A woman who reportedly made verbal threats in public against the family of Tehama County Chief Administrator Gabriel Hydrick prompted the county to file a restraining order against the Lake California resident.
The alleged threats were made on two occasions during public comment of Tehama County Board of Supervisors meetings – the first on June 4, and the second on June 18.
Louise Wilkinson, who made the threats, has complained about Hydrick’s performance as chief administrator for months, with the public verbal onslaught escalating as contract negotiations with the Tehama County sheriff’s deputy union continue to sour.
During the current negotiations Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain has made disparaging remarks in public comment about Hydrick’s job performance, followed by Hydrick following-up with his own remarks about Kain and his department, including comments about Kain’s employment of family members.
“Well he (Hydrick) just opened the door because his family can be taken on too,” Wilkinson said during the June 4 public comment.” And you’re despicable for that. I warned you once. Now I have no respect for you because of what you did.”
Then during the June 18 meeting, Wilkinson said, “He (Hydrick) better remember he has a family. He has children. We know where they go to school. We know what their sports are, and I believe his wife might be here today. So he had better be careful what is going to walk through that door because it is a two-way street.”
Upon learning of the restraining order, which only includes Hydrick’s three children, not himself or his wife, 82-year-old Wilkinson began back-peddling about her comments.
“Unfortunately, in a rare instance, I was not very eloquent or clear,” she said in a prepared statement. “It was an off-the-cuff statement, and I did not intend to threaten anyone, especially their small children.” She also asked for the board’s forgiveness.
On July 2 Tehama County Staff Analyst Sue Ampi said during the Board of Supervisors meeting’s public comment, she is very thankful for Hydrick’s leadership.
“Tehama County has an obligation to provide a safe workplace for its employees. We don’t know that those comments made in a public meeting wouldn’t incite someone else who’s on the edge. Words are powerful,” she added. “I support Gabe (Hydrick) 110 percent. If he hadn’t acted on those threats, what signal would that have set for others in the county.”
Liz Merry, an associate of Wilkinson, said during the same meeting, “I know that she (Wilkinson) is very sorry for the words she said. We have all seen people in their 80s lose it. I hope the county will withdraw the restraining order even as I understand and support its zero tolerance of threats to its staff.”
The restraining order, dated June 24, includes Hydrick’s wife and two of his daughters, as well as minor children in the family.
It requests Wilkinson not be allowed to “harass, intimidate, molest, attack, strike, threaten, assault, hit, abuse, destroy personal property” of the Hydrick family.
Also, to not “commit acts of unlawful violence on or make threats of violence”; follow or stalk, enter person’s workplace or “contact the person, either directly or indirectly, by any means, including, but not limited to, in person, by telephone, in writing, by public or private mail, by interoffice email, by email, by text message, by fax, or by other electronic means except in the event that respondent has legitimate business to conduct through those communications.”
Wilkinson is to stay 100 yards away from those listed in the order, as well as Hydrick, his workplace, home, family and vehicle.
The restraining order is set for a hearing at 1:30 p.m., July 15, in Tehama County Superior Court.
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