Plumas Supervisors Report Threats, Call for Mutual Respect

QUINCY — During the November 5 meeting of the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Mimi Hall (Quincy) reported that she had received a one-word threat—“die”—on her personal phone. She acknowledged that the political climate in the nation and the county is “highly charged” and said she had struggled with whether to mention the threat, but ultimately decided to speak out. “Threats of violence clearly cross a line,” she said. She pointed out that Supervisors serve in a non-partisan capacity and said that public service should “never come with any threat...regardless of politics.” In the United States and in Plumas County, she said, we can have “passionate discussion and differences of opinion,” but “they should always come with respect for each other.”

Supervisor Tom McGowan (Chester) said he wanted to reinforce the points Supervisor Hall had made; he and others have received verbal threats, and “it’s not acceptable,” he said. Supervisors Hall and McGowan both noted that threatening an elected official can be a felony and should be reported to law enforcement. Board Chairman Goss concurred, calling his colleagues’ remarks “very well put.”

In response to an email inquiry following the meeting, Supervisor Hall said, “Our community needs to be assured residents and leaders alike have the freedom to engage respectfully and productively on issues that matter to all of us.” Supervisor McGowan did not respond to an email invitation to elaborate on his remarks at the meeting.

The Guardian reported on November 12 that female politicians at all levels are more likely than their male counterparts to be harassed or attacked, and that attacks against women officials are more often personal in nature, rather than about positions of policy. Growing numbers of women have decided to leave politics as a result, the report said.