RICHLAND COUNTY (WIS) – WIS obtained a letter from the Richland County Recreation Commission Executive Director to the commission board members. She alleges that some board members’ behavior towards herself, employees, and their roles has created hostile work environments.
Lakita Watson, Executive Director, wrote a letter dated February 10, 2022. WIS received confirmation that the letter was sent by Watson to the commission.
The board announced on February 15 that a special called meeting would be held for February 16 to discuss a personnel matter involving Watson. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Watson names Donzetta Lindsay as the Commission Chair in a letter. CommissionersBrittany Singleton, James Mobley and Alphonzo Anderson are negative actors.
No allegations were made against anyone. CommissionersRobert Lapin, Stephen Venugopal, or Ashley Miller
Lindsay and Anderson didn’t respond to our request for comment. Singleton, Mobley and others declined to comment.
Watson opted to leave any comments to Paul Porter, her lawyer. Porter sent the following statement:
Lakita Watson, RCRC Director is a skilled professional in this field. She has tirelessly worked to improve the experience for RCRC customers and other community stakeholders. Before coming to South Carolina to join the RCRC, she had decades of experience in tourism, parks, and recreation. After the ten years of public controversy at RCRC, she has done a great job of restoring the agency to its former glory.
Ms. Watson provided an appropriate and PrivateResponse to a procedurally invalid, substantively unusual and unrelated document that was presented to her by one Board Member as a performance evaluation. Ms. Watson was not presented with the evaluation in the usual manner and there is no vote authorizing the presentation.
Ms. Watson’s letter was privately presented to the board. It was not released to the media by Watson or anyone else at her direction.
Ms. Watson’s reputation is being unfairly damaged by a few board members for political, non-professional, and personal reasons. The Board would be well served if it took a step back and reassessed whether its members are acting within the limits of the law and the governing bylaws. Ms. Watson was within her rights to respond to false criticisms from one board member, under the auspices a performance evaluation.
The commission manages almost $16 million Budget funded by the taxpayerParks, events and Recreational programs
Watson begins the letter by claiming that Donzetta Lindsay, Commission Chair, arrived at the offices of the commission at 11:45 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2022 and directed Watson to attend Watson’s annual performance evaluation before Lindsay’s 1 p.m. appointment.
Watson wrote that the meeting with Lindsay wasn’t scheduled. Lindsay insists on the meeting.
She wrote that staff members were within earshot of her conversation and that she was subject to much pressure during the conversation.
She stated that she had ended the conversation and called Diana McCoy, Human Resources Director, to be a witness in a conference room meeting.
Watson wrote that she had read the Executive Director Performance Assessment document dated Jan. 26, 2022, and that she signed it. She replied to the document by writing the following letter.
Ms. Lindsay wrote that she insisted that Lindsay read the document aloud in HR Directors presence, even though I explained that I had also read the document.
Watson wrote that it caused stress, embarrassment.
The remaining 7-page letter contains Watson’s procedural concerns, formal responses to the appraisal document, and any allegations against her. Watson repeatedly refers back to attachments to confirm her arguments.
WIS is not in possession of these attachments but has submitted Freedom of Information requests to Watson and the board for emails during that period.
Here are the allegations Watson made in his letter:
- Anderson, Singleton, and Mobley have limited knowledge and understanding of their roles on the Board and how they relate with Watson’s role as Executive director.
- Commissioners Lindsay and Anderson, Singleton, Singleton, and Mobley violated S.C. Freedom of Information Acts by participating in an illegal executive session on January 25th, 2022, after the meeting was closed to the public until 9:30 p.m., discussing my evaluation as well as the process
- Chair Lindsay didn’t follow the board bylaws for conducting the performance assessment.
- Lindsay, Chair, announced a retreat for the Board in December 2022 to allow the Board members to meet without the public. Watson wrote that she explained that this was a FOIA violation, and Lindsay replied that she didn’t care.
- Chair Lindsay would make false statements, creating division between Watson and the board
- Chair Lindsay harasses and intimidates staff members and asks them questions about policies and programs. Watson is not contacted to voice concerns.
- Commissioner Mobley was contracted as a dance teacher at the time. He was being paid for classes not being held. Watson informed Watson that he would get me a new contract after the commission had not renewed his contract in March 2019. [Watson]Back
- Despite being unprovoked, Commissioner Singleton was rude and unprofessional
- Commissioner Anderson sent me demeaning and condescending emails. He also used his military background to intimidate me and question my leadership capabilities.
- Chair Lindsay insults staff, members of the board, putting me into awkward situations
- Watson was told by Commissioner Singleton about Singleton’s busy schedule. She doesn’t check her email during the day and she can’t meet until after 6 p.m., making Watson unable to provide any information.
- Chair Lindsay has promoted false narratives that have impacted Watson’s ability to lead the agency. This has led to individuals looking for opportunities elsewhere.
The complete letter can be viewed below.
Watson assumed control of the department’s affairs in 2018. Her predecessor James Brown III, was arrested and later acquitted. He was acquitted on December 20, 2121.
Before being approved by Governor, the Richland County Legislative Delegation nominates board members.
Rep. Leon Howard (D-Richland Co.), stated Tuesday that he knew of friction between Watson’s board and Watson’s.
I don’t know who is right or wrong. I have a few here at the General Assembly, as I mentioned. I’m not responsible for micro-managing what is happening. However, at the end, the board members are bosses and if they decide to separate their relationships and pursue a different path, there is nothing we can do.
The Richland County government finances the commission.
Richland County Council Chair Overture Walker emailed WIS this statement We appreciate your reaching out to Richland County Council to comment on the recent developments at Richland County Recreation Commission. County Council could not comment on a story without all the facts. However, I believe it would be presumptuous. It is also important that the public understands that the Recreation Commission is independent from Richland County Council. They are an independent entity that Richland County funds only.
Furthermore, the Legislative Delegation has the responsibility of appointing Recreation Commission commissioners. These commissioners then hire an executive Director who is accountable to Commission. Therefore, I believe it prudent for County Council that they defer to the Delegation to receive a response to your inquiry.
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