Having to run for office is a distraction for everyone. Farmer came to Humboldt County as a deputy district attorney for District Attorney John Buffington, who is retiring this year as superior court judge, and was in private practice from 1978 to 1982. Farmer, who is suffering from a degenerative neuromuscular disease, said he is more than ready for four more years. Don't put me on your track team, but I'm a better lawyer than I ever was. I don't need to have a contested election to get excited about this job.
Public service is very gratifying.
Tax Assessor Steve Strawn has only been challenged once since taking office in 1972. That was 1982 and his opponent was Eureka accountant John Fullerton. Strawn is also immersed this year in trying to get the new computer system on-line. We've set a date of January 1999, we hope. Sometimes, he said, that involves moving money from one account to another overnight to obtain the highest interest.