Notice to recall Councilman Kendle filed
Recall committee needs over 2,000 signatures to move forward
A Notice of Intention to recall Councilman Jesse Kendle from his four-year seat on the Asbury Park City Council has been filed with the municipal clerk’s office.
In a Jan. 29 letter to recall petitioners Duane Small, Mabin Womble, and Brian Bass – who comprise the Committee to recall Kendle — the city determined the notice complied with state Recall Law requirements adopted May 1995. The next step would be for recall proponents to get sufficient signatures of voters — 2,175 based on the voter registration figures — to get the recall on the ballot.
Kendle said he has been advised not to comment on the matter.
Mayor John Moor said at this point in time there are too many unanswered question as it pertains to the committee’s intention to recall Kendle and as to who the committee would put forth to run against Kendle.
“I ran with Jesse and at this point and time there is no reason for me not to support him,” Moor said.
The recall petition seeks a special election, which according to the Monmouth County Board of Elections, would come at an approximate cost of $25,000.
Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon said no statement or reason is needed for a recall election but there are guidelines preventing a recall within 6 months of an elected official’s bid for reelection. Recall laws also limit such action until an elected official has served one year.
Hanlon said if a recall election is conducted during a general election then there would be no cost to taxpayers but if a special election is conducted then the Monmouth County Board of Elections estimated $25,000 cost would apply.
The committee now needs to acquire 25 percent of all the city’s registered voters at the time of the last general election in order for the recall election to move forward, Hanlon said.
The Recall Committee can opt to provide no more than a 200 word statement of reason for the recall. Kendle would then have the opportunity to provide a rebuttal that would be included on any petition the Committee circulates, Hanlon said.
As of the 2015 general election, Asbury Park has an estimated 8,700 registered voters, according to a state Division of Elections. This would mean the Recall Committee needs to garner 2,175 signatures based on that voter registration figure.
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