RIVERSIDE, CA. Desert Local News • October 4, 2009
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Supervisor Marion Ashley Facing Possible Recall From Citizens BY LESLIE ANDREWS EXCLUSIVE- Two term Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley is facing a possible recall from a group in Western Riverside County that accuses him of siding with special interests. Desert Local News speaks exclusively to Ann Weston, Project Coordinator of BootThemOut. net and the Committee Supporting The Recall Of Supervisor Ashley and asks the questions, why. Weston explains that Ashley, 74, is not balancing jobs with construction efforts, thus is why Riverside County’s unemployment rate is so high. She says, “He’s been designated as a special interest politician. As a result, we are the highest in the state when it comes to unemployment. Only 12 percent in the Inland Empire thought that the area was going well in the way it was being handled. Public documents show that property values are going down.” Weston also explains, as she has also told the Press Enterprise and The Californian that this group is opposed to a proposed paramilitary training center being built in the Western part of Riverside County, near rural neighborhoods in Perris and in Hemet. She adds, “It was placed in that area, which is residential agricultural area. The planning department said we cannot support nor approve it. Nothing allows private police training. The zoning was never changed. They’re going to have planes that are for training. They don’t know if they will launch landmines and grenades. It was next to a church retreat that has been there for 20 years.” Despite objections from the planning departments, the Board of Supervisors approved the site plans, according to reports. Ashley, who was first elected in 2002, faces reelection in 2010. The group which wishes to remove Ashley from office sooner, could pave the way for a June 2010 election. At least 14,708 signatures will be needed to plan this recall election
and so far, about $1000 has been spent in efforts by the group. “It’s hard to sit by and not do anything. I don’t like to see people stepped on. Our democracy is falling apart,” Weston stated. Desert Local News spoke to two other citizens from the Western end of Riverside County, who believe Ashley should be recalled for other reasons. Garry Grant, a resident of Meadowbrook, which is an unincorporated area of the county, argued that Ashley simply doesn’t care about the lower class. “We believe that he is not for the interest of the general public but for the private developers. We’re a rural distinction and we’re fighting a losing battle. We’re in an economic downfall that doesn’t have a bottom,” he says. According to reports from the Press Enterprise, Riverside County has a 13% poverty rate. Grant added, “We do know there is a high percentage of unemployed. We had our sole direction of commerce was in the building industry.” As to who would take Ashley’s place, Grant reports that there are several other people willing to run for his position if recalled. “There are several people interested in doing so. The person we would vote for would follow the laws of democracy and the constitution. We feel we’re being used, abused and otherwise,” he concluded. Robert Carver Newman II, another resident of Ashley’s district, also claims that he has done little or nothing to help those in need. He states, “I think that it’s appropriate that he’s recalled and replaced with someone else who is more responsive to the constituents. I’ve had experience with him directly, but the major issue relates to the lack of sympathy with a former neighbor of mine.” In this case, Newman discussed how an elderly couple were unable to deal with a property that they owned that had some code enforcement violations. There were
four offers to buy the land at full price, but all fell through when they realized the number of violations involved with the property. Newman added, “When one sets aside humanity for gain or status of recognition, the person has violated the principal of which I live. We’re supposed to be dealing with people, and that’s what bothers me. An elected official serves the needs of individuals. That’s my philosophy.” Ashley sent a message to Desert Local News, stating that all accusations against him are truly false. He said, “Anybody who looks at this petition to sign it ought to be cautioned. This petition was made up by special interest groups and it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars. It will cost Riverside County $400,000. This is a deceptive petition and an abuse of the recall process.” Ashley adds that those who are behind the petition have a very narrow political agenda of their own. And that hosting such a recall effort will take away tax money that is needed to maintain public safety and other basic county services. He continued, “The frivolous claims regarding me are false and misleading. I have worked with groups to improve our quality of life.” In regards to what Weston believed was a paramilitary training ground, Ashley stated that this was a public safety training ground that was approved by the community council of Harvest Valley, which is the affected area. Also, it has been endorsed by the past and current Sheriff. Ashley’s district serves the cities of Perris, Moreno Valley, Hemet all the way to Desert Hot Springs and the northern portion of Palm Springs. Since the passing of Supervisor Roy Wilson, Ashley has temporary control of his district, which stretches from the Coachella Valley to Blythe.