'Walking on Sunshine' with Lincolnesque Worth Dikeman
by Andrea Arnot, 7/10/2005
The Wharfinger Building was where Deputy District Attorney Worth Dikeman announced his candidacy for district attorney, making this his second attempt to beat incumbent District Attorney Paul Gallegos. No bells, no whistles – just a picturesque view of the bay, a few balloons and dozens of burgundy and white political lawn signs left over from Dikeman’s 2004 run.
Eureka City Councilwoman Virginia Bass Jackson, along with Keith and Kathy Linville, Jim Morrison, Dave Parris, Susie Owsley, Rick Brazeau, Chris Cook and Jeanie Tunison-Campbell were among the crowd of supporters. Reporters were elbow-to-elbow, jockeying for position to get the best shot of Dikeman.
The Lincolnesque Dikeman, age 59, told the crowd, “Any effort to unseat the incumbent will be an uphill battle.” He characterized Gallegos as “One who is able to raise enormous sums of money and who has a well-connected and vocal group of supporters.”
When it comes to campaigns, Dikeman is no stranger to war. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Dikeman was a second lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division, up country. After returning home, he served as a trial attorney for 29 years, 20 of those years spent prosecuting Humboldt County’s most violent criminals.
Staunch supporters Jim Kucharek, Wendy Purnell, Rose Welsh, Dave Walker, Bill McClendon, Allison Jackson, Gloria Albin Sheets and Ken Bareilles heard Dikeman tell the largely friendly crowd, “Humboldt County deserves better. Humboldt County needs better. Humboldt County deserves a district attorney whose primary concern is public safety and the rights of victims of crime.”
All ages can relate to Dikeman’s classic vintage trust and confidence message. Supporter Guy Huddleston attended with his two daughters Katie and Kelly Huddleston for a practical experience in civics. With all the turmoil the current administration has had to battle over the past two years, Dikeman’s camp is whistling, “Walking on Sunshine.”
Living up to his reputation, Dikeman was the quintessential gentleman, never losing his cool, even when confronted with aggressive questions from reporters and a Gallegos sympathizer.
Wayne Hanson, Julie Williams, Dennis Mayo, Marshall Spaulding, Wendy Dickinson and Lane Strope listened while Dikeman told reporters he plans to be confrontational, stating, “I will be compelled to discuss some of the things Paul has done or neglected to do, with which I disagree. After all, if I thought he was doing a good job, I wouldn’t be running.”
Defense attorneys complain Dikeman is too tough on crime. About Town asked Dikeman to describe himself politically and he responded, “Paul and I are members of the same political party, (pause), only I’ve been a member longer.”
And it wouldn’t have been politics as usual without new age politico-wannabee Richard Salzman crashing the party to talk to reporters and put a political “spin” on the announcement. Watch out Eurekans, Salzman’s still in town!
Dikeman wrapped it up with his back-to-basics message, and ended with a familiar phrase heard by judges, jurors and courthouse staff.
“There is nothing wrong at the District Attorney’s Office that can’t be cured by a change at the top. So I stand before you, as I have for 29 years. Worth Dikeman. Ready for the People.”
(About Town will cover the formal announcement of District Attorney Paul Gallegos.)
(About Town provides lively coverage of Humboldt’s social events, style, galas, charity events, hot property, restaurants and other happenings about town. Andrea Arnot can be reached at abouttown@eurekareporter.com.)
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
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