Recall Drive For Sheriff Apparently Falls Short Early Count Has Petition Lacking About 700 Signatures

Latah County residents seeking to oust Sheriff Joseph Overstreet apparently have failed to gather the signatures needed to force a recall election.

A total of 4,504 registered voters needed to sign petitions turned in by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline. But Latah County Clerk-Auditor Susan Petersen said an unofficial review indicated no more than 3,780 signatures were collected.

Recall organizer Janice Pitkin all but conceded defeat.

“The only thing I can say is that we gave it our best shot,” she said.

Overstreet, contacted in Kentucky where he is caring for his ailing father, declined comment on the petitions pending an official determination.

“But obviously there are some people who don’t have confidence in what I’m doing,” Overstreet said. “I would like to invite them again to come and see what’s going on in the sheriff’s department, or call me and I’d be glad to meet with them to address specific concerns.”

In the sheriff’s absence, his wife, Darleene Overstreet, showed up at the county courthouse Monday to confront recall supporters as they turned in the petitions.

“I just wanted to meet you and find out what drives this,” Darleene Overstreet said to Pitkin.

“I feel sorry for your husband,” Pitkin replied, and said turnover in the sheriff’s office prompted the recall effort.

The two women then argued openly in front of courthouse employees and were asked to leave the auditor’s office. Other recall supporters joined Pitkin in the hallway and exchanged words with Darleene Overstreet.

“You’re so vague,” Darleene Overstreet shouted at recall supporters.

She said her husband had tried to talk with members of the recall group about their complaints, but had been denied the opportunity.

Pitkin expressed concern last week that the effort might fall short and made a last-ditch attempt to gather signatures during the weekend and Monday.