Retirement of Board Member Whitney Dotson - Notice of Vacancy
Park District Board Vacancy Announced
Oakland, CA – East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Whitney Dotson, Ward 1, has announced that he is retiring from the Park District Board of Directors, effective December 18, 2019. Dotson’s last board meeting will be Tuesday, December 17, 2019.
“Parks and health are my passion,” said Director Whitney Dotson. “I’ve been blessed to be able to bridge both of them as a board member for the East Bay Regional Park District for the last 10 years.”
In his time on the board, Director Dotson supported several significant projects in his ward, including the Atlas Road Bridge at Pt. Pinole, completion of the Bay Trail between Pinole Shores and Bayfront Park, restoration of Albany Beach, restoration of the now-named Dotson Family Marsh at Point Pinole, and the soon-to-be-completed Bay Trail segment between Berkeley and Albany.
Director Dotson is a well-known community activist in Richmond and is president of the North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Alliance, a group of community and environmental organizations and individuals working to save access to open space along the northern shoreline of Richmond. Dotson is also vice-chair of the Parchester Village Neighborhood Council in Richmond, where he previously served as president. He is a long-time resident of Parchester Village.
Prior to being elected to the board, Dotson served as an appointed member of the Park District Park Advisory Committee. He was elected to the Park District Board of Directors in November 2008. His term was set to expire in 2020.
“Director Dotson has been an invaluable member of the Park District Board,” said East Bay Regional Park District Board President Ayn Wieskamp. “His passion for his community, for social justice, and for the environment have served his district well, and I will miss him and his good humor.”
Director Dotson’s ward includes the communities of Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Kensington, part of Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo. Parks in Ward 1 include Brooks Island, Kennedy Grove, McLaughlin Eastshore, Miller/Knox, Point Isabel, Point Pinole, Sobrante Ridge, Tilden, and Wildcat Canyon.
“Director Dotson has been a champion for parks and their public health benefits,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “He has been a tireless advocate for protecting the shoreline, expanding shoreline access, and environmental justice, with a career spanning over 60 years.”
The process for filling the board vacancy will follow established protocols, including the submittal of applications, creation of the three-member board vacancy nominating committee, selection of three finalists by the board vacancy nominating committee, and formal public interviews before the full board at a special board meeting. The three-member board vacancy nominating committee will review applications, interview potential candidates, and recommend at least three finalists to be interviewed by the full board. The full board will interview finalists at a special public board meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
The East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors consists of seven representatives, elected by ward, who are responsible for the policy direction of the Park District. Board members receive $105 per eligible meeting, up to $1050 per month, and are eligible for benefits. The board meets twice a month at Park District headquarters, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland.
Applications must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board, East Bay Regional Park District, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland CA 94605 no later than noon on Friday, November 8, 2019. Emailed applications will not be accepted. Applicants must be over age 18, reside in Ward 1, and be registered to vote. The Ward 1 director position will be up for election in 2020.
More information about the board and the Park District is available at www.ebparks.org.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and 1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor
(925) 482-7078
dmason@ebparks.org
