A Resigned Central Basin Director Attends a Meeting and Illegally Votes to Oust the President
In a series of events that have raised questions about governance and legal compliance, Thomas Bekele, a former Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBWD), attended a regular board meeting on July 24, 2024, despite having verbally resigned during the CB meeting on May 20.
The incident has sparked controversy, with some arguing that Bekele's attendance may have questioned the legitimacy of decisions and potentially created liability issues. Generally, once a board member formally resigns, they cease to hold any capacity or authority as a board member. Attending a meeting as a resigned member could contravene organizational bylaws or state laws governing board membership and meeting participation.
President Art Chacon and Director Leticia Vasquez called on Bekele to leave the July 24 meeting, stating that Bekele had resigned and was removed from all committees. However, Bekele argued that he did not resign, stating that he informed legal counsel that he would be stepping down and would be there during the transition.
The incident is reminiscent of Ponto's maneuvers at Adelanto, where he violated Government Code 54956 by approving a contract of a local agency executive at a special meeting of the board, contrary to the Brown Act. Ponto, who was the attorney for Central Basin, also allowed illegal votes in the past, including one in February 2019 at Adelanto City Council where City Manager Jessie Flores was placed on paid administrative leave through a non-agendized vote in closed session.
Under Assemblymember Cristina Garcia's bill passed a few years ago, ballots to appoint the new director are mandated to be sent out the next day after a director's resignation. The CB Board Secretary finalized the ballot on May 21, ending Bekele's term and declaring the seat open.
The implications of Bekele's attendance at the July 24 meeting would depend on whether his resignation was effective, if he was acknowledged as a board member in that meeting, and how bylaws or laws address such participation. For a precise understanding of the Thomas Bekele situation at Central Basin Municipal Water District, case records or official statements would be needed.
Meanwhile, the illegal motion to remove Chacon as president failed, with Chacon proceeding to other business and then adjourning the meeting. Similar to his actions at Adelanto and Cal City, Ponto and Garza violated the Brown Act by calling for a vote to remove Chacon as president, with Camacho seconding the motion.
As the situation unfolds, transparency, governance, and legal compliance remain crucial for the Central Basin Municipal Water District. The district's leadership is under scrutiny, and the public awaits further clarification on the legality of Bekele's attendance at the July 24 meeting and the potential implications for the district's decisions and operations.
The city council is expected to discuss the controversial attendance of Thomas Bekele at the Central Basin Municipal Water District meeting on July 24, 2024, amidst questions about governance and legal compliance. This incident, reminiscent of Ponto's actions at Adelanto, raises concerns about the legitimacy of decisions and potential liability issues related to community news, politics, and general-news.
As the situation at Central Basin Municipal Water District continues to unfold, the public awaits further clarification on the events surrounding Bekele's attendance, as transparency, governance, and legal compliance remain crucial for the effectiveness of the community and the district's operations.
