Staff Writer

An effort to recall three Arundel selectmen, including one who was arrested in June for alleged drug trafficking, has fizzled.

Daren Keller, who started the petition, said July 14 he would stop collecting signatures.

“Quite frankly I am tired and disgusted with the dirty politics in Arundel and after discussion with my wife, I am not going to participate in Arundel politics,” Keller wrote in an e-mail that explained why he was abandoning the effort.

 “I need to devote my time and energy to something more productive. Being a homeowner and taxpayer advocate doesn’t come with any pay or benefits but you get to deal with all the hassles. The board doesn’t listen anyways and have their agendas they want to push through. I wish them luck,” Keller said in the statement.

Keller resigned last week from his seat on the budget board.

The petition began four days after the June 8 election in which one of the selectmen named on the petition, Dana Peck, was re-elected.

The other selectmen targeted by Keller are Mark Paulin and Byron Kindley.

Police say Kindley ran a stolen property ring from the Valero gas station he owned and where he lived in upstairs. Police allege Kindley traded the stolen goods for prescription pain medication. Police have not said where they believe he obtained the medication.

Paulin filed a complaint with the York County Sheriff’s Office in July because he said the signatures collected were not valid. He said residents told him they thought the three petitions were all for Kindley’s resignation, not Paulin or Peck.

York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said Paulin approached Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Nadeau with a complaint alleging the recall petition papers and signatures were inappropriately collected. Ouellette said Nadeau contacted the Maine Ethics Commission but was told it was a local problem.

Ouellette said Nadeau then contacted the attorney general’s office and was told the attorney general didn’t believe the allegations fit guidelines for an investigation. Finally, Nadeau took the complaint to the District Attorney’s Office, where he was told there was no criminal activity.

 “We do not currently have an investigation open and I think the matter is closed,” Ouellette said.

Peck turned out to be exempt from the petition because the town’s charter prohibits selectmen from being recalled within six months of their election.

Keller, a frequent critic of the selectmen, has recently objected to what he believes is preferential treatment toward Bentley’s Saloon, which is seeking to expand and increase its occupancy limit.

The establishment frequently exceeds its current limit through regular requests for mass-gathering permits.

When Keller started the petition he said Peck’s name was included because many of residents felt too intimidated to run against him.

According to Keller, he felt the three selectmen made it difficult for homeowners in Arundel to voice opinions about town issues.

Kindley could be removed from office if found guilty of charges against him.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.