Anti-Cargill Candidate Drops Out of Council Race

Just as the November city council election seemed to be heating up with another challenger’s entrance into the race, Brett Garrett has decided to drop out. He is currently out of town and will not be able to complete the paperwork required to run.

“I was seriously questioning whether I could really follow through with it,” Garrett said.

Garrett had admitted that this entire political arena was new to him, as he had never before run for politics. The candidacy was more of a symbolic gesture to encourage other candidates to run, he said.

“I wasn’t too surprised,” said Mayor Jeff Ira, who is not up for re-election this term. “He seemed like he was geting into more than he was bargaining for.”

Garrett had largely on an anti-Cargill ticket to present a different perspective from councilmembers who continued to support the continuation of the environmental review process of the proposed Cargill/DMB Saltworks development.  

He told Patch back in July that if elected, he would try to stop the project in its tracks. Garrett wanted to represent the who felt it could drastically change the environmental landscape of the bay and the make-up of the city.

Resident Marianna Raymond said, “I appreciate that he has raised the importance of the Cargill issue in the upcoming council race."

In Patch’s article in July, many residents said they would have supported Garrett, who they believed would bring a “fresh voice” to the city.

“It is really unfortunate that it would take a great deal of money and influence to get some fresh blood into the council,” Raymond said. “This is surely a daunting prospect for anyone who considers a run.”

Others were concerned about electing a councilmember who had primarily one agenda.

“You hate to see people in the race who are half-hearted,” Ira said. “It’s a major commitment, so if you’re not really sure, you should wait for another two years.”

“There are plenty of opportunities to help the city,” he added.

The have all pulled papers intending to run again, with three of them completing all the necessary paperwork. CHP sergeant has also completed the necessary paperwork to put his name on the ballot.

Residents have until Aug. 12 to file the necessary paperwork to run for city council.