Recall of Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe Approved to Gather Signatures

On Thursday, signature gathering has been approved by the Antioch City Clerk in the effort to recall controversial Mayor Lamar Thorpe.

According to the Election Code, the required number of signatures is 9,511 (15% of the total registration). The deadline for signatures to be collected and submitted is May 11, 2022.

“This is bigger than anyone’s own personal views and the group of proponents and supporters are committed and have begun collecting the 9,511 signatures required to put the Recall of Lamar Thorpe on the ballot,” said recall proponent Kathy Cabrera.

Thorpe was originally submitted with his notice of intention to circulate a recall petition on September 24, however, Ellie Householder, city clerk, rejected the template on multiple occasions—she now potentially faces her own recall as she was served this week.

According to the Notice:

“To the Honorable Lamar Thorpe: Pursuant to Section 11020: California Election Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of Antioch, in the State of California, hereby give you notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal of office of Mayor, in Antioch, California, and to demand election of a successor in that office.

The grounds for this recall are as follows:

Disrespect for Council Members and the Public who disagree with you during City Council meetings. Blocking constituents and not allowing them to comment on your social media. You have failed to provide full support to the great men and women of the Antioch Police Department which is impeding their ability to keep our residents safe. As a result of your failed leadership it has led to the resignation of the Police Chief Tammany Brooks who will be taking up a new post in Boise, Idaho; and the announced retirement of Antioch City Manager Ron Bernal. You put on the council agenda to rescind the School Resource Officer Grant without any public input from the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) Board or Administration after the officers had been interviewed and selected. You mislead the public about when you were informed about the death of Angelo Quintos, when you had earlier received an email from Chief Brooks. You blamed business owners on Sycamore Drive for the crimes that are being committed by others that live nearby which does not reflect Antioch’s theme “Opportunity Lives Here”.

Carbrera also said she will follow all the rules and will have multiple signing events.

Signature gathering events planned

• Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Rivertown Sweets on 2nd Street & Rivertown Treasure Chest on G St
  
• Sunday, Dec. 5 at from10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Bluerock Starbucks *This will be a Drive Up Signing Event*

“I think looking at the state of the city, there was no other course of action but to move forward with a recall petition on Mayor Lamar Thorpe. This is bigger than my own personal views and there is a group of many other supporters ready to begin collecting signatures when we are allowed to,” explained Cathy Cabrera. “We will follow the recall process and let the citizens of Antioch’s voices be heard. We believe the residents of Antioch deserve better as too many good people both in city hall, residents and businesses leave under Mayor Thorpe’s tenure.”