Poway District 2 voters to decide whether to recall Councilmember Tony Blain

Voters in Poway’s District 2 will decide if City Councilmember Tony Blain should be recalled in a Nov. 4 special municipal election.

The Recall Tony Blain effort is being led by former council members Anita Edmondson and John Mullin in addition to local businessman John Couvrette.

The recall committee has made several allegations against Blain related to public records, bullying and harassment. In addition, Blain, who was elected to office last November, has been under investigation by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and has been censured twice by the council.

“His constant harassment of those who disagree with him has resulted in an ongoing investigation by the District Attorney’s office, threatened lawsuits by the Poway city manager and city attorney as a result of the harassment, continued abuse of public records requests digging for dirt against his own manufactured opponents, threats against private citizens that have resulted in complaints filed with the Sheriff’s Department, along with many other adversarial attacks that can easily be found through a Google search,” Couvrette said in an email.

Blain has said he ran for the City Council to be a voice for “everyday people” after he saw a need for transparency and accountability. The recall effort is not about wrongdoing, but about his efforts to speak up and challenge the status quo, he has said.

On the ballot, Blain has no written rebuttal stating his opposition to the recall.

A simple majority is needed to pass the measure, which means the recall will be approved if more than half of the voters support it, according to recall organizers.

Also on the statewide special election is Proposition 50, an amendment to the state Constitution related to redistricting.

In August, the Poway City Council unanimously approved, with Blain abstaining, to spend up to $305,000 to hold a special municipal election for the recall.

Couvrette said Blain’s behavior since he was seated in December has consistently demonstrated he is “unfit to hold public office.”

He said he receives two to four emails a month from Blain that are harassing or threatening in nature, either to himself or other residents of the community.

“His decision of continued irrational behavior confirms the resolve of those who have worked on the recall campaign and those who have supported the recall campaign,” Couvrette said.

The recall question qualified for the ballot with more than the minimum 2,425 voters indicating on a petition that they want a recall election. The number reflects a threshold of at least 25% of registered voters in District 2.

The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 through Monday, Nov. 3, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. All voters are also mailed a ballot that can be returned by mail or dropped off at ballot drop boxes or at the polls.

Ballot drop boxes are located at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, and at the Poway Fire Station 2 at 16912 Westling Court. Hours vary at the library’s ballot drop boxes but the fire station boxes are open 24 hours.

The mail-in ballot should be mailed no later than Tuesday, Oct. 28 to ensure timely delivery. It must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county Registrar of Voters no later than the Tuesday after Election Day, officials said.

For more information, visit sdvote.com.