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CLICK HERE TO VIEW A VIDEO OF THE CHAMBER’S CANDIDATE FORUM
BIO-
Tenessa Audette “A Voice for the People”
Tenessa is a California native from a large multi-generational family. She and her husband, Jeff, and their three children moved to Redding in 2013 from Southern California. Tenessa discovered a city that not only persevered through fire, snow, and a pandemic, but a city bursting with ideas, new businesses, and a major downtown revitalization. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sonoma State University, during which she interned for State Senator Wes Chesbro. She currently serves as Redding’s District Representative for CA State senator, Brian Dahle. This position has given her the opportunity to connect citizens to resources and the ability to navigate complex governmental agencies.
Tenessa started a business, Called to Action Consulting, Inc, and over the last seven years has managed campaigns for City Council, County Supervisor, District Attorney, Congressional, Assembly, and Governor races. Tenessa is a graduate of Leadership Redding, and serves on the Steering Committee, organizing the Government program. She has a passion for education and volunteers to teach constitutional principles and civics as an elective for a Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry students. She serves as Data Chair on the Shasta County Republican Central Committee and is a delegate for the California Republican Party. In her spare time she is involved with all of the activities of raising three kids and enjoys pickleball, volleyball, soccer, and softball.
Tenessa lives a life of service, leadership and integrity. She is running for Redding City Council to represent the people of Redding, and to be a voice, connecting ideas to opportunities so that we all win. She values balanced budgets, transparency, and communication between citizens and governmental departments. As a Redding City Councilmember, she will work to empower citizens, closing the gaps between people and government.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
I believe knowledge is power and the power is with the people; and as Jefferson said, “A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.” I value service, leadership, and integrity and will be the voice of the people to the government and the voice of the government to the people to bring transparency, empowerment, and leadership.
As your City Council Woman, you can count on me to 1) listen, respond, and connect you to the right people for solutions; 2) prioritize balanced budgets based on the vision and needs of the city; and 3) negotiate the ideas that will serve all the people of Redding.
I will promote and hold accountable the departments that serve the city for greater awareness to the citizens. Oftentimes we feel powerless when we don’t know where to go for help or that help exists. I will work to close that gap for the benefit of both citizens and local government. That looks like having office hours at city hall, going to the businesses to ask for feedback, and holding public forums outside of Chambers when important and impactful decisions are coming before the council for consideration.
As a solutionist I value responsiveness and connection to each other and I am available to meet with anyone who has questions or wants to hear more about solutions to our city’s issues. Please set an appointment using the link on my website or call me (530) 255-4033 and let’s connect!
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BIO-
James Crockett was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. He completed his undergraduate degree in the Chicago area and then moved to Hawaii for some adventure while traveling around the Islands to work on computers. After Hawaii James returned to Wyoming to reconnect with family and friends but continued to look for a place to move that had the natural beauty of Hawaii.
In 2009 while planning a move to Australia James visited Redding and was captivated by the natural beauty of the area. As a result of the visit in 2010 James moved to Redding and the day he arrived met who would soon become the love of his life Ashley. James and Ashley were married in 2011 and now have 4 young children ages 9, 7, 6, and 2.
During the economic downturn James returned to school and finished a masters of teaching degree at Simpson University. Shortly after completing his degree James was highered at Shasta College to work for the Gateway to College program preparing young teens for college and beyond. Working together with an exceptional group of dedicated individuals the program went on to be nationally recognized and won multiple awards.
While at Shasta College James became a member of the Academic Senate representing more than 300 Part Time Faculty in regards to teaching and curriculum. Continuing his involvement at the college James also started to represent Part Time Faculty in the Faculty Association helping with labor concerns. James continues to teach at Shasta College in the Gateway to College program teaching Economics, Government, and Math. When he isn’t teaching he loves to go on bike rides with his family, park visits, and anything else he can do together with his family on a teachers budget.
After years of prompting his students to get more involved and make a difference James decided to start attending city council meetings. Now he has spent years attending and watching the meetings so he is ready to serve his community, by balancing competing interests, and moving Redding forward into its fullest potential.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
Motivated to make a difference I started attending Redding City Council meetings in 2017. I ran for Redding City Council in 2018 and lost by around 1%. Since then I have continued to attend (or watch) every single regularly scheduled council meeting. I have worked hard to stay informed on the issues important to Redding constituents.
As a husband and father I am not just running to invest in my community but also into the lives of my four young children. As a social science teacher I know the best way to reduce crime and increase the standard of living is through economic opportunity. If I am elected I would work hard to ensure my community and my children see Redding as a place to BE and NOT a place to leave.
I am running for council but I have no desire to be part of a large political apparatus. I don’t have any connections to mega churches or million dollar businesses, I am not accepting campaign donations. Perhaps this means I won’t win but I would rather lose than owe someone favors. My desire is to represent my community and make the decisions that are in our best interest.
