This California town booted out its leaders – what happens if they refuse to leave?

Avenal has been rocked by the council’s refusal to accept the results of a recall election – and the repercussions extend far beyond the Central Valley F rom the outside, the city of Avenal appears to embody every bit of its motto – an “oasis in the sun”. Approaching the community, passing through the dusty yellow hillsides of the Central Valley, Avenal emerges with a sudden burst of green on the horizon. Its small-town feel and quiet tree-lined streets offer respite from the bustling Interstate 5 some five miles away. But trouble is brewing here that has brought this lonesome city national attention. In April, voters in the city of 13,500 people recalled four of five city council members, in what recall organizers said was a first in California .

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open The Guardian World ↗