One in, one out

Within days of each other, two notable public servants in Butte County announced their future intentions—one to stay in the game, the other to drop out after 20 years of unpaid service.

The former is Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi, who on Sept. 17 threw his hat in the ring for a third term representing the Paradise area. The latter is Steve O’Bryan (pictured), who on Sept. 14 resigned from the Chico Planning Commission after three years. O’Bryan had earlier served on the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and on the Chico school board.

Yamaguchi told the Paradise Post he wanted to see several projects through to completion, including the Lookout Point view facilities and the Upper Ridge escape route, as well as the general plan update. His only declared opponent is Robin Huffman, a Paradise town councilwoman.

Interviewed by the Enterprise-Record, O’Bryan cited a desire to spend more time with his family and the heavy workload the Planning Commission demands. He also suggested he felt out of synch with the other commissioners and the City Council.