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BIO-
I graduated from Stanford University in 1975 and USC law school in 1978. My wife two children and I moved to Reading in 1994. I purchased a law practice at that time. I was elected to Redding City Council in 2018. I have served on numerous commissions and the board of many civic organizations. I care about Redding and want to continue my work as a councilmember for the betterment of the community.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
It is my privilege to have your support in shaping the future of our city. The challenges left unresolved compel me to stay the course and finish our job.
PUBLIC SAFETY: I don’t feel safer, do you? The council continues to increase police staffing, yet the growth of criminals, transients and illegal camping continues to plague our city. Redding
needs more jail space. The revolving door must close and offenders held accountable for their crimes.
LEGAL AND FINANCIAL: My 44 years as an attorney gives me the experience to understand many complicated city issues. I study and analyze the city’s audited financial statements. Unfunded pension and healthcare liabilities are growing at an unsustainable rate and can only be stopped with sound financial decisions.
HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY: I was the ONLY council member to oppose an illegal land sale that would potentially lead to a million dollar bill for our taxpayers. As I predicted, the city was sued and the court ruled the sale illegal, by violating three separate laws and the city’s own policies. All my decisions, votes and reasoning have been fully transparent. The citizens deserve nothing
less. I’d be honored for your vote.
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CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
I seek the council that governs the City of Redding for I would be a diligent steward. I have been attending and observing the council’s meetings for some time now and learned much about all the city must balance, especially from presentations by experts in their field and craft.
I have a deep interest in city planning and development with a critical eye towards the future and community. Coupled with my experience as a public servant, both current county employee and past city employee, every day I learn more and more about the moving parts of the city and how they fit within the county and even greater structures of the state.
And using my work experience and varied educational backgrounds, started at Sequoia the Shasta, from science to communication to history to understand a wide variety of topics and communicate effectively with the speaker, I will be able to listen to the problems being brought to my attention. And so should I. There are lifetimes of experience available to the council and should be heeded.
Though I’ll never stop learning and reviewing, I can’t do everything alone. My door will always be open to those who wish to tackle issues together.
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BIO-
Joshua Johnson is a father, husband, and local Redding business owner.
In 2015, Joshua and his wife, Rebekah, moved their family of six from Cincinnati, Ohio to Northern California, and quickly jumped into serving this community. Even though Joshua is originally from Riverside, CA, he and Rebekah chose Redding as the place to call home and raise their four daughters. They loved the mountains, natural resources, the short commutes, and most notably, its people.
EDUCATION & CAREER
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government/International Relations with a Business Minor from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. After college he started a business and spent 15 years as a CEO and lead designer for the software company he founded before later selling that business and transitioning to real estate. He and his team have developed various projects throughout Redding that have added a unique design and quality to the housing market in both Downtown and South Redding.
Shiloh Park is a flagship project for Joshua where he has pursued building a neighborhood that better connects its residents and provides the framework for a tighter community. The
neighborhood boasts 21 modern farmhouse residences with large front porches and guest suites above each garage. In 2016, Joshua gave a TEDxRedding talk about his passion for neighborhood design and city planning. When Joshua Johnson isn’t building homes he is helping other local investors buy and sell commercial property as a real estate agent at Venture Properties, and consulting on other projects in the region.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Joshua is involved throughout the local Redding community. He is the co-founder of Startup Redding (now part of the Shasta Economic Development Corporation) which hosts community
events for young companies and early-stage entrepreneurs, a member of Shasta Association of REALTORS, Redding Chamber of Commerce, and the Shasta Builders Exchange. Joshua was
also recognized by the Chamber as Redding’s Rising Star in 2019. In his free time, Joshua also loves coaching little league baseball and hosting sand volleyball tournaments at Lake Redding Park.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
I am honored to be a candidate for Redding City Council. My wife Rebekah and I live in Redding with our four daughters in a small neighborhood we are building called Shiloh Park. I am a small
business owner, developer, and community organizer for local entrepreneurs and startups. I am running for city council because I believe Redding can be California’s Best Small Town —where we are growing thoughtfully, have sustainable public safety infrastructure, and a thriving workforce and economy.
The decisions our city council makes can greatly impact our business-friendliness as a city. I want to be a leader that works hard for small businesses and collaborates with our community to solve our most challenging problems. We have seen tremendous effort in our community these past several years to infuse life in our downtown, volunteers contributing to new parks and trail systems, new job growth, and cultural events that all contribute to Redding’s collective identity. We now need government to do its part to support you as you make Redding into the best version of itself.
Vote for me, Joshua Johnson, on November 8th.
