,200 residents.

Bayles, a retired school teacher and a vocal opponent of a proposed battery storage facility in the town, submitted her application for the position alongside former Mayor Adelene Jones. Both candidates sought the role following the resignation of councilmember Chris Frior. The council's decision came after a session filled with public input and discussion about the future direction of the city.

Adelene Jones, who had previously served as mayor, began her remarks by highlighting the support she received from voters. She noted that she received 245 votes in the last election, tying with councilmember Kat Napier for third place behind Michelle Lewis-Lusso and John Sawatzky. The tie was resolved through a random draw, which Jones criticized as an unsatisfactory method for selecting a council member.

Jones argued that the position of councilperson is too important to be decided by chance. She emphasized her extensive experience as a councilmember and mayor, stating that the city faces three immediate challenges: a $100,000 budget deficit, the need to hire a new city manager, and the adoption of the city’s housing element. She expressed confidence in her ability to address these issues effectively.

However, residents voiced concerns about Jones's leadership over the past decade. One resident questioned her handling of a lease agreement for the city’s water storage tank, while another pointed to the city’s strained relationship with the Blue Lake Rancheria. The most pressing issue raised during public comment was how a proponent of a recall effort against three sitting councilmembers could work with the group.

A sign held by Jones depicted Kat Napier’s name with devil horns, which Jones claimed she had not seen before holding it up. Despite this, she refused to commit to dropping her involvement in the recall effort if appointed, downplaying her role as a signatory of the petition. She maintained that she could work with the council, citing her experience teaching middle school students.

The council had reservations about Jones’s potential impact on their work. Sawatzky asked if she would use closed session information for the recall effort, which Jones denied. Lewis-Lusso questioned how she would promote professionalism and cohesion if appointed, to which Jones responded that she had done so throughout her previous roles.

Two council members also brought up past incidents involving Jones. Kat Napier accused her of misinforming the public about fines related to the housing element, while Elise Scafani questioned her about an incident where Jones allegedly suggested she resign from office. Jones denied telling Scafani to resign but recalled advising her to be cautious when attending meetings and influencing commissions.

Following Jones’s session, Terri Bayles went through a similar process. She emphasized the importance of community involvement and trust in unifying the city. Bayles stated that she would prioritize the needs of citizens and ensure all opinions are respected.

Her experience negotiating union contracts, reviewing district budgets after the 2008 recession, and working with a Parent Teacher Association informed her approach. Bayles has been attending council meetings for about seven months, pushing against the proposed battery storage facility. She authored a petition outlining concerns about the project, which the council has since withdrawn from.

When asked about her position on the battery storage facility, Bayles said she would want to know what the city is doing is the safest, cleanest, and best use for the connection to the power grid. She acknowledged the need for research and citizen input, stating she is not a hard no on the project.

Bayles was sworn into office by acting city manager Dani Burkhart and took the empty seat. After her appointment, Sawatzky joked, “I’m sure you’ll be recalled tomorrow.”

The meeting can be watched at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCs-aUJ80Eo. For further information, contact Sage Alexander at 707-441-0504. © 2025 Times-Standard, Eureka, Calif. Visit www.times-standard.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.