HOLLISTER
Mayor Doug Emerson has asked for the resignation of the city’s chairman of parks and recreation, Don Kelley, who also holds the same position with San Benito County.
“I will (resign) if I ultimately have to,” Kelley said.
Kelley has been in the city position for the last eight years. When the county formed its parks and recreation commission recently, Supervisor Don Marcus asked him to be the representative from District 1. Upon being asked, he e-mailed the public works director to ensure there was no conflict of interest.
“I’m not sure why the conflict of interest has come about,” said Kelley.
Emerson said this is potentially a conflict of interest because it is difficult for one person to sit on both boards that also have to compete for funding. An example of this is Veterans Memorial Park, which is run by both the city and county.
Having a representative for both the city and the county has been beneficial for both parties, said Kelley. Not only does it streamline the communications between both entities, it also allows for him to work on projects in which both jurisdictions have a stake.
Kelley said the only reason he thinks he’s being asked to resign is over enforcement of safety rules at the skate park. After bringing it up to the mayor, he said he hasn’t gotten a straight answer.
Emerson has asked him to make a decision and is still awaiting word from Kelley. Currently, City Clerk Geri Johnson said she is also awaiting a letter of resignation from Kelley he has said he would submit.
As for Kelley, he is “really torn between the choice” and wants things done by the books, he said.
“I will be looking into it and making sure all the proper procedures are being followed.”