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BIO-
I was born and raised in Redding. I have four half-brothers, one half-sister, four nephews and one niece. Growing up I played a lot of community sports. I graduated from Enterprise High School and attended Shasta College. I had lots of friends growing up and it seemed we didn’t have a care in the world. We felt safe (My, how things have changed!). I moved to Reno, NV, in 1981, where I worked in the Casino Industry for almost eight years. I carried change, dealt 21 and Craps and eventually became a Pit Boss, supervising 21 and Craps table games. In 1989, I joined the Reno Police Department. While working for Reno PD, I held several significant positions. I was a Field Training Officer, responsible for training new recruits. I co-founded and developed the Kids’ Korner Program (for further information see Kids’ Korner tab). In 2002, I was promoted to Sergeant and eventually was part of the field training supervisory staff, responsible for overseeing the field training of all new police recruits, as well as the training of newly promoted sergeants. And for nineteen of my twenty-one years, I was on the hostage negotiations team, (which eventually became CINT, Crisis Intervention Negotiations Team) responsible for communicating with barricaded and/or suicidal subjects, and other similar type situations. My last assignment was as a sergeant in the Internal Affairs Division, responsible for investigating police misconduct.
In 1992, while serving a search warrant on a second story apartment, I fell approximately 14 feet off of a balcony and shattered my heels. Due to the severity of those injuries, I was uncertain if I would be able to finish my career, but I worked hard on recovery and in eight months I was able to return to the job I loved. However, with the long term prognosis uncertain, I went back to school and received my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1995 and a master’s degree in Social Work in 1998.
In March 2003, I met the love of my life, Vanessa, and within five months, we were married. In 2005, we had our first child, Joshua, and in 2007, our second child, Justin.
In 2010, I retired from the Reno Police Department and moved back to Redding to be near family. Since moving back to Redding, Vanessa and I have been very active in our son’s lives. I have coached my sons for many seasons in basketball and soccer. I have also been active in the local faith community. I was a member of the 2019/20 Grand Jury.
My life experiences and professional background have uniquely equipped me to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous city as a member of the Redding City Council.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
The recent pandemic has taken us places we never thought were possible. The challenges Redding faces: Homelessness, crime, drug/alcohol addiction, lack of economic opportunity, have all been magnified by the effects of Covid.
I was born and raised in Redding. I moved to Reno in 1981, where I worked in the Casino Industry. In 1989, I began working for the Reno Police Department. While working as a police officer, I received my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and my Master’s degree in Social Work.
I’m running for City Council to make a difference. It seems homelessness, crime and drug/alcohol abuse have increased, while our economy, affordable housing and jobs have been in decline. Let’s not look back, but let’s look forward to the future and believe our best days are ahead.
The solution starts with a robust public safety effort, a focused response to reduce homelessness, a responsible expansion of affordable housing, a healthy economic growth plan, and good financial planning.
I have vast experience in working with the homeless, in government and in the service industry. I look forward to serving you and being your voice on the city council.
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BIO-
Redding Business owner and resident for more than 20 years. City board appointments over past decade including Vice Chairman, Electric Utility Commission. Community Service includes Board
member, Redding Colt 45’s and Vice President of HOA. My background and experience provide a unique foundation to address the issues most important to our community. Public safety, crime, housing and economic vitality. We have an opportunity with the right leadership to improve our city.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
My wife Kelly and I are incredibly fortunate to serve our community. However, due to unresolved challenges, I am compelled to run for Redding City Council. As your Councilman, I commit myself to discovering solutions to the issues you feel most important. Take a five-minute drive in any direction from Redding and you will see the destruction of wildfires. My service to the City of Redding as Commissioner/Vice-Chairman of the CITY OF REDDING ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION, CITY OF REDDING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, and CITY OF REDDING CITY CHARTER EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE provides me the experience needed to develop sound financial solutions that will protect our infrastructure. I will leverage and reallocate City resources to focus on priorities most important to you. Being a business owner with 40+ years working in responsible commercial and residential development, I understand the importance of working together to solve issues inhibiting success. I will actively seek ways to develop economic solutions improving our city. The homeless crisis will be addressed by expanding mental health services. Crime reduction and criminal accountability can only be realized by partnering with Shasta County to create desperately needed jail space. With your vote we will work together solving today’s most important issues, safeguarding the legacy created for generations to come.
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BIO-
Alex Shea is a finance executive with a commitment to his community & a father of two girls. After earning his finance degree from NYU, he worked at the US Treasury & then on Wall Street. He’s VP of Finance for a local real estate lender, managing a $25M fund. Alex is Vice Chair of the city’s committee that distributes grants to local nonprofits. Following the Carr Fire, he developed a system for giving $1M to those who lost homes. He also served on Redding School of the Arts’ Budget Committee.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
Redding has made tremendous progress in realizing its potential since my wife’s family settled here 4 generations ago. But we are now at a critical moment.
