Keys to Victory

Keys to Victory…Surprises are nothing new in the month before an election—the term “October Surprise” has been around for ages—and besides, crazy stuff happens 12 months a year. But even still, a citizen’s arrest has never been on Squid’s bingo card.

But that’s what happened at the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee headquarters in Seaside on Oct. 2, in what is the latest chapter of the leadership dispute between former board chair Karen Araujo and current board chair Ian Oglesby, who is also the mayor of Seaside, that culminated with Oglesby making a citizen’s arrest of Araujo for trespassing. Oglesby had the locks changed to the headquarters that morning, and when Araujo showed up in the afternoon and found herself locked out, she called a different locksmith to change them again. As that was happening, Oglesby showed up at the scene—Seaside police arrived thereafter—and asked her to leave. He says she refused, so he made a citizen’s arrest to force her out of the building. Then Oglesby had the locks changed again, for the third time that day. 

It’s surprising to Squid that matters devolved to such a level—the term “Dems in disarray” is one many are eager to retire—because after all, they’re supposed to be playing for the same team. But at least they’re locking up the locksmith vote. 

Kitchen Table Politics…Squid has heard of political allies who band together to form voting blocs on councils or boards, but in the race for the Soledad Community Health Care District Board of Directors, one director is keeping it in the family. Director Max Schell recruited his wife, Maria Schell, to run for an open four-year position, while he has two years left in his term. If Squid had eyebrows they’d be raised.

It sounds like it should be a conflict of interest but in fact there is nothing in state law that prohibits spouses from serving on the same elected board. Squid’s colleague checked with the California Fair Political Practices Commission and was told it’s a local matter. SCHCD has no prohibition in its bylaws. 

It gets a little more complicated, as Maria Schell works as a nurse practitioner for the district. Max says the couple is aware that if elected, she would have to immediately resign from her job. 

Schell has a reason to recruit like-minded candidates. He’s been at odds with the other four board members—including Graig Stephens and Rosemary Guidotti, both up for reelection—as well as CEO Ida Lopez Chan. He recruited another like-minded candidate to run, Daniel Vargas. Should both Maria Schell and Vargas win, it could bring sweeping changes to SCHCD. If they don’t, expect more bickering among board members. Squid wishes nothing but peace for the Schells’ household.