Avenal's Power Struggle: When Elected Officials Won't Leave Office, Democracy Takes a Hit The city of Avenal, California, has become an unlikely case study in civic dysfunction.
In April, voters overwhelmingly supported the removal of four out of five city council members, including Mayor Alvaro Preciado and City Council Members Leticia Gamez, David Reynosa, and Pablo Hernandez.
However, instead of accepting defeat and vacating their positions, these officials have refused to leave office. Their refusal is not without precedent for controversy.