CSD Director Brian Dawson reads a statement saying he will step down as vice president but he will not resign from his seat on the board, as CSD President Kevin Graves listens.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
Photo by Richard Wisdom
A Notice of Intention to Recall was formally served on Dawson at the regular CSD meeting of Oct. 5. The notice states that “Dawson has refused calls from fellow directors to step down from his seat on the CSD, and because of the distraction and danger that Dawson presents, and his refusal to resign his position on the board, we find it necessary to seek his recall.” The Notice of Intention is the first step in the recall election process.
In a prepared statement read at the same meeting, Dawson relinquished his role as the board’s vice president – he had also stepped away from his role as a liaison to the school board the previous week – but reiterated that he has no plans to resign from the CSD.
“I have adjusted some of my role here to reflect the current circumstance,” said Dawson in a statement he read to the board. “However, resigning my seat would cause a potentially significant disruption to our important work. Therefore, I will not resign. The decision to remain on the CSD comes from the support of my family and the community.”
CSD President Kevin Graves said this week that in the event a recall election is held, he hoped Dawson would consider the cost – in more ways than one – to the community.
“I hope that if in fact this does go to a full recall that Brian will consider the impact this will have on the town financially as well as emotionally,” said Graves. In the weeks following Dawson’s arrest, two other directors – Mark Simon and Ray Tetreault – called for Dawson’s resignation.
In an e-mail to The Press this week, Dawson indicated he would stand his ground. “Speculating on what will be done down the road is the very type of distraction I am working hard to avoid,” he wrote. “The potential cost of a recall election to district residents and the county is, unfortunately, being brought about by proponents of the recall, not myself. I intend to fulfill the promise I made to the voters and complete my commitment to serve my great community with honor, pragmatism and innovation.”
Dawson was arrested on Aug. 27 on suspicion of spousal abuse at his home in Discovery Bay after officers responded to a call about a disturbance. Dawson’s wife sustained injuries in the incident but did not require hospitalization. He was released the next day on $20,000 bond.
For what they (don't ) do, I think that all that the Census Designated Place (this is the actual name of the type of community in which we live) business can be managed well by Mr. Howard. We know him to be sane (sans medication to be able to take him out in public) and good at what he does. This entire fiasco rests on the shoulders of the "Piepho Party," which is a little bit like the tea party except they make their snacks with their easy bake oven light bulb.
In order for a recall to be effective (and I do not think it is the thing to do, ) the entire Board needs to go. Getting rid of Supervisors Piepho (who could benefit from supervision) would be more difficult and more expensive, so that is not even an option, even though it would take care of the the other issues more quickly. This CENSUS DEDICATED PLACE does not need all of this drama and now we learn that we pay them for health insurance? Is this where Mr Dawson gets HIS medication. I think people should have been wondering when he listed his job as,"stay at home Dad," because this could mean he cannot get or keep a job. If his source of income is SSDI, there is a well documented issue. I AM NOT SAYING THAT THERE IS IN HIS CASE. And if the Police felt that he had caused harm to his wife I will give them the benefit of the doubt, and state that by experience I believe that the majority of people who are abusers are not necessarily caught the first time. And on our street we would sure hesitate the call the Sheriff unless we really feared for someone's safety. SInce it is clear that whatever medication Mr. Dawson uses has not cleared his thinking to allow to resign from the CSD because regardless of all of the calls, emails and letters, he is still a major distraction to whatever it is this little money sucking outfit does. We don't see any evidence of their work-the water and sewer issues probably aren't even discussed if the Board has to deal with the sick and possibly dangerous individual who passes notes instead of paying attention. The people on this Board should be volunteers-pay for their gas and that is it. If they truly want to participate in their community it should not be for the money or the health insurance. The office people should get whatever county employees get, IF they are County Employees, but the rest of them should not. Send notes to your neighbors and friends, so that at least people know that when our taxes go up, we will know that we probably WON't KNOW UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE to find out what the money is for. We should not collect money NOW that we MIGHT need later. AND MR DAWSON still has that last step-resign, get help, and let the Board at least not have to deal with you and your issues. This has gone beyond polite hints and requests. And a recall is out of the question due to the expense. That leaves the Board with shutting you out, which will make you look even worse. The only way to ensure his removal would be conviction of a felony at the DA's office is far too busy and just would not do this for what has been referred to as a first offense. So, do the best thing for all of us-RESIGN and move on.