LAKE COUNTY — Signature-gatherers for the petition to recall Sheriff Frank Rivero are almost halfway to their goal a month into their collection drive, according to the latest estimate from the group behind the attempt to oust the polarizing lawman.
“Everyone continues to support this extremely important effort, to give the voters of Lake County the voice in this matter,” Chris Rivera, spokesman for the Committee to Restore Integrity, said Thursday. “Signatures continue to be gathered at a steady pace.”
Rivera, a retired Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) sergeant, said the committee has collected more than 3,400 signatures, with an exact count still pending.
The group would need to get the names of at least 7,026 registered county voters if they hope to have their recall bid qualify for an election ballot.
The recall proponents argue Rivero, who started his first term in January 2011, should be removed from office because of unethical behavior, dishonesty, alienating other agencies, failing to follow through on campaign promises and dishonoring the sheriff”s department.
The sheriff, whose term is set to expire in 2015, contends the recall effort is based on lies and misinformation.
The proponents announced their intent to pursue a recall petition in mid-March, in the wake of District Attorney Don Anderson determining in February that Rivero lied to investigators after a 2008 on-duty shooting that occurred when Rivero was an LCSO deputy — an allegation the sheriff denies.
“This committee is dedicated to giving the good people of Lake County a voice and do something about the insanity,” Rivera said Thursday.
The signature-collection drive has been going on since April 17, when election officials gave the group permission to circulate the petition. The proponents hope to gather the necessary names by June 17 — the deadline to qualify for November”s regular election.
The committee will focus its efforts on the Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake areas this coming weekend, according to Rivera. No locations were specified.
In order to increase its output, the group has now decided to use paid signature-gatherers, according to Rivera. To learn more about the paid effort, email contact@recallrivero.com or call 671-5569.
For more information, visit www.recallrivero.com, go to the “Recall Rivero” Facebook page or call 671-5569.
