Recall Campaign Launched Against San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Sam Allevato

Originally posted at 8:42 p.m. Sept. 17, 2013.

A group of locals calling themselves Residents for Honest Government served recall papers on San Juan Capistrano City Councilman Sam Allevato during tonight’s council meeting.

Allevato was re-elected to office in November. He was first elected to the council in 2004 and is the longest currently-seated councilmember.

Clint Worthington, a regular council critic who also was part of a group of taxpayers who successfully sued the city over the way it charges for water, was front and center on this effort as well.

The lawsuit – in which an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled the city’s tiered-rate billing system violates the state Constitution – was a big reason behind the recall, Worthington said. The city is currently appealing the decision and sending out bills as always.

The recall notice, the text of which is published at the group’s blogsite, takes issue with appealing the court decision. Worthington read it as part of the open comments portion of the council’s agenda.

“Councilman Allevato insists on wasting taxpayer money by voting to appeal the court decision. His refusal to follow the law has cost the taxpayers approximately $500,000 dollars in attorney fees and court costs,” he said.

Worthington said Allevato was officially served notice of the recall attempt by mail, but presented Allevato with a petition of 30 signatures supporting the recall.

Meanwhile, the chamber was filled with Allevato’s supporters, holding signs saying that they “Stand with Sam.”

Allevato addressed Worthington’s comments, saying he is not afraid, although he laments the $100,000 cost the city will have to bear for a special election and the drama of a campaign after being re-elected just a year ago.

RELATED: 

• Who's Supporting a Proposed Recall of Councilman Allevato?
• Allevato's Supporters Speak Out at City Council Meeting