Can we continue development downtown to make our city center vibrant? Can we realize the potential of our waterfront? Can we grow our businesses and provide high-paying jobs? Can we strengthen our safety officials to thwart crime? Can we help people off the streets and into services? And can we make Redding more affordable?
We can, but it will take a leader who will make wise financial investments. I worked at the U.S. Treasury during our last recession, then on Wall Street managing multi-billion dollar portfolios, and now as an executive at a real estate direct lender, connecting Redding families and businesses to over $15 million.
We can, but it will take a leader who will tackle our social challenges. I am Vice Chair of the Community Development Advisory Committee, which distributes over $100,000 to local nonprofits annually. After the Carr Fire, I managed the system that distributed $1,000,000 to those who lost their homes. We can unlock Redding’s potential — together.
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BIO-
I am a third generation Redding resident and a local business owner for eight years. In 2021, I was awarded the Legends and Leaders Gala “Rising Star” by the Redding Chamber of Commerce, which I am active in for many years. My business model is focused on donating to local charities. My mission is to inspire women entrepreneurs and my two young children. My priorities for our city include solving homelessness and crime, as well as flourishing our performing arts and entertainment community.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
I am a third generation Redding resident with two young children. I have been a business owner for over eight years. I am an active Chamber member, have held many leadership positions in my local networking group, and have also volunteered many hours in our community. Redding Chamber recently awarded me the “Rising Star Award.”
Growing up, I have never seen crime and homelessness as prevalent as it is today. I will maintain communication with the county to ensure criminals are held accountable. Utilizing city resources, I hope to support mental health and other programs, giving ex-offenders options to reenter society with purpose. I strive to address homelessness by advocating for affordable housing in appropriate destinations and thoroughly evaluating and providing feedback to improve the processes of permitting.
As a small business advocate, I know generating successful revenue will benefit our city through local business taxes without increasing taxes on residents. Cultivating arts and culture will maintain our community-oriented identity and flourish our local economy, creating more opportunities for our children to raise their families.
To preserve Redding’s identity, I humbly ask for your vote.
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BIO-
Raised by Redding:
My childhood was one of adversity, transitioning through poverty, temporary homelessness with a constant belief instilled by my parents that hard work can change the trajectory of your life. Experiencing homelessness in the second grade gave me exposure to the highs and lows of generational poverty. Pieces of my childhood taught resilience, strength and a push to always stay connected to the humanity we all carry.
Roots:
My interests in medicine, I became a pharmacy technician after high school. Soon after the academic portion of my education, my core focus became the PEOPLE. I became passionate about justice. I worked with the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, which made an impact on my perception of the justice system as well as understanding the role of a myriad of agencies throughout the City that are vital in providing care and lasting changes.
Expanding Perspective:
My husband and I lived in Los Angeles for a few years and were immersed into a culture vastly different from the one we grew up in here in Redding. Living in an area rich in peoples and cultures from around the world taught me the importance of looking at how we are alike, rather than what makes us different.
I worked with a team in the beauty industry for celebrity clients attending red carpet events. As I built relationships, working in television & film, I was regularly brought onto projects to lend my meticulous eye and communication skills. Striving for excellence led to multiple major brand sponsorships and published work.
Later, working with Wachovia Securities in Westwood, California, I managed the functions of the California and New Jersey offices. Facilitating and organizing daily operations required my communication to be in person, as well as maintaining a strong digital and telephone presence.
These four years will be about every resident in Redding. My service does not begin and end with your vote. My life is a testament of walking out of poverty into an unshakeable truth to not only speak up for my own family – But to speak for the ONE who has yet to find their voice.
“The smallest minority is the individual” -Ayn Rand
Change is inevitable. Working through tensions with civility and calmness will bring agencies across all sectors together. I am not afraid to challenge what comes to the City if it does not serve the people and offer common sense stability. Never shying away from hard issues, I have been politically involved since 2017. Upholding a personal responsibility to do my part in preserving our Constitutional Rights.
I am dedicated to creating a culture of equality. Successful communities come together with their expertise in order to make a collective impact for generations.
I believe in evaluating how the city has done things in the past to break harmful cycles of habit or comfort going forward. I will ask difficult questions-
Expecting truth and integrity over how the city operates.
Your vote for me is a choice, not an echo.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT-
As your next Redding City Council Member, I will represent hardworking people who have made Redding their home. I grew up in Redding. I still love the beauty that surrounds us in parks, trails and the river. I am a wife, mother of four daughters and a leader in the homeschooling community. As the needs for residents of Redding change, I want to see support for families to feel safe through providing every facet of law enforcement necessary. I believe people want honesty and integrity from the residents here, but also from leadership here.
The City of Redding is a wonderful place to live, work and grow in. My commitment for the next four years is to represent your voice to support a thriving city.
Thank you for your vote.
