Dryden, Korkeila Outline Visions in District 5 Race

SIERRA BROOKS — One of the two contested local races in Sierra County is that for District 5 Supervisor. The office serves parts of Loyalton, including the Sierra Brooks subdivision. The position has been held by Sharon Dryden since 2019. Dryden and her sole opponent, Ossi Korkeila, were asked by The Mountain Messenger to introduce themselves and their campaigns to voters. The following are their responses.

Sharon Dryden

It has been an honor and privilege to represent Sierra County as your county supervisor for District 5 for the past eight years.

We moved here in 1989, and I cherish living in Sierra County. I value our home, our community, and our way of life. We have faced many challenges, including evacuating multiple times for fire. The first was the Cottonwood Fire, with several more over the years. Because of these experiences, I have worked hard to safeguard our communities and our forests. Working together, we established the first certified Firewise community in Sierra County. I helped to secure a grant for the Smithneck restoration project, which was attributed to saving Sierra Brooks during the recent Bear Fire. I am committed to continuing proactive forest management and wildfire prevention, supporting local fire departments and emergency responders, promoting sustainable land use and working tirelessly to keep Sierra County safe, resilient and thriving.

Another key aspect of serving as your County Supervisor is representing and advocating for our more vulnerable citizens. I represent Sierra County on multiple agencies that bring resources to our community. I serve as Chair of the Board on AAA4, a seven county agency that funds our Senior Center in Loyalton. I serve on First5, which supports our preschool population. I am working to bring 211 Emergency service to provide real time information in times of disaster or evacuation. I work with our schools, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to ensure vital services are strong and responsive to your needs.

As a business owner, I believe strongly in hard work, honesty, and the right to self-determination, which in a small county is vital to protect. As a member of our community, I believe in listening to your concerns, and being your voice to our state and federal officials. I humbly ask for your vote for one more term to continue the work we have begun, for together we are stronger!

Ossi Korkeila

My name is Ossi Korkeila and I am honored to be a candidate for Sierra County Supervisor District Five.

My wife Cindy and I first moved to Sierra County in 1998 when we bought our house in Sierraville where we lived for 10 years. We have lived in several locations in Sierra Valley since. We have renovated homes in Sierraville, Chilcoot, Loyalton and in Sierra Brooks. Last year we moved back into our family home here in Sierra Brooks which we first bought for Cindy’s parents in 1997 for their retirement. Cindy’s mother and my father both finished their time here on earth at the skilled nursing facility in Loyalton where they were very well taken care of by the incredible staff of Eastern Plumas Hospital District.

When I was about 12 years old we started spending summer vacations on the Yuba River at Fiddle Creek Campground below Downieville. The vacations on the Yuba River continued into my College Years when myself and a group of friends started our tradition of coming up to Gold Lakes Basin for the fishing Opener. In those early days I had the honor of becoming a Member of E Clampus Vitus, Downieville chapter. While living in Sierraville I had the honor of becoming a Freemason at the Sierraville Masonic Hall. I later became a member of the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento.

I have been a local real estate appraiser and consultant for over 35 years. I have given expert witness testimony in Sierra, Plumas, Placer and Nevada County Superior Courts. I was a senior appraiser at Bank of America and I have been on the review panel for dozens of national, regional and local lenders. I have performed consulting and valuation services for governmental and private clients including Sierra County, Southwest Gas, The U.S. Marshalls Office and many others. I believe I have the depth of professional and civic experience required for the role of Supervisor for District Five.