MISSION VIEJO : Recall Proponents Back Out of Debate

Proponents of a recall movement against City Councilman Robert A. Curtis have backed out of a scheduled debate against the councilman.

Helen Monroe, leader of the Alliance for Mission Viejo, said Monday the pro-recall group wasn’t able to find anyone who could speak against Curtis at the 8 a.m. weekday meeting of the Saddleback Valley Board of Realtors.

“We all have jobs,” said Monroe. “We can’t meet that kind of schedule. It’s too bad, but we don’t have anyone that’s free in the morning.”

Instead, Curtis will be the sole speaker at the Feb. 8 meeting.

“It’s much more enjoyable to discuss the issues, real and imagined, instead of shadow-boxing,” Curtis said.

The canceled debate would have been the second between Curtis and the Alliance for Mission Viejo. There are no other speaking events for either side taking place before the Feb. 27 special election.

Pro-recall forces are trying to unseat the councilman for his attempt to annex Aegean Hills, a 7,000-person community neighboring Mission Viejo. Curtis has said the real force behind the recall attempt is property developers, who have contributed more than $168,000 during the campaign.