MacLean Harasses Recall Volunteers
Press release

Mission Viejo, CA, May 13, 2009 – On May 9, embattled Mission Viejo Councilman Lance MacLean attempted to block signature gathering at a storefront. The incident occurred when two volunteer workers were asking Mission Viejo residents to sign the petition to recall him.

In response to the recall effort, MacLean and a handful of people who support him have either harassed volunteers or made threats of violence against those gathering signatures. On Saturday morning, MacLean approached the petitioners’ table and tried to block their activity.

Dale Sandore, a longtime community member, was one of the volunteers asking residents to sign the recall petition. He said, “When Lance came to our table, I asked him if he’d like to sign the petition to remove himself from office. We had recall signs on the table, so our purpose was clear. MacLean instead came to harass us or block residents from signing the petition. He stayed for approximately 10 minutes until another volunteer, Matt Corrigan, got out his camera. At that point, MacLean attempted to leave before he could be photographed.”

MacLean’s effort to avoid being photographed was seen by the recall group as acknowledgement he knew he was wrong to interfere. Corrigan took MacLean’s picture as he was trying to get away from the table.

Sandore added, “While sitting next to us, Lance said he wanted to give his side of the story to residents. He’s had six years on the council to do that. I told him that those who voted him into office felt betrayed. He lied to us and misrepresented himself in his campaign. Matt also told him that being in office gives him the bully pulpit, whereas residents get only three minutes during public comments at council meetings. MacLean has had plenty of opportunity to express himself, and blocking signatures at our table isn't the place to do it.”

MacLean and his supporters have used bullying and intimidation to interfere with signature gathering. Threats made by MacLean supporters have been reported to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Last week, an OCSD officer interviewed a witness and filed the report as a terrorist threat. In each case, MacLean, his family members or others approached recall tables without any signature gatherer speaking to them.

Recall spokesman Dale Tyler said, “MacLean is trying to thwart the constitutionally protected process of recall by intimidation. His actions during the last six years prove that his approach to conflict is to belittle his critics. We've had enough and intend to give the voters a chance to remove him from office. It is quite instructive that his supporters use the same tactics of bullying and intimidation that he does."

Tyler announced that the recall effort reached the halfway point on May 4 with the collection of more than 4,650 signatures. Approximately 9,300 valid ones are needed by the Aug. 25 deadline.