Pete Barreda, chair of the Committee to Recall William Shearon, said March 9 he had collected about 80 of the 115 signatures he needs to meet an April 6 deadline to proceed to the next step to recall the mayor from office.
Barreda previously said the recall effort was an attempt to bring a sense of normalcy to the city.
And the mayor has made some positive accomplishments in recent weeks, including the re-opening of the city pier, renovated with matching funds from Manatee County and the initiation of global settlement talks among the parties involved in four lawsuits against the city.
Asked if Shearon’s global settlement plan would move the city closer to a point where recall would not be necessary, he said he has been following the news of the lawsuit settlements.
However, he answered, “We’re going to continue forward. We’ve come this far.”
Barreda has proceeded to collect more than the required 100 signatures in the first stage of the recall. Those who signed the first petition are allowed to sign anew.
If collected, the signatures on petitions — 15 percent of the city’s 763 eligible voters – would be submitted to the city clerk.
The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections would then have 30 days to verify the new petitions. If enough signatures are valid, the clerk would inform the mayor and commission to that effect.
Shearon would then have a five-day period in which he could resign, after which the commission would fill his seat. If he chooses not to resign, the chief judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court would set the date for a recall election, to be held within 30-60 days.
Shearon, who has less than eight months remaining in his two-year mayoral term, was elected at-large. According to state law, candidates to succeed him must face off for his unexpired term on the ballot with the recall polling. And Shearon would be eligible to run on the ballot to attempt to regain his office.
Shearon, also the target of a forfeiture of office effort by Vice Mayor Clarke, said he intends to be a candidate on the recall ballot.
He also has filed with the SOE to run for re-election in November, whether he is recalled or not.