Recall MacLean: From the Front Lines

The effort to recall Councilman Lance MacLean began Feb. 2 when he was served with notice at a council meeting. The recall petition was approved on Mar. 18, and recall proponents have been gathering signatures for more than a week. Following are questions this blog asked those who are gathering signatures to recall MacLean.

What’s the general reaction of residents to the recall?

MacLean has upset a lot of people, and they sign the petition in a heartbeat. We’re finding three categories: 1) residents who know the issues and sign the petition, 2) those who sign the petition after hearing the issues, 3) those who are either not interested or say they don’t have time to sign. Lance’s supporters are such a low percentage that they’re not a category. When we work for four hours, we find two or three Lance supporters out of hundreds of people.

Do Lance’s supporters try to challenge you?

No, they don’t have much to say. If they were to challenge us, we should ask them to name one positive thing MacLean has done for the city. In his written rebuttal against the recall, he takes credit for Mission Viejo being a safe city, but what did he have to do with it? With his assault and battery at UCI, he made Irvine a more dangerous city. According to his neighbors, he’s made his neighborhood a more dangerous place.

What have his neighbors said?

They’re signing the petition and saying he should be recalled. Last week, one of his neighbors told some of the recall proponents that Lance got mad at her kids and chased them with a shovel. We’re constantly getting reports from residents about his bad temper and outbursts.

What are the primary reasons people want to recall Lance?

Top reasons include his assault and battery against a co-worker and his giving himself a pay raise. Residents are angry about his putting cell towers in parks and near homes, and they’re worried that he wants to bring in more housing. Some people mention his idea of suing the school districts, including his statement about filing a “kitchen sink” lawsuit. Yesterday at one of our tables, a resident said, “MacLean has used his power on the council to hurt other people.” That’s a powerful reason to recall him.

Do you think the recall will succeed?

Yes. Absolutely.