Recall Concerns Still Abound

The process of recalling an elected official has been available to voters since 1911. Specific grounds for recall are required in only eight states – California is not one of them, any registered voter can begin a recall campaign for any reason. Furthermore, ALL names of the signers of the recall petition are public information.

Russ Thomas, previous District 5 Supervisor, is in support of the Spellman recall effort stating that, “Darren Spellman has proven himself to be a recalcitrant public official.  His frequently-reported public actions justify his removal.” While Betsy Duncan, Real Estate Agent and community activist stated that she is opposed to a recall “because it is costly and divisive during a time when we cannot afford either. Also because he (Spellman) has not done anything egregious.”

If the recall effort, that could possibly cost the taxpayers up to $30,000, comes to fruition, then a candidate for the vacant position must run for that office at an additional expense to the taxpayers. Currently there are two candidates that have publicly announced their interest in running for the vacated District 5 seat if the recall effort succeeds: Marti Crane and Michael McDaniel.

Marti Crane, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Calaveras County, was recently quoted in the Calaveras Enterprise as saying, ““We all work from the same budget – it’s one (county) budget. Just because we have districts, that does not mean that we have to have boundaries.”

Michael McDaniel, heading the recall effort, is active in the Veteran community with an unsuccessful bid for the District 5 seat in 2006 under his belt, points to Spellman’s “lack of attending meetings that he is required to attend and his personal attacks on individuals” as a cornerstone to the recall effort, stating that he (McDaniels) “will only run if there is not a viable candidate.” And that with his years of involvement in Calaveras politics would make him a viable candidate. He believes in “being honest with people and listening to people, being available is a big priority to me. Respect for the community, to serve the whole community.”

“I'm hoping that the voters will do their homework; they should elect someone with an abundant amount of meaningful experience and leadership ability.” Said Russ Thomas when candidates began to come forward expressing interest in the District 5 seat.

Betsy Duncan stated that she would never support a candidate who supported a recall and then offered to run, “It seems like an inherent conflict of interest to me.” Though agreeing with Russ on one issue -voters must do their homework when voting. Further stating that “the people that are disgruntled with our current Supervisor may be disgruntled with the next one.”

When asked if Russ would likely throw his hat in the ring for the 2012 District 4 election he stated, “Candidates for the District 4 seat have until March 2012 to answer that question.  At this time, I can only say that I'm keeping my options open.”