CLEARLAKE >> Vice Mayor Gina Fortino Dickson resigned from the Clearlake City Council, officials announced on Wednesday. She had served on the board since elected in 2012.
Fortino Dickson and her family moved to Sonoma County nearly three months ago. She still owns a home in Clearlake and claims to have been spending half of her nights in town on city business. Although at first committed to completing her final four months in office, she explained that the commute pushed her toward the decision.
“I really felt in my heart that I’d be able to finish my term, but it’s been increasingly difficult,” Fortino Dickson said, adding that her child goes to school in Rohnert Park while she works her day job in Ukiah.
Compared to the expedient resignation of Denise Lousalot in March after moving just beyond city limits, some had questioned Fortino Dickson’s ability to sit on the council.
“I did have questions about her residency but due to it being so close to the election cycle, I didn’t feel like it was necessary to file a complaint,” former fellow councilman Joey Luiz said. “I do feel like it’s important that she does the right thing. We’ve worked really hard during our time on the council to keep things transparent.”
Clearlake’s municipal code does not address residency requirements for the position. City manager Greg Folsom said he was told by the city attorney that Clearlake relies on the state’s definition.
State regulations hold that a person is not eligible to hold local office unless he/she “resides in the district and both resided in the geographical area making up the district from which he or she is elected.” Fortino Dickson continues to receive mail at a Clearlake P.O. box.
But few city officials were trouble by the arrangement.
“I’m not doing it without the knowledge of the manager of the city attorney,” she said.
“As long as she had a residency,” Folsom agreed. “I know’s she’s been talking about this for months.”
Fortino Dickson submitted a letter of resignation to the city clerk on Wednesday. She is expected to step down on Aug. 12.
“We were very disappointed to hear that she was going to be resigning,” Folsom said. “I’ll be sad to see her go.”
She was expected to address the council and public at last night’s regular meeting.
“I have full faith and confidence in our staff and council that they will continue with the forward momentum we created,” she said.
