Dateline Carson — Even though a recall election that could oust Jim Dear from office is less than two months away, the Carson City Council will move tomorrow to strip the embattled city clerk of some powers.
A staff-recommended resolution up for approval at 3 o’clock Tuesday says Mr. Dear should forfeit his duties maintaining records for three city governmental agencies because he has displayed “conduct unbecoming of a Carson elected official and (violated) ethical principles.”
The special meeting will be in Council Chambers at City Hall, 701 E. Carson St. At stake are Mr. Dear’s duties as secretary of the city’s Housing Authority, Public Financing Authority and the Successor Agency that oversees redevelopment projects in blighted areas.
“The Carson City Clerk shall no longer be automatically appointed to the office of secretary … and, instead, the City Council may appoint an individual of its choosing,” the staff recommendation states. It also requests that the agencies go a step farther and remove Mr. Dear from their boards altogether.
Mr. Dear’s duties already have been trimmed. In September, the clerk’s staff was moved to another office because of increasing fear about his angry outbursts. Mr. Dear was banned from sitting on the dais during Council meetings and given limited access to City Hall, among other things.
In October, Mr. Dear was slapped with public censure by a unanimous City Council vote after a laundry list of employee accusations surfaced of harassment, intimidation and discrimination. City leaders said they would like to fire him but can’t because he was elected to the job by voters. His term ends in March 2019.
A resident-led recall effort that gained steam after Mr. Dear had a public meltdown at a June City Council meeting, cursing at residents and Council members and repeatedly disrupting city business, will culminate in a Feb. 23 election.
Mr. Dear, who survived a previous recall in 2008 as mayor, is actively fighting this one with campaign mailers, signs around town and other electioneering. He argues that the allegations against him are lies drummed up by political foes. He did not return a request for comment.
But City Hall officials say he and his supporters continue to threaten staff and c\Council members who have spoken out against him.
Sheriff’s deputies are investigating six tire slashings in the City Hall parking lot targeting employees who had criticized Mr. Dear in an independent investigation in September that was commissioned because of widespread fear he would “snap or go postal.” Employees said he intimidated them with irrational angry outbursts and regularly interrupted work for personal favors and gossip about political enemies.
On Dec. 1, the City Council voted 4-0 to offer a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for slashing tires. Investigators are now following up on several tips, Mayor Al Robles said.
“Unfortunately, Jim Dear continues to disrespect and bully employees and residents,” Mr. Robles said. “He continues to exhibit a contemptuous attitude toward others and a complete disregard for adhering to policy and procedures. I wish he could just do his job as city clerk … so things could get back to normal.”
Behind the Tire Slashing
Councilwoman Donesia Gause, who ran against Mr. Dear for the clerk’s seat before she was appointed to the Council, said her tire was similarly slashed during the election campaign.
“When I was city clerk, my tire was slashed — a brand new tire,” Gause said. “I’m a God-fearing woman. So I don’t have enemies who would slash my tire.
“These are not political machinations. This is really happening in our city. Yes, it’s beyond belief. But this Mafia mentality is not coming from the dais. All we’re trying to do is protect our city.”
Mr. Dear has particularly targeted Mr. Robles, yelling that he is “evil” and “corrupt” during Council meetings. Mr. Dear held the mayor’s seat for 11 years until he vacated it for the higher-paid clerk’s office in March. Mr. Robles then was appointed mayor by his Council colleagues.
Mr. Dear’s supporters have been accused of going to inappropriate lengths to support him. City officials obtained restraining orders to stop Mr. Dear from bringing three friends to work with him in September after his staff was relocated to another office.
Council members said Mr. Dear’s brother, former longtime Gardena Mayor Don Dear, made threatening statements during a Nov. 4 Council discussion about hate mail being distributed against Mr. Dear’s critics. One flyer showed a picture of a gun aimed at Mr. Robles’ head.
As Jim Dear spoke to Council members about the hit pieces, Don Dear said, “Just shoot him already” to a security guard, seemingly referring to Mr. Robles. In a subsequent police report about the incident, Don Dear said he was jokingly referring to his brother — not Mr. Robles. But city leaders highlighted the incident as another example of ongoing inappropriate attacks by Mr. Dear and his supporters.
“Why would Don Dear ask that someone shoot his own brother? Even in a joking way,” states a staff report on the incident. “A logical conclusion could be asserted that Don Dear is either trying to intimidate the mayor and the Council or he is truly trying to foster and promote violence. His comment should not be written off as a ‘joke.’ ”
