Efforts to recall CSD board member Brian Dawson continued this week as petitioners received approval from the County Elections Division to proceed with plans to oust the embattled town director.

Proponents of the recall were given the green light by the county clerk’s office to begin collecting the required 1,649 valid signatures. The deadline for filing the completed petition with the county is Feb. 6, 2012.

The recall attempt began in October following charges filed against Dawson for spousal battery and child endangerment. To date, Dawson has refused to step down from his seat on the town board.

“Threatening residents and fellow board members with physical violence over policy disagreements is simply unacceptable,” said resident Don Flint, who is spearheading the recall effort. “Now that he is out on bail on charges for criminal child endangerment and spousal abuse, we are aware of just how dangerous Brian Dawson is. Unfortunately, he is unwilling to either provide an honest explanation for his actions or resign from the board. His fellow board members and the community will continue to make it clear that he must be removed from the board.”

In a statement filed by Dawson and included in the Notice of Intention to Circulate Recall Petition filed with the county, the CSD director asked the public for the opportunity to continue serving on the board.

“It is with disappointment that I must write this response but I feel that the voters of Discovery Bay deserve an honest explanation for recent events in light of the numerous false accusations being made against me,” wrote Dawson. “I did make a mistake, and take full responsibility for my actions as my family and I work through our very personal situation. However, this mistake has no bearing on the work I do on the DBCSD board.

“Serving our community is a privilege and a duty that I take very seriously. In less than two years of serving you, I am proud of the progress that we’ve made and the leadership, innovation and positive energy I have brought to this position. I believe that each time we fall we are presented with another chance to pick ourselves up and try again as stronger, smarter versions of ourselves. It is my greatest hope that the public can forgive me for my human failing, judge me based upon the merits of my ideas and decisions as a director, and allow me to continue the work this community elected me to do. A second chance is all I ask.”

As recall efforts proceed, Dawson was arraigned in court on Oct. 31 in Martinez, where he requested a public defender. He will return to court in January for a preliminary hearing.