Point Arena's three remaining council members face recall

Point Arena's embattled city council will be the focus of a special summertime election aimed at tossing its three current members from office.

The council Tuesday night approved holding a recall election after being notified by the county elections office that a sufficient number of signatures had been gathered.

"The recall marches forward," said Point Arena Mayor Lauren Sinnott, a primary target of the recall.

The recall petitioners collected 105 signatures against Sinnott; 102 against Councilman Joe Riboli; 102 against Councilman David Ingham; and 87 against Councilwoman Eloisa Oropeza. She has since resigned, along with her husband, former Mayor Terry Hughey, the only one who was not targeted by the recall petition.

The recall petitioners needed 74 signatures - 30 percent of the city's 244 voters - for each of the recall subjects.

Oropeza's recent resignation creates a new predicament that is expected to force the city to hold another special election. Two of the remaining three members were appointed to fill prior resignations, and council regulations state that a majority of the council cannot be appointed, Sinnott said.

Oropeza blames her resignation on a bitter recall campaign that has divided the city of about 450. She said she's been subjected to racial slurs and threats.

Council members say the recall is based on false allegations that include claims they're self serving, rude and pro-development.

Recall advocate Richard Wasserman, a former council member, said the biggest issue for him is that the council doesn't seem to care about its constituents and treats them disrespectfully.

"They're not listening," he said.

The special election is expected to cost the city - which has a $1.5 million budget and eight employees - about $5,000. Prospective opposition candidates have not yet filed to run for council seats. Council members are paid $75 a month and the mayor is paid $100 a month.

To save costs, county officials hope to schedule the recall election for August 30, when a special district election also could be held.