Colusa city campaign conflict boils over

Colusa Councilwoman Kay Hosmer's temper may have gotten the better of her this week — only days before Tuesday's election.

Hosmer, seeking a third term on the council, confronted Blanca Dahlstrom about the "No on Kay" campaign at her Sew-and-Things business on Market Street.

Dahlstrom called police after the brief exchange which she has described to them as hostile. Hosmer described it as civil, but very emotional, the police said.

No one else was present at the time of the exchange, so exactly what was said is not known. Police said the two women apparently have some kind of history, but they are not sure what that is.

What they do have is an incident with two very different versions of what happened.

Hosmer has been advised by police, however, not to return to the shop in the future, but no criminal action is being taken, police officials said.

A call to Dahlstrom was not returned. An unreturned message also was left for Hosmer.

At the root of the disagreement is the sign campaign to vote Hosmer off the council.

The signs have Hosmer's name printed in a circle with a line through it.

They have popped up around town with a workforce of helpers — some with personal issues against Hosmer, and others who strongly oppose her support of former City Manager Jan McClintock and her support of the Mark Mayuga economic development contract.

It was the second time police have been involved in the "Sign-Gate" controversy, the first being when Hosmer approached them about what she believed to be illegal political signs, and in the police office at the same time, Jackie Wisler — a vocal opponent of Hosmer — complained that the councilwoman was illegally taking the signs down.

"I determined the signs were not illegal, and I determined who is behind the sign campaign, and the signs were returned to the owner," Police Chief Ross Stark said.

Dahlstrom is the person who started the campaign.

It is not the first time law enforcement has been involved with Hosmer and Wisler, either.

The District Attorney's Office opted not to act on a criminal complaint filed by Hosmer against Wisler when the councilwoman claimed she had been elbowed by Wisler following a council meeting on April 3.

Those kind of personal edges have been a big part of the recent sign campaign as well, and have involved at least one other candidate.

Councilman Kirk Kelleher has openly involved himself in the sign campaign, posting one at his residence and on his truck. He also has made it clear that if he and Hosmer are re-elected to the council, he'll try to avoid her as much as possible.

Hosmer feels the same way about Kelleher, stating in an interview that there is no reason to work with him if he, as she contends, is not willing to live up to all of his responsibilities by attending committee meetings and community events.

The other candidates, Marilyn Acree, Christopher Fantl, Mayor Pat Landreth and Greg Ponciano have stayed out of the fray, though Fantl has said he believes the sign campaign is wrong.