VENTURA : Recall Petition Drive Could Begin Soon

As early as this weekend, Ventura residents could begin circulating petitions to recall Councilwoman Rosa Lee Measures, a resident who is organizing the recall drive said Friday.

East county homeowner Elaina Fletcher in August began her effort to oust Measures from office, claiming the council member abused the public trust by backing a development proposal by friend and business associate Ron Hertel.

Hertel wanted to give the city 94 acres south of California 126 and $2 million toward building a regional park at the site, in exchange for permission to build 437 residences on a city-owned lemon orchard at Telegraph Road and Petit Avenue.

Measures supported the proposal, but later found she had a conflict of interest because she owned a share in property situated within 2,500 feet of the proposed park site.

Fletcher argues that Measures should not have lobbied for Hertel’s park-swap proposal because of the conflict of interest.

Fletcher said she is relieved to finally have the petitions approved by the city clerk. She said she and other residents will begin circulating the petitions by mid-week at the latest.

“The real work starts now,” she said.

Fletcher has up to 160 days to collect 8,589 signatures--the amount needed to call a special election on the recall.

Measures was not available for comment.