The Chester Citizens Advisory Group, seeking to recall the Chester Public Utility Board members amid the turmoil of Chester’s Fire Department, convened in an evening meeting yesterday to discuss progress on the now county-certified recall petitions. The petitions seek approval to recall CPUD board members Steve Graffweg, Kimberly Green, Arthur Tharpe, and Steve Voboril.
The group alleges that the current board has engaged in gross mismanagement and hindered the community’s provision of first responder services. The recall petitions, submitted to the county in early February, underwent a 10-day review period and are now available for signatures.
The group plans to meet tomorrow to strategize the next steps, recruit volunteers to circulate the petitions and gather signatures. Those leading the recall effort face the task of collecting 346.
Board member Voboril, also the CPUD vice chair, has dismissed the recall allegations in a statement to the Plumas Sun, citing it as a “gross distortion and unsubstantiated complaint” by the initiator of the recall petition. Voboril contends that the special May election provides the public with the opportunity to shape the fire department’s future direction.
According to the secretary of state recal procedures, if enough signatures are gathered the petition will head to the elections office, which will check and accept the petition, verifying each signature. If sufficient, the governing body must order a recall election within 14 days, or the county elections official sets the date if they fail to do so. The election occurs within 88-125 days after the order, with a potential consolidation within 180 days.
