What Happened to Mychele Dee?

Earlier this month, I posted a short note about Mychele Dee and the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande. Reliable sources tipped me off that Mychele was stepping down abruptly to care for her ailing mother in Phoenix because the Clark Center had denied her request for a leave of absence.

I have had contact directly with Mychele and with Sandy Lubin, the incoming board president. Sandy has been adamant in his denials of the story, even claiming that the board offered Mychele a leave of absence. Mychele is choosing to remain silent for the moment.

So I pulled the original story from the blog, but not because of any problems with my allegations. In fact, I believe an even larger story about Clark Center politics looms under the surface and several in the local media are beginning to circle with interest.

I have no axe to grind with the Clark. It is a wonderful facility and the people of South County are lucky to have something like this in their backyard. But Mychele Dee was also highly respected among the local media and, to be honest, there's something about what happened to her that doesn't quite pass the smell test.

We'll know more after the holidays. Watch this space.