Recall Bid Boosted By Ruling Adams County Group Can Begin Collecting Signatures
Sponsors of a recall effort against Adams County Prosecutor David Sandhaus won a victory Wednesday when a visiting judge said they can move forward and collect voter signatures.
Visiting Asotin County Judge John Lyden ruled after a two-hour hearing in Ritzville that sponsors had cited three specific areas that potentially could be considered basis for a recall.
Sandhaus, who’s been locked in a bitter feud with Adams County commissioners for more than a year, said he would appeal that ruling to the state Supreme Court.
“It’s ridiculous and we’re moving very quickly to file our appeal,” said Sandhaus.
Once filed, the Supreme Court would make a decision within 30 days.
Sandhaus said the Supreme Court usually rules against most recall petitions.
In 1996, the court quashed a Spokane County voter effort to recall Coroner Dexter Amend.
Sandhaus clashed with commissioners throughout 1996. They claim he’s overspent his budget and done a poor job as prosecutor.
Sandhaus said commissioners and other officials don’t like the way he’s challenged a good-old-boys network that’s existed in Adams County for years.
The recall effort started in July after several county residents claimed Sandhaus had overspent his budget, failed to do legal work for the county and did not post a required performance bond.
Affidavits supporting those charges were filed by Commissioner Shawn Logan, Assessor Jerry Crossler and former Auditor Leon Long.
Sandhaus insists those charges are bogus. “In fact, my department last year had a surplus but because one budget line was in the red, they’ve created this allegation,” he said.
If Sandhaus loses the appeal, recall sponsors have until May 1998 to gather valid signatures that must be certified by the Adams County auditor.
State law says sponsors need to get 35 percent of the number of voters who cast ballots in the 1994 prosecutor’s election.
Sandhaus’ four-year job is up for re-election in November 1998.
, DataTimes