But Cr Christine Garey, the Dunedin City Council’s appointee to the Strath Taieri board, is declining to say whether the fallout from Mr Dowling’s resignation was behind her decision to step down.
Her resignation, citing "personal reasons", was confirmed late last week, but Cr Garey was not prepared to elaborate on what those reasons were, when contacted by the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"I’m not prepared to comment any further specifically about that," she said.
Her decision came months after Cr Garey backed a failed motion of no confidence in Mr Dowling, who on August 17 last year was convicted of assaulting a woman after returning home from a hotel.
The motion was put forward by fellow board member Norma Emerson and supported by Cr Garey, but other board members voted it down.
Mr Dowling eventually resigned the following month, after being labelled "a poor example of a community leader" by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull.
A report to tomorrow’s full council meeting recommends appointing Cr Mike Lord to replace Cr Garey on the board.
Cr Lord would also not be drawn on the reasons for Cr Garey’s resignation yesterday, saying when contacted, that would be "speculation".
He was also reluctant to comment on how he would handle any ongoing split within the board, but said he would do his best for the community if appointed.
"I don’t know if there’s a problem that needs healed. I simply do not know that.
"All I have got to do is the best job for the community."
Board chairman Barry Williams said he was aware of Cr Garey’s intention to resign, but had not spoken to her about her about it and would not comment on her motives.
Cr Lord came from a "good rural background", but Mr Williams said he had worked well with Cr Garey, as well.
"I don’t think there’s many I don’t get on with. We certainly probably begged to differ on some things, but that happens with all people."
Asked if divisions remained following Mr Dowling’s departure, Mr Williams said board members were working well together.
"We had a meeting the other day and it was good."
Cr Garey said yesterday she also planned to resign from the Community Boards Executive Committee (CBEC), which represented community boards across New Zealand, to focus on her responsibilities as a city councillor.
