Kennesaw to hold special election to replace Dowdy

Kennesaw is preparing for a special election to replace city council member John Dowdy, who resigned Monday after being named in a racial harassment lawsuit filed against the city.

Prior to the lawsuit, city officials were conducting an investigation into harassment and discrimination charges by city employees. It has taken disciplinary action against at least one employee.

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John Dowdy

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Dowdy, a 10-year council member, is one of eight defendants named in a lawsuit charging that the city tolerates racial discrimination and racial harassment.

He was in the second year of a four-year term. Because of the time left on his term, the city will hold a special election rather than Mayor Mark Mathews appointing someone to fill his seat. The date of the election has not been set. Dowdy’s resignation is effective March 31.

Leslie Gutierrez has lived most of her life in Kennesaw. She thought the racial tension of past years was over, until the lawsuit was made public.

“I’m glad the city is doing all it can to make people feel safe here, to feel wanted and that this is their home,” Gutierrez said.

She thinks Dowdy made the right move in resigning.

Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, said it is inappropriate for any elected official to be involved with “hateful and racist language and also to promote a violent and racist video game. The good residents of Kennesaw deserve better representation.”

The lawsuit, filed on March 9 by three current and former employees in the city’s public works department, singles Dowdy out.

According to the lawsuit, “Dowdy, in particular, authors and disseminates racially disparaging e-mails using racial slurs, racial stereotypes, and threats of violence to minorities… .” It specifically refers to an online game disparaging of Latinos that Dowdy forwarded to a department head.

In his resignation letter, Dowdy wrote, “My poor judgement should not reflect on the Mayor and other Council Members. I particularly want to apologize to Mayor Mathews. It is important that all members of the public know I acted alone without realizing I might cause harm to others who are blameless.”

Dowdy said in his letter that it was an honor to serve. “However the current situation has made it difficult for me to continue to do so effectively.”

Mathews said Dowdy was instrumental in forming Kennesaw’s environmental committee and its tree ordinance.

“We’re still committed to providing the best service to our community and to our employees working for the city,” Mathews said.

— Staff writer Kent A. Miles contributed to this article.