Mendocino County supervisor’s wife granted power to resign for him

The wife of a Mendocino County supervisor has been granted legal authority to resign on behalf of her husband, who currently is confined to a psychiatric facility in Sacramento, according to court documents.

Carlyn Woodhouse has yet to act on that authority, which was granted by a Mendocino County Superior Court judge on Nov. 18 as part of a temporary conservatorship of her husband, 3rd District Supervisor Tom Woodhouse, who has been absent from board meetings for three months.

“It doesn't mean she's going to resign for him,” said Willits attorney Christopher Neary. The family is negotiating with the county before making that decision, he added.

Carlyn Woodhouse did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The conservatorship also gives Carlyn Woodhouse control of the family's assets and her husband's medical treatment pending another hearing this week.

“Due to proposed conservatee's current disability, significant decisions need to be made regarding his employment and disability to preserve his rights and claims related thereto,” the petition for the conservatorship states.

Tom Woodhouse has been absent from supervisor meetings since late August. During that time law enforcement officers have taken him into protective custody three times because of erratic behavior, Neary confirmed this week.

The Sheriff's Office and Willits Police Department have declined requests for information about the first two incidents. During the third, late October incident, Woodhouse was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery and resisting police officers. During the incident, police used a Taser gun, according to police.

According to court documents, Woodhouse has been unable to care for himself.

Neary said Woodhouse has improved significantly under medical care and might be released in time for his next court hearing, which is expected to determine whether to continue the conservatorship.

Local officials and area residents have expressed sympathy for Woodhouse but some also are worried about the lack of representation of 3rd district issues at a time of critical land-use and other local regulatory decisions. They include a comprehensive marijuana ordinance that is expected to go to a vote early next year. The 3rd District includes some of the county's richest cannabis growing regions, including Laytonville.

“The 3rd District doesn't have any representation now,” said former Supervisor John Pinches, who lives in and had represented the district for 12 years.

If a resignation is tendered, it will be up to the governor to appoint a replacement.

The family is negotiating with the county before moving forward, Neary said. He would not divulge details.

“He was obviously stressed out by the job,” Neary said of Woodhouse.

The county can offer Woodhouse what is available to all employees, said county Chief Executive Officer Carmel Angelo. If the job is to blame for his health issues, he can apply for workers compensation. Otherwise, there are disability benefits available, Angelo said, that involve time-consuming processes and are not subject to negotiations.

“We wish them well,” she said. But “the county does not have the ability to negotiate on a settlement for Supervisor Woodhouse's resignation,” Angelo said.

Woodhouse's county pay currently includes a base salary of $61,200 and benefits that add up to a total compensation package of just under $116,000, county officials said.

The conservatorship hearing is scheduled for Friday morning. Neary said the Woodhouse family is expected to make a public statement about the issue within weeks.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 707-462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MendoReporter

EDITOR'S NOTE: A judge granted the wife of Mendocino County Supervisor Tom Woodhouse temporary conservatorship of her husband during a Nov. 18 hearing. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Friday. An earlier version of this story contained incorrect time elements.