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Campaign To Recall Oakland Mayor Quan Begins Gathering Signatures

OAKLAND (KCBS) – Members of the campaign to have Oakland Mayor Jean Quan recalled have started their petition drive by gathering signatures on Tuesday.

The group set up in front of the Lakeshore Avenue Trader Joe's on Tuesday, collecting hundreds of signatures from disgruntled Oakland residents. Last week, Oakland's city clerk approved the recall petition.

Ken Pratt, an executive member of the committee, said they will be out every day gathering the nearly 20,000 signatures needed to recall Quan.

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

"The main reason we want her out is a lack of transparency," said Pratt. "She's incompetent. She's good at photo-ops, but she's not good at getting results."

Late last week, Quan called the effort "divisive, expensive and distracting" and is prepared to fight for her job.

Retired school teacher Pauline Smith is among those declining to sign the petition.

"She hasn't been in office long enough to prove herself," said Smith. "I think she'll do well if given the opportunity."

The recall campaign has until May 14, 2012 to collect nearly 20,000 valid signatures.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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