Bonnie Paige, who returned to Stockton City Hall last month as interim city clerk following the resignation of Katherine Roland, is stepping down, less than six weeks after taking the position, according to documents reviewed by Stocktonia.
In an email obtained by Stocktonia and sent to Mayor Christina Fugazi and city councilmembers at 2:38 p.m. Thursday, Paige said her resignation would take effect Nov. 6. She cited changes at City Hall as the reason for her departure.
“I feel I am not the right person for this position any longer,” Paige wrote. “Things are very different here in the city of Stockton, which I expected, as change is inevitable as time goes on and the city grows.”
Paige did not identify a specific incident or disagreement that prompted her decision. She described the changes as positive and emphasized that city employees had welcomed and supported her since her return last month.
She also indicated that the decision was not sudden.
“Believe me this wasn’t a decision made spur of the moment,” Paige wrote. “I have thought about this for days now.”
The City Council voted 6-0 on Sept. 15 to appoint Paige, who previously served as Stockton’s city clerk from 2011 to 2017 and worked for the city for more than 28 years. Her appointment took effect Sept. 16.
The City Clerk’s Office oversees municipal elections, maintains official city records and supports City Council proceedings. Paige was appointed to lead the office temporarily while Stockton searches for a permanent replacement for Roland, who left following a tumultuous summer at City Hall.
Paige’s resignation comes before a search for a permanent replacement had produced a publicly announced appointment.
It was not immediately clear who would oversee the City Clerk’s Office after Nov. 6 or whether the City Council will appoint another interim clerk.
Departure follows months of controversy
The latest resignation marks another leadership change at the City Clerk’s Office following months of internal disputes and allegations involving elected officials.
Roland, Paige’s predecessor, submitted her resignation Aug. 31 following weeks of uncertainty over her employment and closed-session discussions about her leadership.
She had alleged that Jason Teramoto, Fugazi’s public information officer, had attempted to interfere with the June 2 primary election.
In a July 1 email previously obtained by Stocktonia, then-City Attorney Marci Arredondo informed councilmembers of Roland’s allegations and her request for an investigation.
Arredondo also warned that taking adverse employment action against Roland near the time of her complaint could expose the city to a retaliation claim because Roland could argue she was a whistleblower.
Weeks later, Councilmembers Michele Padilla, Brando Villapudua and Mariela Ponce supported an effort to hold a closed-session meeting to consider possible disciplinary action against or dismissal of the city clerk.
Roland characterized the effort as retaliation. The sequence of events, however, does not independently establish that councilmembers’ actions were connected to her allegations against Teramoto.
Teramoto previously denied the election interference allegations, telling Stocktonia they had “zero merit.”
Investigation findings remain undisclosed
The controversy resurfaced last week when Fugazi announced that an independent investigation had found insufficient evidence to substantiate three allegations against Teramoto.
According to the mayor’s Oct. 15 announcement, outside attorney Gregory Taylor examined allegations that Teramoto attempted to influence election procedures, involve the city clerk in political activity and manipulate City Council procedures against then-Vice Mayor Jason Lee.
Fugazi said the investigation, dated Sept. 28, did not substantiate any of the allegations.
However, the city did not publicly release the investigative report, leaving questions about which witnesses were interviewed, what evidence was reviewed and the scope of the investigation.
Lee subsequently disputed the mayor’s characterization of the controversy and released internal communications documenting concerns that Roland had raised before her departure.
Paige’s resignation comes months after a San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report identified leadership instability, council infighting and interference with city employees as problems affecting Stockton’s government. The June report, titled “Governance in Turmoil,” examined the council’s conduct collectively rather than singling out individual members.
On Sept. 29, the City Council approved its response, partially agreeing with all nine findings and accepting eight recommendations.
Stocktonia reached out to Paige, Fugazi and city spokesperson Tony Mannor seeking clarification about Paige’s resignation, the circumstances surrounding her decision and the city’s plans for filling the vacancy. None immediately responded to requests for comment.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss the interim city clerk position behind closed doors on Tuesday. The agenda does not indicate whether a replacement will immediately be appointed.