I retired in June of 2018 after 25 years in Fortuna Public Works, the last ten years as the General Services Superintendent. My wife and I raised our family in Fortuna and now our grandchildren are enjoying living in our community. These last four years as a Fortuna City Council Member have given me an opportunity to continue serving our community. My experience in the budget process has helped to keep Fortuna fiscally sound. Working with the council, I helped ensure Measure E funds were protected for its intended purpose, to serve youth and senior programs, see that Public Safety and Parks were funded, and that roads and storm drain infrastructure were maintained.

Other projects completed in the last four years include repair of a Jameson Creek culvert failure on Rohnerville Road; acquiring property and getting design for construction of a new police facility; Redwood Way pavement rehabilitation ensuring a safe and well-maintained roadway; encouraging new businesses downtown and on Riverwalk Drive, and helping bring back special events reopening Fortuna from Covid mandates. These projects have served to promote growth while maintaining the small-town community of the Friendly City.

My name is Kyle Conley. I am 39 years old. I have been happily married to my wife Angela for 13 years. We are parents of two boys, one 13 and one 10. I was born and raised in Fortuna. I learned at a young age what it was like to give back. My parents Milton and Sally Conley were involved in multiple community events and organizations. Where my parents went, my sister and I would be right there. Whether it was painting Walker Elementary school at the age of 8, working the snack bar at football or baseball, hand pressing buttons for Fortuna High Football boosters, or cooking a tri-tip BBQ for 500 people, I was there.

As a kid I was active in sports playing baseball from T-ball to American Legion, football from the age of 9 until senior in high school. I valued my coaches and still friends with a lot of them today. I was also very involved in Fortuna FFA. I competed in dairy products judging all through high school and took first in the State my senior year. I raised pigs for the Humboldt County Fair for 5 years learning the aspects of life that come from raising animals.

After high school I went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where I majored in Agribusiness and minored in Viticulture, and Dairy Science. After college I knew I wanted to come back to Fortuna and give back to the community that gave me so much. I came back working in the real estate industry following in my mother’s footsteps. I quickly got involved in multiple community organizations. I joined Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, and coaching youth football. In 2007, I won Volunteer of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce.

As the real estate business was fighting to stay alive in the recession of 2007, I was able to get a job as a Correctional Officer, which eventually led to my current job as a Security Guard doing nuclear security with PG&E. I have been with PG&E now for nine and a half years.

I still live the “give back” lifestyle. I have been with Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department for 15 years and have been serving as a company Captain for the last 8 years, I have been coaching baseball for nine years, coaching football for 10 years, have been a Fortuna Elementary School Board member for four years, been on the Hops In Humboldt committee for three years, I have served on the Measure E oversight committee, and instructed for 4-H.

I have always heard the motto “It takes a Village.” I truly believe in that saying. From the coaches that I have had, teachers that inspired me, and community members that influenced me. I have tried to put my community as a priority and have always had the “Heart” of Fortuna.

If elected, I promise to keep Fortuna, and what Fortuna needs, as my priority. Keeping the values, community in mind in every decision that needs to be made. Please consider me on November 8, 2022.

I am running for Fortuna City Council in the November 8, 2022, election. Let me give you a little bit of background about myself. I’ve lived and worked in Fortuna for the past 37 years. I believe in giving back to my community in whatever way that I can, most of which has been by volunteering on various committees in Fortuna to help raise funds and provide support. I strongly believe that a key element of our city is the agencies that provide safety, i.e., Police Department and Fire Department. They should be supported so that they can provide the highest level of service to our community. I am not afraid to ask the difficult questions and spend the time researching to make informed decisions on any issue. I am asking for your vote and look forward to being your advocate as a City of Fortuna Council Member.

Arlene Spiers has lived in the Fortuna area since 1976. She graduated from Hydesville Elementary School, Fortuna Union High School, and College of the Redwoods. She raised her family in Fortuna and has lived in her Fortuna family home for 30 years. She has over 20 years of experience working in the field of business finances, including a business manager position for a school district where she created and maintained a 10- million-dollar budget with a 3-year forecast. Arlene currently works for a health care services organization where her focus is on payroll processing. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) a program at Cal Poly Humboldt, California Native Plant Society, and the Northcoast Environmental Center. In her free time, Arlene enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, cooking, crocheting, and walking her dog, Angel. Arlene’s mission is to serve others and contribute to society. She believes that Fortuna deserves to have the best, attract the best, and keep the best for years to come.

Born and raised in Fortuna and currently pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. I've balanced work and school for a handful of years and am wanting to be more involved in the community as I believe I can bring some good to our friendly city.