Recalls, lawsuits and investigations: Political turmoil is taking over in Poway
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The political turmoil overtaking Poway is showing no signs of slowing.
State of play: The normally quiet suburb is currently home to dueling efforts to recall elected officials, outside investigations into perceived threats and a state procedure before the attorney general aiming to overturn a recent council appointment.
The latest: Last week, Poway lawyers argued the January appointment of Council Member Christopher Pikus was lawful, and an attempt to sue the city to force his removal was based on inaccurate information.
- Former Council Member Brian Pepin, who had left his Poway residence, was still eligible to vote for his replacement under state legal precedent because he had not yet established a new residence, the city argued.
- Hiram Soto, who ran for council in 2022, will respond to the city's filing next week, before the attorney general determines whether the lawsuit challenging Pikus' seat goes forward.
The latest: John Mullin, a former Poway council member, also announced during last week's meeting that he is part of a group seeking to recall Council Member Tony Blain, who won his seat in November.
- Mullin told Axios they'll submit their "notice of intent" to recall, along with the required 60 signatures in support, next week since Blain can't be recalled until 90 days after he was sworn in.
- That will kick off the process of gathering another 2,500 or so signatures to force a recall vote.
Flashback: In January, Blain was accused of breaking state law over threats and vote trading attempts sent to another council member ahead of the Pikus appointment vote.
- The council later censured him over those and other threats — and the city has since hired an independent investigator to look into the accusations against Blain, and counter allegations he made alleging harassment by city staff.
What's next: Blain told Axios that he intends to launch his own recall effort against Mayor Steve Vaus next month.
- He also alleges that the city attorney is looking to remove him from the council over meetings he will have to attend remotely due to an upcoming 90-day deployment for the Army Reserves.