CITY DESK - Disaffected recall supporters scattered into the sunset after Fresno County Elections Department announced late Tuesday afternoon that the Recall Petition may have been insufficient in the amount of 3,200 legal signatures and will not force a November 3rd recall of mayor Jim Patterson.
Mayor Patterson told reporters after the announcement by the Elections Clerk that well over 90% of the registered voters in the City would not sign the petition.
The recall move by dissident developers came to the attention of Fresno Police after charges of voter fraud when a large number of invalid signatures were discovered.
Although the recall proponents turned in 34,000 signatures, Monday. The petition came up 3,200 short.
The recall campaign has been cited for its deceptive tactics in obtaining some signatures under false pretenses. Many of the signatures submitted on recall petition forms appeared to have been collected from persons who are not even residents of the City of Fresno.
In addition to irregularities connected with recall petition signatures, the petition leveled a series of improbable charges at mayor Patterson. The
harsh and unwarranted accusations against the mayor turned-away most registered voters in Fresno. Most doubted the credibility of recall arguments coming from a group of dissident developers and sub contractors doing business with the City. Under mayor Patterson, City contracts with developers and subcontractors are now subject to a new internal audit in order to bring operating costs within strict budget guidelines.
Mayor Patterson's vision for a revived Fresno economy and his proposals to stimulate economic development, show his talent for leadership and for selecting the talent City Hall needs in Fresno City's CEO, Jeff Reid.
Things are looking up for Fresno. The GAP has come to Fresno. Crime on Fresno streets is down. Car thefts are dropping. Taxpayers are beginning to believe in City Hall as its new Web site brings the community inside. Citizens of Fresno are contacting mayor
Patterson at the new City Hall Internet Site. Patterson is a winner.
Patterson opposed the wasting of $8.5 million of public funds. The City Council, however, ignored the mayor, and voted the $8.5 million gift to the Fresno Diamond Group for a downtown baseball stadium. The Diamond Group has insufficient assets to qualify for traditional financing with local banks, apparently.
The dissidents cited Patterson's opposition to the $8.5 million gift as justification for recalling the mayor. Dissidents also criticized mayor Patterson for opposing free-wheeling use of City Hall's condemnation powers to clear the way for a City Hall take over of numerous private business and residence property in the path of the so-called 'Roeding Business Park' debacle proposed by City Council member Dan Ronquillo of District 3.
Principals who were financing the aborted recall fiasco were Clinton Howe owner of Howe Electric, and Richie Ross, Sacramento political consultant. Howe and Ross could not be reached on Tuesday for comment.
