Recall Update

As the recall of Councilman Lance MacLean has progressed, his supporters causing a scene have dwindled. Lately, recall workers have reported few incidents except for MacLean acting alone when he was harassing volunteers two weeks ago.

During the past week, volunteers’ sole encounter with a MacLean fanatic occurred in front of a grocery store. A volunteer became concerned about a stocky 50-year-old male who was angry when he saw the recall signs. She said, “He was belligerent and began yelling. He came toward me as if he were going to hit me. A bystander said that MacLean should be recalled, and then he went after the bystander.”

MacLean’s supporters who have displayed their anger are often repeat offenders. Some of them are easily recognizable when they reappear at storefronts. In Aegean Hills, a man who drives a dark-beige Chevy SUV is well known for making threats on behalf of MacLean. In north Mission Viejo, another of MacLean’s bullies drives a cream-colored Chrysler 300. A volunteer said, “We know who they are, and we see them coming. The driver of the Chrysler immediately runs into the store and complains to the manager. The manager doesn’t react because he knows we’re being courteous to everyone.”

Throughout the recall, MacLean and his supporters have consistently been wrong in their assessments. They said a handful of residents backed the recall. In fact, 51 proponents started the action and a great many more have joined in to collect signatures. Recall opponents next said gadflies were driving the recall, but the face of the recall is a wide range of residents, including newcomers. Recall opponents implied the proponents are an angry mob, but signature gatherers are consistently polite and civil.

Activity at some storefronts is winding down. After three months of signature-gathering, volunteers say they have to be careful about overworking a location. Some voters can’t remember if they signed weeks ago, and they’ll sign it again. The result is duplicate signatures, and only one signature will count. Signature gathering will continue for several more weeks while proponents check each signature against the Registrar of Voters’ data. Proponents will make certain they have the required number (approximately 9,300 verified ones) before ending the signature drive.