Recall Update

Last week, proponents of the MacLean recall said they expect to reach the goal of 9,350 signatures in June. The number represents 15 percent of Mission Viejo’s registered voters. To qualify the recall for the ballot, approximately 9,350 valid signatures must be collected by the Aug. 25 deadline.

The signature drive will continue for several additional weeks to compensate for duplicates and other signatures that the Registrar of Voters deems unqualified. Other disqualifications result from people signing who aren’t registered or they’re not registered at their current address.

Volunteers at storefronts report an interesting phenomenon. They say that MacLean’s supporters and opponents mention the same thing: MacLean didn’t act alone in some of his worst votes. The MUK majority of MacLean, Frank Ury and Trish Kelley all voted in favor of lifetime healthcare benefits after three terms of part-time service. All three supported a plan that would bulldoze the retail center at La Paz and Marguerite and rebuild it with apartments on top. All three stated their approval, either from the dais or in private conversations, for housing on the Casta del Sol Golf Course.

Distinguishing those who support MacLean from those who want to recall him is their choice of remedy. MacLean supporters give “their guy” a pass for everything, including his assault and battery on a co-worker. Recall supporters would like to dump all three majority members, but they’ll settle for removing MacLean as the worst of the lot.

A volunteer emailed, “Residents seem confident that MacLean will be recalled, and they’re not overly concerned about the expense of a special election. Many of them are shocked to learn that city hall spends more than $1 million a week. That puts the expense of an election into perspective when the council majority wastes so much money. Residents want MacLean out of office as soon as possible.”

A few MacLean supporters have stated that he’s done “good things” for the city. To the contrary, he has no record of leadership on positive accomplishments, but that’s not why he’s being recalled. The grounds for recalling him include his anger issues, self-enrichment, disrespect for residents, greed and corrupt priorities, wasteful spending, breaking campaign promises and his attempt to raise taxes. As a statement of how low the bar has been set, no one has criticized MacLean for his lack of positive accomplishments. He could have stuck around if he’d simply done no harm.