BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors met for the first time Tuesday morning since child sexual assault allegations against District 2 Supervisor Zack Scrivner surfaced.

Scrivner himself was absent, but calls for his resignation filled the chambers.

Two weeks since the start of the Scrivner investigation, it became clear what the community thinks of the allegations, as well as the future of his seat on the Board.

One resident even returned a certificate of recognition he had received from Scrivner, saying the court of public opinion weighs heavily.

Press conference reveals details of night law enforcement was called to Supervisor Scrivner’s home

During public comment, back-to-back-to-back demands that Scrivner step down were made.

“Supervisor Scrivner, please resign,” one Kern resident said.

“Mr. Scrivner should immediately step down,” said another.

“I am requesting Mr. Scrivner step down immediately,” added another.

“Our communities and your communities should not have to be represented by someone with these allegations, with these restraining orders and with these investigations taking place,” said Noe Garcia with the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Kern County resident Dennis McLean agreed: “Somebody in that position as a county leader and is accused of that kind of action, he should be removed immediately because the average citizen would.”

“They need to look at the evidence, and if he’s guilty, have him serve his time for punishment,” McLean said, noting his hopes for how the investigation is handled.

Citizens demanded accountability and transparency too.

“In the interest of public safety, he should resign,” said Ucedrah Osby, executive director of Community Interventions.

Another concerned citizen noted, “It’s already been two weeks, and still no charges have been filed [against Scrivner].”

He added, “If your child was sexually abused, how long would you like to wait for charges to be filed?”

And Scrivner has not been arrested.

Scrivner investigation: What is the future of the supervisor’s seat on the Board?

In a press conference, Kern Sheriff Donny Youngblood said he received a call late at night from District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer two weeks ago saying her nephew, Zack Scrivner, was armed and suicidal.

Youngblood said in response, he immediately dispatched deputies to Scrivner’s Tehachapi home.

They discovered Scrivner had been stabbed over allegations he sexually assaulted a child.

Due to a potential conflict of interest in DA Zimmer handling her nephew’s case, the California Department of Justice has taken over the case.

But some community members are demanding more transparency in the private conversations between Zimmer and Youngblood.

“Your constituents are not blind to [political corruption],” one resident said to the Board.

Here’s what we still don’t know.

• Where is Zack Scrivner? He’s barred from being at his Tehachapi home where the incident happened.

• Will he be charged?

• What exactly happened? Did he sexually assault a minor?

• Was he admitted for mental health care?

• What exactly was said between DA Zimmer and Sheriff Youngblood?

The Board of Supervisors shared their thoughts after public comments were over, but community members criticized the responses, saying it’s a continuation of an insufficient reply and acknowledgement of Scrivner’s situation.

“Is there something we can provide, some sense to the public that work is being done?” District 5 Supervisor Leticia Perez asked County Counsel.

“It would be inappropriate for me to weigh in on any of the legalities that are going on in this situation,” County Counsel replied.

Instead, the Counsel explained when it comes to vacancies and resignations on a county Board of Supervisors, there are state statutes and government codes.

District 3 Supervisor Jeff Flores also pointed community members towards a statement by Board Chair and District 4 Supervisor David Couch two weeks ago, which residents also said they view as not enough.

“It’s actually been a terrible response, very delayed, lack of transparency, and it’s coming from a point of privilege,” said Osby. “They are allowing his role in Kern County to give him privilege, affording him opportunities to stay out in public.”

Osby also touched on the irony of a “soft” response by law enforcement, contrary to what, she said, minority communities often experience.

“[The county talks] about grounded and boundless like what is that now?” Osby began. “What does that really mean? It’s like a joke. I’ve seen people who look like me suffer on a daily basis in the hands of our law enforcement and people of power.”

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McLean agreed: “The public gets to speak, and [the Board does] not respond, and a lot of times they don’t even follow up on your requests, so that’s business as usual.”

According to 2020 Census data, which the county based its 2021 redistricting off, Kern’s Second District is home to a little more than 177,000 people.

The district is majority white, about 44% of residents. Its second largest base is the Latino population, about 43%.

Scrivner has not resigned from his position and his whereabouts remain unknown Tuesday evening. His mother, Kathy Scrivner, a trustee on the Kern High School District Board, attended KHSD’s monthly board meeting Monday night.

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