Group plans Postmus recall launch

Proponents of a recall against disgraced San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus will file a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Friday at the Registrar's of Voters office, said Sam Clauder, spokesman for the San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee and a recall supporter.

 

A steering committee will be formed, campaign statements filed, and an account opened and managed under the supervision of an independent certified campaign accountant before petitions begin circulation.

 

A news conference will follow at 4 p.m., Clauder said.

Ten percent of San Bernardino County's registered voters must sign the petition to warrant a special election or to get a ballot on the Nov. 3 county special districts election.

 

As of Monday, Jan. 26, there were a reported 836,518 registered voters in San Bernardino County. That means 83,616 valid signatures are needed. At 72 percent validity, a total of  116,500 signatures would actually be needed, Clauder said.

 

Postmus has seven calendar days to respond to the notice of intent, then, recall proponents have up to 10 days thereafter to file the actual petition, Clauder said.

 

That would start the 160-day clock to gather the more than 100,000 signatures needed for the recall, Clauder said.

 

Postmus faces removal from office following his arrest earlier this month at his Rancho Cucamonga home on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. It occurred during the serving of a search warrant at his residence by investigators from the District Attorney's office, who are investigating allegations of cronyism and political malfeasance at the Assessor's office.

 

It came on the heels of a grand jury report last year criticizing Postmus for hiring unqualified staff, essentially his friends, and using his office to help fuel his political endeavors.