Mayor Recall Notice Served: In Colton....

City leaders begin steps to remove the mayor
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 09/05/2007 12:00:00 AM PDT
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_6803578


COLTON - Business and civic leaders on Tuesday night launched an effort to remove Mayor Kelly Chastain from office.
Members of a nonpartisan group Citizens for Colton First handed Chastain an intent to recall notice during the public comment portion of the meeting.

If the notice is deemed sufficient, the group can begin the signature-gathering process to force a recall election.

Recall proponents would need to collect at least 3,180 valid signatures of Colton residents, which equates to 20 percent of the 15,896 registered voters in the city.

The group plans to collect more than 4,000 signatures in case some are thrown out because of deficiencies.

The group's goal is to place the recall for a yes or no vote before residents in a special election in April 2008.

Leaders of the recall movement said Chastain has taken the city down the wrong path since she was elected mayor in November.

Chastain, 44, has served on the council since 1992.

"We are concerned about the way our city is being run and the level of government representation we are getting," longtime resident Frank Navarro, president-elect of the Colton Chamber of Commerce, said before the meeting.

"We're doing the recall because she's not doing the job she was elected to do."
Chastain responded that she is moving Colton in a new direction that some people might find uncomfortable.

"Call it an honor," Chastain said of the recall. "I guess I'm doing something right - making change."

Chastain noted two proposed mixed-use developments in the west and south ends of the city that she said will bring lots of jobs and tax revenue to Colton.

Councilman John Mitchell praised Chastain's leadership as mayor.

"She has been amazing," Mitchell said during the meeting. "She has gone above and beyond what I ever thought she could be. We have some awesome, awesome opportunities in this city."

In their recall notice, proponents said Chastain has misused her position by launching irresponsible attacks on businesses and citizens and demonstrated a lack of knowledge of her financial responsibility.

Recall supporters also accuse Chastain of mishandling the effort to build a county regional park in Colton.

They say also she ignores the wishes of citizens while supporting large pay raises for city department heads.

The city's attempt to develop a two-mile bike path along Colton Avenue also has outraged recall proponents.

Officials are locked in a legal battle with a longtime resident who occupies a sliver of property the city needs for the bike project.

Gary Grossich, whose father, Ernie Grossich, sits on the disputed land, is a part of the recall movement.

"There's a lot bigger issues that affect a lot more people in Colton than this bike path," Gary Grossich said. "My dad's situation with the city is just another branch off the same tree."Art Thompson,

an 85-year-old Colton native, said he used to be a big supporter of Chastain but now has a different opinion of the mayor.

"I'm really disappointed, to say the least," said Thompson. "It's one of those things that if you make a mistake, you try to get it right."

Chastain said she will defeat the recall challenge.

"I'm committed to moving Colton out of the past and into a successful and healthy community," she said during the meeting. "I can sleep at night knowing that I'm doing what's right for the city."


Colton group seeks mayor's recall; council members defends leader
08:45 AM PDT on Wednesday, September 5, 2007
By MELANIE C. JOHNSON
The Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/localnews/colton/stories/PE_News_Local_B_bact05.535a57.html

COLTON - A group of citizens who say they aren't happy with the way the city is being run wants to recall Colton Mayor Kelly Chastain.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, about a dozen citizens stood up during public comment, as resident Frank Navarro spoke of discontentment with the city's leadership.

"Tonight, before you is a group of citizens that are pessimistic about their city," Navarro said. "Their pessimism is such that the time has come to stand up and voice their feelings as to how their elected officials are conducting city business."

Navarro said after he spoke that the group has presented the mayor and the city with a petition signed by 35 residents who support of the recall. He said the group is not satisfied with how the city is being run but declined to give specifics.

"A well-run city is like an effective business," Navarro said. "Yes, our services are being provided, but it's the politics within the machine."

Chastain responded to the recall effort, describing the push to oust her as a sign that she is "doing something right."

Alluding to the corruption in the city's past, Chastain said the new council is attempting to move forward and get beyond that negativity.

"I am not here for a popularity contest or to be a 'yes' person," she said. "I was elected for change, and I think that's what the community wants."

Several council members spoke in support of Chastain.

Councilman John Mitchell said the city leaders don't make decisions based on who is a "good ol' boy" anymore, and that rubs some the wrong way.

"She's gone above and beyond anything I thought she could be or would be," Councilman John Mitchell said of Chastain. "We can wallow in the past, or we can move on and do some awesome things."

Councilwoman Susan Oliva said she feels criticism of Chastain goes back to the previous council. Chastain has served on the council since 1996. She was elected mayor in November.

"This mayor has worked diligently and has worked honestly," she said.

Reach Melanie C. Johnson at 909-806-3069 or mjohnson@PE.com