NOGARES, Ariz. (KVOA) – A petition has been filed with the Elections Bureau seeking to recall Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway.
The petition was submitted by the current chairman of Santa Cruz County Republican Dandering, a former volunteer with the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue squad.
Dellinges must obtain 4,567 valid signatures by July 2nd for a successful recall.
Dellinges told News 4 Tucson that he felt it was necessary to try and remove Hathaway after several different issues he saw in leadership.
He believes he was let go of the search and rescue team in December to appear in a photo with Hathaway political opponent Mario Morales during the November election.
“If you were in this picture with Mario, you were supporting Mario, who was being retaliated for supporting Mario over Sheriff Hathaway,” Deringis said.
These claims are being contested by the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Director Gerald Castillo said the decision to eliminate multiple volunteers, including Deringe, was due to the lack of up-to-date training for the department and some members.
Dellinges does not buy descriptions.
He also noted that Sheriff Hathway was involved in the trial of George Allan Kelly. The George Allan Kelly trial is a famous case of a rancher charged with murder after the UN documented body of a migrant was found in his support.
The case ended with fraud. Sheriff Hathaway went to Mexico and raised questions to key witnesses. Deringis believes it is inappropriate and suspicious.
He also has problems with the sheriff’s recent decision to withdraw Operation Stone Garden, a federal program that allows lawmakers to work overtime by helping them patrol the border.
In an interview with the Dellinges, he was joined by former chief Mario Morales, who ran against Hathaway during the general election.
“A lot of people move forward saying I don’t like his leadership,” Morales said.
Morales hopes that he will become sheriff once the recall is successful and the special election begins.
“When he gets recalled, he will be advised about the recall. If he doesn’t resign, it will go to a special election and hopefully he and I can go to the toes with their toes,” he said.
Morales and Dellings said they are confident they can get the signature they need. In fact, they believe they get more than they need to.
“I think that’s possible because over 4,000 registered voters from Santa Cruz County voted and voted for Trump during the general election,” Dellinges said. “It has become clear to me that something fundamentally broken in our county. You can’t coco like this, you have to ask yourself what your ultimate goal is here.”
News4 Tucson gave the sheriff the same opportunity to interview Hathaway and instead sent a written statement.
“I respect all aspects of the political process. I will wait for the filer (the Republican chair) to see if he can get the required number of valid signatures.”
Morales and Dellingis said they were already bumping into the streets seeking signature.
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