College trustee recall proponents turn in signatures

Supporters of recalling Yuba Community College District Trustee Jim Buchan turned in petitions signed by 7,524 citizens to the Sutter County Elections office Tuesday, organizer Teresa Dorantes-Basile says.

"I am so elated," said Dorantes-Basile, president of the California School Employees Association at the college district.

Recall backers link their attempt to Buchan's support in January for a $30,000 raise for the college district chancellor. Trustees later rescinded the salary increase.

The elections office has 30 days to verify the signatures.

Recall supporters filed a notice in February with the Sutter County Elections Office of plans to circulate petitions to recall Buchan. The four-month period to collect 7,051 valid signatures began March 24, the elections office had said.

Signers have to be registered voters within the district Buchan represents, which covers Sutter County excluding Live Oak. About 100 residents of Placer County are also in the district, Buchan said.

Yuba City resident Buchan, 76, who is president of the board of trustees, began as a trustee in 1999. His term expires in 2012.

"I'm sorry so many —7,500 people — are misinformed," he said.

The recall slogan is "Save Yuba College," Buchan noted.

But the college district faces a state-imposed ceiling on the number of students it can serve, the trustee said, along with a reduction in finances.

"It's not going to save Yuba College," Buchan said of his attempted recall.

Moreover, he noted if the petitions lack the required 7,051 valid signatures of registered voters the recall effort dies.

"They can't go out again," Buchan said.

Supporters of the recall try packed into part of the Round Table Pizza restaurant in Marysville to begin organizing the effort in April.

CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com.