POMONA : Registrar Counting Soto Recall Petitions

Pomona City Councilwoman Nel Soto could face a recall election this year if the county registrar validates enough of the 1,648 signatures handed in to City Hall last week on recall petitions.

The Recall Soto Committee, led by teacher and community activist Bob Jackson, needs 1,440 valid signatures--equal to 25% of the registered voters in Soto’s District 1.

Jackson, whom Soto defeated in the 1991 District 1 council race, alleges that Soto, through acceptance of campaign contributions, has sold out to special interests such as the billboard industry. Jackson and his group also allege that Soto has misappropriated some of her election campaign funds, using money to pay for work on her house.

Soto, who says she’s done nothing illegal in spending or accepting campaign contributions, argues that Jackson is simply a sore loser who’s trying to tarnish her reputation in an effort to get elected.