Recall Update

Proponents are continuing to get signatures to ensure a margin of safety in the effort to recall Councilman Lance MacLean. The recall group announced that the gross number of 9,300 signatures has been exceeded. Volunteers are checking each signature against the database of voters to make sure they net enough valid ones. When asked how much longer the signature drive will continue, a recall proponent said it will end when they are confident they can qualify the recall for the ballot. Proponents are getting extra signatures to compensate for duplicates and others that will be deemed unqualified by the Registrar of Voters.

After City Manager Dennis Wilberg was videoed while he interfered with the recall effort on July 8, the city staff’s posturing abruptly ended. Recall committee members issued a press release accusing Wilberg of illegal acts of intimidation. They believe he violated state laws by attempting to harass signature gatherers. They also allege he illegally used public resources to become involved in the recall when he was texting or recording on his city-owned BlackBerry phone. After one of the recall workers videoed Wilberg on July 8, she said the video shows Wilberg holding his BlackBerry and conferring with another man who had been stalking two women throughout the day as they gathered signatures.

Recall proponents on July 9 requested public records with regard to the use of Wilberg’s BlackBerry. They listed “any and all records” within a three-hour period on July 8, including all incoming and outgoing phone calls, voice messages, text messages, instant messages, data processing, data input and all other activity recorded or initiated by the user, as well as all incoming data.

In response to the proponents’ request, city hall sent the following response: "A voluminous amount of separate and distinct records need to be searched and examined and multiple City departments may need to be consulted with in order to comply with the demands of your request."

A recall proponent commented: “They have got to be kidding. That's one overused BlackBerry.”

A signature gatherer sent a report during the past week: “We’re still gathering signatures in front of the library. One of Lance’s supporters showed up twice last week. She’s an exceptionally tall, older woman with Asian or Filipino ancestry. As she approached us, she said, ‘Pack your bags, you’re outta here.’ She then went into the library and told the librarian we had accosted her. On her way back out, she yelled at us, ‘You f***ing b**ches!’ She got out to the parking lot and made an obscene gesture as she left. Keep in mind we’re at the library, where moms are bringing children to get books. This woman has made repeat performances, and she threw a fit at a drugstore until the store manager came out to the street. She identifies herself as a friend of Lance, and they have a lot in common.”

On one of the hottest afternoons last week, recall volunteers were getting signatures at the library and four storefronts. A recall volunteer commented, “People are impressed that we’re out in full force. Those who have signed the petition are saying they’d sign it again if it would help get the recall on the ballot. Since only one signature counts, we discourage signing it again, but it’s good to know about everyone’s resolve in getting this guy out of office.