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Effort to recall Kendall fizzles
By ALEX LEARY, Times Staff Writer
CRYSTAL RIVER -- Eight people withdrew their support for the recall of City Council member John Kendall on Tuesday, dropping the number of signed petitions below 330 and bringing an unofficial end to the recall effort. But the woman who organized the petition declared victory nonetheless, saying the endeavor awakened a broad array of residents to the troubles in their government. She also accused the city clerk of delaying the process and Kendall and his allies of using harassment to win support. "There is some dirty pool going on," Brendalee Combrink said, using the same words one of Kendall's supporters had Monday in claiming Combrink and others spread lies about Kendall since the recall campaign began in late August. Combrink was more confident last week when she dropped off 359 petitions at City Hall, 29 more than needed to meet the requirements of state law. "Merry Christmas, Crystal River," she said. Over the next few days, however, City Clerk Louise Berube discovered several problems with the petitions. On Monday, Berube said 28 could be disqualified for various reasons. Twelve, for example, were from people who live outside city limits. One other person had asked that his petition be withdrawn. That left 330 -- the bare minimum. The additional eight names submitted Tuesday dropped the tally to 322. Berube said she planned to send the petitions to the Supervisor of Elections Office, which conducts the official review, on Thursday. Why not earlier, Combrink asked, implying the delay was intended to help Kendall. Berube said she returned to work the day after Christmas and has had other work as well. City Hall is closed today for the holiday. The Supervisor of Elections Office has 30 days to review the petitions, so Kendall could wait a while before learning the final count. "If this stands that it's defeated, it's been resolved without a lot of legal costs for the taxpayers," Kendall said. He had planned to challenge the recall in court if it proceeded to the next step: a special ballot asking voters whether he should be removed from office. Kendall, backed by the city attorney, said the petition lacked specific proof of wrongdoing. He may have been eligible to recover legal costs from the city if he prevailed in court. One of the people who rescinded his support for the recall, Gary Lewis, said he did so for that reason, not because he supported the council member. Lewis also said Kendall could be removed during a regular election. A faster way, however, would be the recall petition, which seeks to remove Kendall on the grounds of misfeasance and incompetence. It asserts that Kendall launched "unfounded attacks" against various city officials, including the police chief, and violated a charter provision that bars dealing with officials except through the city manager. "By his actions and statements he has proven to be injurious to the city of Crystal River and its residents," the petition reads. The 74-year-old Kendall, who is in the second year of a three-year term, denies he abused his power. He said his detractors have used misinformation to gain support for the recall, specifically that he wants to do away with the Police Department and was the reason former City Manager Phil Lilly resigned. "This was just untrue," Kendall said of the claims. Even if the recall falls short, a large number of residents apparently wanted to see Kendall removed, a point Combrink emphasized Tuesday. Asked whether it was a referendum of sorts, Kendall said he did not think so. "I feel most people signed the petition under duress and misinformation," Kendall said. But he added: "In political life, you are going to have people who don't necessarily agree with you. If there are people who disagree with me, I can respect that." -- Alex Leary can be reached at (352) 564-3623 or leary@sptimes.com .
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