News

By ANGELA POTTER STAFF WRITER

A group of Dana Point residents who say Mayor Diane Harkey failed the city announced their effort on Tuesday to recall her and throw a wrench into her campaign for State Assembly.

The group planned to serve Harkey with an intent to circulate recall petitions on Tuesday night at the City Council meeting, citing a “gross failure in ethics,” but Harkey called in sick. Jerry Grunor, part of the recall effort, said Harkey would be mailed the notice via certified mail on Thursday.
Harkey, reached by phone, described the recall effort as “unbelievable” and said she had acted honorably during her time in office.

“It’s laughable,” she said. “There’s always malcontent, that’s just standard. But I think the people of this city are very, very happy as evidenced by the lack of attendance at council meetings.”

Once the notice is verified by city officials, the group will have four months to gather the almost 4,600 signatures necessary to get the recall on the ballot.

Resident Jerry Grunor said Harkey acted unethically on such issues as the development of Town Center and the Doheny House project. Harkey was unable to vote on Town Center due to a potential conflict of interest. Her husband owns real estate in the area.

Despite not voting, Grunor said Harkey spoke for 20 minutes as a member of the public on Town Center.
“What she has done is not in good taste nor does it show honesty or integrity,” Grunor said. “This is a bad example of leadership in any city, especially for our children and the leaders of tomorrow. We need to have good, ethical people with a solitary desire to serve our city and who will always show honesty and integrity through leadership in a more forthright manner.”

After being elected to the City Council in 2004, Harkey made an unsuccessful bid for state senate. She is currently running for Assemblywoman Mimi Walters’ seat, with Walters’ endorsement.

CONTACT THE WRITER:
    949-492-0752 or
    apotter@ocregister.com