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City Clerk
Lake Elsinore, City Council
Meeting October 27, 2009
Letter /submission into the official record Regarding John Burkett signature collector, in the
recall against Thomas Buckley.
Dear City Council;
My name is Susan Rebar I am a resident of the City of Lake Elsinore for more than 21 years.
I have seen phenomenal changes in our community. I moved here in 1988, when the 15
freeway killer was on the loose, there was a meth lab across the parking lot of the Jr. High,
that my son attended, and the fish kill was front page news.
I am grateful for the amazing changes that have occurred in our city and the challenges that
our leaders have overcome.
Our city is now faced with an economic crisis that is not of our own making, so the wise use
of city resources is an imperative.
This is why I am here today, regarding the recall of Thomas Buckley; the expenditure of
resources to finance the recall is simply a waste of money, in our already stretched
economy. The estimated costs of 30,000 to 50,000 to potentially shorten Mr. Buckley's
term by 10 months, is not the best use of city funds. Mr. Buckley is required to call for a
count and vote for any actions taken by the redevelopment committee of which he chairs.
He would have been required to do that for any land purchases. If the checks and balances
are in place then it is easy enough to see that this recall is unfounded.
I would suggest rather that a full investigation of John Burkett, be launched to investigate
his signature collection practices, prior to calling for any special election.
I have personal knowledge that Mr. Burkett from his own admission does not live within the
city limits. When Mr. Burkett came to my door to ask, for my signature, I was more
interested I n why he was motivated to gather signatures. As I had not previously met Mr.
Burkett, I asked him several questions, to determine his motivation.
1. Did he live in the City?
a. Response yes over by the Casino
2. How long had he lived in the City?
a. 18 years
His responses were funny to me in that there are no city residences by the Casino those
homes are Sedco Hills /Wildomar.
I asked several other questions, to which he became impatient and said that if I didn't want
to sign then he had better things to do and he huffed off.
The reason that I am standing on this issue is simply that this could be an assault against
any City Council Member, and there are no protections against such harassment. It is really
an assault against our city not just our City Leaders. If Mr. Burkett can do this for some
personal motivation, anyone can do it.
I would suggest that the City Council consider some form of protection against such actions
by placing a stipulation with full disclosure requiring that all Signature Collectors, be
required to show proof of residency at the onset of a recall or other type of petition
consideration within the city limits. Those limitations are placed on the candidates, why
not those who want to challenge our city and its leaders.
I could easily disqualify Mr. Burkett as a man with motivation other than the good of our
City and its Citizens, but I don't know how many other residents would be able to do the
same based on Mr. Burkett's sales style and tactics. He was very friendly and jovial until I
asked too many questions, then he was angry and frustrated, a bit intimidating I would say.
I live in an amazing city and often in my travels refer to myself as a Grandma from Lake
Elsinore; as our city has developed into a beauty nestled between the mountains, beside a
lake with a fare climate.
I don't like to use the word proud much as the implications are strong, and somewhat
boastful, so today I use the word to describe those things I am proud of: My Husband, My
Son, My Grandbaby, My Country and My City.
Let us not be harmed by the interests of an outsider; I respectfully request that you
preserve our beauty, and not let someone take away anymore of resources or even our
staff jobs, by this frivolity.
Respectfully submitted for the Record,
Susan Rebar Resident