Former Arcata Mayor, Brett Watson, Releases Statement Claiming to Have Stepped Down Eleven Days Ago

Brett Watson’

Brett Watson

Story from Kevin Hoover at the Mad River Union:

In a press release issued Friday night, Oct. 22, City Councilmember Brett Watson provided a statement regarding his council status.

While it appears on City of Arcata letterhead and bears the official City of Arcata seal, the release isn’t consistent with the city’s press release style, and was sent out separately from the city’s Friday batch of news releases.

Brett Watson release

Brett Watson press release.

City Manager Karen Diemer confirmed that the release didn’t go through city channels, but was independently contrived by Watson using “an old form” of Communications Specialist Catarina Gallardo’s.

The statement claims that he stepped down as mayor of Arcata on Oct. 11, though the rest of the council formally stripped him of that position in a special meeting October 20.

Watson makes no mention of departing the council itself, though the other four members have stated they have “no confidence” in his service.

Below is Watson’s statement:

Over the last 4 years I’ve worked very hard to serve the people of Arcata and it’s been the greatest honor of my life. On Monday October 11th, I informed the City Council and staff I would be stepping down as Mayor and entering a 30 day residential rehabilitation program to focus on depression and personal issues. My goal is to get myself better before making any decisions on how I can continue to best serve my community. I’m very grateful for the outpouring of support I’ve received and I’ll inform the community of my decision as soon as possible.”

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12 Comments
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Wonderboy
Guest
Wonderboy
2 years ago

I wonder where some one like him would go for treatment?

Huh?
Guest
Huh?
2 years ago
Reply to  Wonderboy

Probably Narconon… ya know, the trendy Scientology treatment program.

Dan Fuller
Member
Dan Fuller
2 years ago
Reply to  Huh?

ScienTROLLogy??? He’d be better off still hooked!!!

Steve Koch
Guest
Steve Koch
2 years ago
Reply to  Huh?

Isn’t that spelled Narcanon? So funny😁.
Or Narcan on?
Or even Narc anon?

Brett is a slippery dude, seems to assume that most of his constituents are gullible chumps.

Wonderboy
Guest
Wonderboy
2 years ago

Well I can understand and relate to him. With all the attacks on everyone’s mental health combined with isolation, depression, then to top it off the anniversary of the death of possibly the most loved and closest person in his whole life. So yeah I can see why and understand why he did it, but I’m condoning his actions either. But what I do know is if drugs are moderately used they don’t Necessarily pose a significant risk. Me personally think all drugs should be decriminalized like marijuana and regulated and sold without all the poison and cut that makes drugs way worse then they should be. After all alcohol is basically like heroin in a sence and is actually far worse and deadly when withdrawing.

Sandy Beaches
Guest
Sandy Beaches
2 years ago

Best wishes for recovery and redemption. Don’t deny or knock something for someone that you yourself may need later.

Farce
Guest
Farce
2 years ago

I’m usually snarky but I will never make fun of anybody going to rehab. How embarrassing to have to do it so publicly. Best wishes, Brett…One day at a time

ILoveplants
Guest
ILoveplants
2 years ago

I don’t know much about this situation, but it appears he is having personal issues. The hardest step is admitting you have a problem. We all make bad decisions. I commend this man for taking the necessary steps to better his life. I hope the best for him and his family in their journey.

e fox
Member
2 years ago

It took him 3 months to figure out he had a problem? Will be entering a 30-day residential rehabilitation program to focus on depression and personal issues. Still not admitting to a drug problem. You don’t really think this is a one off, that he just used that one time. Please…

Last edited 2 years ago
burblestein
Guest
burblestein
2 years ago
Reply to  e fox

Denial can be a powerful barrier to recovery.

Farce
Guest
Farce
2 years ago
Reply to  e fox

Probably spun into a spiral. Who’s that quote from ” I only did cocaine once. For 10 years”?

VMG
Guest
VMG
2 years ago

Where can a drug addict/alcoholic get elected to a responsible public office?

Arcata!

Where can the Mayor be hired by an adjoining city, appointed to another Public Office which they are totally unqualified for?

Arcata!

Where do the city officials “appoint, elect and depose each other, without benefit of elections or consult with the citizenry?

Arcata!

Why the f**k would anyone want to live, in Arcata?

Brett, you were probably intoxicated the whole time, and I doubt if anyone is gonna make a movie about the “Government of Arcata”, but, you will remembered as the only City Council-person who could appropriately dress for work…

Thanks for your service Brett, even though you were impaired!

You looked good in your “Business Casual”, and you always wore a tie…

Arcata: Where anything can happen, and frequently does…

Parents: Do you really want your kids to go to school here?

America: Where any behavior at all is permitted, as long as you keep your hair cut and wear your tie!

Brett: Take a deep breath, it’s going to get better! And there’s an NA/AA meeting starting, right about now!

Hang in there, Brett! One day at a time!

OH, and, if you can’t recover from Drug Addiction in Arcata, you might want to move somewhere else, like, say, Cedar Rapids…