Siegel Recall effort falls short as May 5 deadline arrives without the 2,300 signatures needed

Dart said the Recall Committee is leaving open the option to attempt another recall at some point in the future. She indicated that she and others will work to get councilmember John Gordon, whom they consider an ally of Siegel, booted out of office in November’s election.

“We will do it again if we have to,” said Dart. “My hopes now are that John Gordon is defeated and we get somebody that sees the government as the community.”

According to recall organizers, Siegel was a visible fixture at several signature gathering locations including the post office and Save Mart. Local recall organizer Jane Dart, on several occasions complained of Siegel’s harassing her and potential recall signers, a concerted effort, she said to scare off potential supporters.

“I think it had a big effect, said Dart of Siegel’s antics. “People would walk away rather than deal with hm. People would just leave.”

Dart said the volunteers who collected signatures worked hard. “The requirement was almost achieved but not quite, despite harassment by Mr. Siegel on numerous occasions at various signature gathering locations,” she said.  “Those who did not sign were, for the most part, enthusiastic in their support to oust the mayor for his poor leadership, bad judgment and inappropriate behavior.  Some of the reasons given by those who did not sign were that they were afraid of retaliation and bullying.”

Dart told The Leader that all signature forms that have been collected will be destroyed and not turned in to the city to protect the privacy of the signers and preclude any attempt at retaliation.