Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2015
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2015 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/sections/services/forms/editorletter.php
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Eric Vodden

SUPPORTERS OF VASQUEZ RECALL TO TRY AGAIN

Supporters have until next week to resubmit a sample petition to Yuba 
County election officials before they can start collecting signatures 
in an attempt to recall Supervisor Andy Vasquez.

Vasquez opponents late last week submitted sample petitions and proof 
of publication of a legal ad to try and recall Vasquez. An election 
official said it was sent back to recall proponents to make 
corrections, a common practice in a process with strict requirements.

Opponents have until Monday to resubmit the petitions, and election 
officials have another 10 days to review them before signatures can 
start being collected. To force a recall election, signatures of 25 
percent of the registered voters in the 1st District  or 1,069 of 
4,274 voters  must be gathered within 60 days.

Vasquez was initially served with recall papers during a Board of 
Supervisors meeting by opponents to Yuba County's new marijuana 
cultivation ordinance. He was served a second time by certified mail 
after it was determined the first paperwork filed with the county was invalid.

The notice of intent to recall signed by 43 registered voters (only 
22 were needed) accuses Vasquez of failing "to display the degree of 
honesty due his office, loyalty and integrity." It refers to 
Vasquez's support of enacting the cultivation ordinance as an urgency 
measure, claiming his vote "was in violation of the Brown Act as 
public did not receive 72 hours before adoption of ordinance."

It also refers to a 2011 incident in which Vasquez allegedly 
confronted a motorcyclist with a firearm and to his support of a new 
median on North Beale Road opposed by some businesses.

In addition, the notice refers to recent votes of approval by 
Vasquez, sitting on the Yuba County Water Agency board, on water 
transfers to outside agencies.

In his formal response to the recall notice, Vasquez filed two 
sentences: "Don't be fooled! If you sign this petition, you're 
supporting large marijuana growers."

Vasquez was first appointed to the Board of Supervisors in 2009, won 
election to a four-year term in 2010 and was re-elected last year to 
another four years.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom