Ramstrom was the target of bitter criticism from residents throughout the pandemic because she upheld state public health measures. On Tuesday, that came to a head when the county鈥檚 new far-right board majority fired her.
鈥淭he board of supervisors has taken action to terminate County Health Officer Dr. Karen Ramstrom鈥檚 at-will employment with the county without cause,鈥� Board Chair Les Baugh announced after a closed session.
The supervisors offered no explanation of their vote. Supervisors Patrick Jones and Tim Garman joined Baugh in voting to terminate Ramstrom. Supervisors Mary Rickert and Joe Chimenti voted against her dismissal.
In an April 29 editorial on the Redding website A News Cafe, Ramstrom wrote that her most recent county performance review in October, 2021 did not mention any problems.
鈥淢y performance review did not mention anything suggesting that my job was in jeopardy, and I have no specific information from the Board that my job performance was unsatisfactory in any way,鈥� Ramstrom wrote, amid speculation that she might soon be fired.
Health officials in Shasta County have faced a challenging past several years. Besides Ramstrom, the county鈥檚 head of Health and Human Services, Donnell Ewert, retired in February, citing political upheaval and threats.
