Fourth in a series
Re “You May Never Hear a Better Definition of a City Clerk’s Role”
[img]2994|right|Donesia Gause||no_popup[/img]Dateline Carson — It is entirely fitting – and no surprise to family or friends – that Donesia Gause, the city clerk of Carson, has remained well above the fray of firecracker accusations in a showdown election to retain her job one week from Tuesday.
Let others make the charges or the defenses, whichever is necessary.
Shortly after Carson Mayor Jim Dear — the freely outspoken political veteran who dipped into politics before she was born — declared for Ms. Gause’s job in November, it has become much noisier than usual around this community.
Backers of the demure young Ms. Gause, who is black, have tattooed the air with accusations that Mr. Dear, white, is driving a racist campaign.
Twelve days out from the March 3 election, it appears such fiery charges may not have been launched if it had been up to Ms. Gause. Blasting opponents is not her personality. A smart professional, she has enormous confidence in the multiple and precise skills required for her office.
Her soft-spoken-ness should not be mistaken for vulnerability. More like gritty and archly determined.
“I was very much surprised when (Mr. Dear) pulled papers,” she said.
“I was intrigued,” a fascinating description.
Ms. Gause may have presumed that three years after winning appointment when her longtime predecessor became disabled, she might unopposed for her first full elected term.
“This has got to be a very exciting race for me,” Ms. Gause said.
“I understand I am going up against a person who has a name in the community,” perhaps the most recognizable of all in Carson.
“Given that I only have served in the position three years and my predecessor was there 37 years, some people may think my predecessor (Helen Kawagoe) still is the clerk. She was a pillar in our profession.”
(To be continued)
