TIME FOR CHANGE: GALLEGOS, GEIST, OTHER TOP COUNTY OFFICIALS TAKE OFFICE

EUREKA -- A standing-room-only crowd on Monday watched Humboldt County's
new District Attorney Paul Gallegos, 5th District Supervisor Jill Geist and
other top county officials take their oaths of office.

The other newly sworn officials were Sheriff Gary Philp, 4th District
Supervisor Bonnie Neely, Superintendent of Schools Garry Eagles, Assessor
Linda Hill, Auditor-Controller Michael Giacone, Treasurer-Tax Collector
Stephen Strawn, Clerk-Recorder Carolyn Crnich and Coroner Frank Jager.

The ceremony lasted about five minutes. Oaths were administered by Superior
Court Judge Marilyn Miles. No speeches were made.

Arguably the most eagerly watched transitions were Gallegos and Geist.

Prior to the ceremony, Gallegos said he plans to introduce his policy for
handling medical marijuana cases sometime in the next two weeks. Also, he
plans to evaluate marijuana-related cases filed at the county Probation
Department.

Gallegos has already announced his intention to hire Tim Stoen, a Mendocino
County deputy prosecutor, to be his assistant, a slot that Farmer had kept
vacant since 1993. The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the hire
at its meeting today.

Geist, who took over for outgoing Supervisor Paul Kirk, has less clear
immediate plans. Over the next year, she'll have her work cut out helping
the county deal with millions of dollars in expected state budget slashing.

The new supervisor, who starts work at today's board meeting, said she
hopes her presence will bring a "good balance" to the board.

"I'm coming in with a blank slate, as far as experience," Geist said,
adding that much of her first few months will be devoted to learning the
process. "Point me in the direction where I'm going to do the most good for
the community."

Kirk, sitting in the audience with his wife, Carol, offered a vote of
confidence.

"The 5th District is going to be in good hands with Jill," Kirk said.

The audience included representatives from city and county government, law
enforcement, education as well as family and friends.

Joan Gallegos, the district attorney's wife, said she's confident her
husband is ready to face the challenges of his new job.

"I'm really proud of him," she said. "This is such a great community. ...
Paul comes from a family with the attitude where you always give something
back."