You Are Being Served

At the Feb. 2 council meeting, Councilman Lance MacLean received notice he’s being recalled.

At 6 p.m., Councilman Frank Ury came into the council chambers from the entrance on the right, accompanied by MacLean. Ury sat down, and MacLean continued to stand near him. The process server, Mission Viejo resident Jim Snyder, was sitting front and center in the audience.

Those in the audience who signed the recall papers knew MacLean would be served at the meeting. Some wondered if he would retreat from the dais if he saw someone approaching who might be a process server. Snyder didn’t get up immediately when MacLean came in. He watched for a moment as MacLean moved toward his chair but remained standing.

A few seconds later, Snyder walked up to MacLean. He asked, “Are you Lance MacLean?” MacLean answered in a glib manner, “Yes, I am,” in a voice so loud it was surprising. Snyder said, “You are being served.”

That was it. Photos of the exchange conflict with what was written in a news report. The process server followed protocol by asking MacLean’s identity. MacLean was standing near Ury, not seated behind his nameplate. The process server was wearing a dark (not bright) shirt, and he didn’t “power walk” out of the room. He walked from the front of the room and up the aisle in a way that was unremarkable.

At first, MacLean showed little expression as he sat down and began looking through the papers. He showed them to Ury, and they both laughed. They continued going through the papers, looking at the signatures and laughing. The meeting began, and MacLean became quiet and somber. He looked as if it were sinking in that quite a few people want him out of office.

The recall Notice of Intention and proof of service was officially filed with the city clerk on Feb. 5.