Bernie Norvell announces run for 4th District County Supervisor
FORT BRAGG, CA >> In a Facebook video post dated March 15, Fort Bragg City Council Mayor Bernie Norvell announced his decision to run in 2024 for the 4th District County Supervisor seat. In a short video and a letter addressed to other city and county leaders dated March 1, Norvell laid out his reasons on Facebook for seeking county-level leadership. Included
in the post is a slide video highlighting progress on critical city issues with the assistance of Police Chief Neil Cervenka.
In the two minute fourteen second video announcement, Norvell stated, “After much thought and consideration over the last year and a half, along with multiple conversations with community members, stakeholders, and current Supervisor Dan Gjerde, I respectfully reach out to you for your support as I look forward to bringing my experience, knowledge and can-do attitude to the County Board of Supervisors.”
In his letter, Norvell describes what Fort Bragg faced in 2016 that other communities find difficult as well. He refers to “our approach to addressing the homeless, transient, mental health and substance abuse situation wreaking havoc on our downtown neighborhoods and our economy.”
He then points to a countycommissioned investigation and report by Robert Marbut, a renowned, homeless research and consultation expert. Norvell states that Fort Bragg “implemented his guidelines.” He acknowledges those who felt Marbut’s solutions were too harsh. “Although his approach was deemed severe by some, or tough love, if you will,” Norvell writes, “I am here to tell you it works and the best time to get started is yesterday, but today is not too late.”
His letter concludes, “Imagine the good we can do if in all our communities homelessness is reduced to a manageable state and we can direct more help to those on the verge of being homeless.” The evidentiary data for the city’s actions appear in a short adjoining slide video produced by Police Chief Neil Cervenka.
This video explains the work of the city’s Critical Response Unit (CRU), staffed by two full-time, trained behavioral science administrators. Under the auspices of the police department, the unit functions as a crisis unit for the homeless and provides mental health follow-ups, addiction services, and life mentors. The program also includes operating an Operation Extreme Weather Shelter.
The slides then detail the successes. The twoyear data chart shows actual progress in relieving the police department of spending 75% of their time on homeless issues. In his announcement video, Norvell noted that serious crime and arrests are up making Fort Bragg a safer place to live. As the 4th District County Supervisor, he plans to “bring that same approach to the county level and create an even greater impact on our communities.”
Norvell isn’t interested just in applying his homeless/transient program to the county. He has other concerns he would like to help address. “The county faces many issues,” he said in his video, “a budget shortfall, cannabis programs, and policies, water resiliency, housing, being able to regain employees.”
He continued, “It is my belief that collectively we cannot solve our problems until we recognize our inadequacies, identify plans that are not working, and start making hard, concrete decisions that result in evident change.”