Second SLO County CSD director resigns, citing ‘discriminatory and exclusionary practices’
Daniel de la Rosa has resigned from the San Simeon Community Services District Board of Directors, making him the second director to depart in less than two weeks.
Past board resident Gwen Kellas resigned on April 3, saying the environment on the San Simeon CSD board was “toxic, harassing and demeaning.” She’d served on the board since 2017.
De la Rosa, who had left the district’s budget committee on April 4, officially tendered his resignation on April 16, effective immediately.
He had served on the CSD board for nearly three years.
In the resignation letters he submitted to the budget committee and the board, De La Rosa accused the district of lack of due process and “discriminatory and exclusionary practices” against Latino committee members.
“I don’t think I can work there any more,” he previously told The Tribune. “(I) find myself just fighting now, no purpose in that. That’s why I’m going to bail.”
The three remaining directors, who were the only candidates to run in 2022 for the posts, are now tasked with filling the seats vacated by De la Rosa and Kellas.
Returning director Michael Donahue sits on the board along with newcomers Jacqueline Diamond and Karina K. Tiwana.
The trio will discuss the issue at a special meeting that starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Their options include appointing replacement directors by June 2 or calling for an election.
In either case, the CSD may struggle to find candidates to represent San Simeon, a seaside community of slightly more than 400 residents. A candidate or director must live in the area of the town that they hope to represent.
Finding a new bookkeeper for the district is also on the board’s agenda. Previous bookkeeper Kathy Fry resigned effective April 27.
Directors will also elect a new chairperson and vice chairperson to serve for the remainder of the 2023 calendar year.
For details on the meeting and the district, go to San Simeon CSD.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 11:58 AM.
