Virginia: Henrico School Board Chair facing recall over sale of land for cancer treatment center

Henrico School Board Chair Michelle F. Ogburn is facing a threatened recall due to claims that she did not convey the community's disapproval of a proposed cancer treatment center that would be near residential properties (including that of the lead petitioner).

Apparently, the discussions took place before Ogburn was elected. Virginia has a recall trial law, so the petitioner is claiming that Ogburn is guilty of "neglect of duty" and "misuse of office." He would need 10% of the total votes cast, which should equal 1,076 or so. However, a Judge would have to rule that this meets the standard to get on the ballot and -- SPOILER ALERT -- that's not going to happen.

Wisconsin: Walker raised over $22.4 million from out of state sources in recall run; $16 million in 2014 reelection race

Walker had by far the best out of state network of any governor. The chart says it all. How much of that was the recall? Probably almost all.

Wisconsin: Six possible candidates who can take on Scott Walker in 2018

Here

Oregon: Two Glendale School board members resign, one to face recall next month

Glendale School Board Chairman Henry Perry and member Judith Dickerson resigned from the school board after at least 178 signatures were verified to set up an upcoming recall. Member William Boal is facing an upcoming recall vote next month.
The issue seemed to take place agter two students brought in air-soft guns and were suspended for two days, which other parents felt wasn't strick enough. Parents and police were not immediately notified of the event.

Massachusetts: Board of Registers hearing appeal in Lawrence Mayor recall petitions

The Board voted 4-0 to hear an appeal to get the signatures of more than 1500 voters back on the petitions against Mayor Daniel Rivera. The board tossed out 3070 signatures -- and petitioners need just 665 to get on the ballot.

Colorado: Groups drops recall of State Rep. over her blaming Planned PArenthood for shooting

The effort against State Representative JoAnn Windholz has been abandoned, as the group raised just $5500. Petitioners had an online petition with 63,000 signatures (which doesn't count anyway), and about 2000 of those were from Colorado.

Texas: Electra Mayor on the ballot for a recall in May

Electra Mayor Pam Ward's recall will be on the ballot in May. Petitioners got 163 verified signatures. They needed 100. The issue was the firing of the former Police Chief. The attempt to recalls of Commissioners Kevin Byrd and Ricky Kelley are still waiting for verification.

Nebraska: Herman Village Board Member kicked out

Shaun Swan, who faced a recall after fights and a previous recall attempt was tossed out, lost the recall vote on a mail-in ballot 47-40. Swan is running for reelection in November regardless.

Texas: Petitions handed in against second Denton Council member

145 signatures were handed in against council member Kevin Roden over his vote to repeal fracking limits. Voters had adopted a ban in 2014, before his vote to repeal the ban in 2015. Councilman Joey Hawkins is already facing a recall on this one. Petitioners need 132 valids.

South Dakota: Rejected Hartford recall leads to Senate bills changing recall laws

The failure to get a recall on the ballot against Mayor Doyle Johnson, who had two votes to reject the recall, has led to proposed changes in the recall law. Senate Bill 65 would change the law so that councilors can only challenge the signatures, not the reason for the recall. The bill passed 5-0, and is going to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 65 deals with procedure for a municipal recall petition. It gives a more clear understanding of what a council can do with the petitions. Under the bill, councilors would only be able to challenge the signatures, not the reason behind the petition.

These bills were in front of a committee Wednesday in Pierre.

"This has been our experience and this is what happened and so wanted to share that with them and help make it clear," Menning said.

One of the men testifying at the Capitol was Hartford Resident Jeremy Menning. He's one the men who helped collect the signatures for the petition. He's seen the problems firsthand, and he's happy to see the lawmakers take an interest in preventing future controversy.

"At least now it can be clear not just for us but hopefully for every community going forward, because it was unfortunate how this one worked out and how things happen here but going forward we hope that everything is clear so that nobody has to interpret what they think should happen," Menning said.

Committees looked at both bills. Senate Bill 65 passed with a 5-0 vote. It will be on the Senate Floor soon.

Senate Bill 64 is still working out a few amendments. The committee heard the testimony, but won't vote on it until next week.

Alaska: North Slope Borough Mayor facing April 5 recall

Mayor Charlotte Brower is facing the voters on April 5 over allegations of misusing funds. She is accused of purchasing cakes for her daughter and basketball camp in California for her grandchildren. Petitioners needed 492 signatures to get on the ballot,

Oregon: Pendleton Councilor facing petitions over utility fee

Pendleton City Councilor Al Plute is facing petitions over his vote to institute a $5 street utility fee after voters shot down a 5 cent gas tax. Petitioners need 705 signatures (15% of turnout of the Governor's election). There is also some discussion of a lawsuit that he settled with Pendleton Plumbing.

Here's some more on the case, including the opposition to the recall from his fellow councilors.

Texas: Floresville Mayor and City Council recalls unlikely

The attempted recall of Mayor Sherry Castillo and Councilmen Daniel Tejada and Juan Ortiz is not going to get on the ballot, according to the City Attorney. The Attorney claims that there is to little time before the February 19 deadline to get the recall on the ballot for May 7. After that, the recall could only happen on November, when the positions are on the ballot anyway.

Massachusetts: Injunction rejected in Rowley Water Commissioner recall

An attempt to stop the recall of Water Commissioner Timothy Toomey was rejected, and it will take place on February 2.

Arizona: Superior Mayor facing recall threats over cash withdrawals

Mayor Jayme Valenzuela, who is also a commander in the Pinal County Sheriff's Office, is facing calls for a recall after allegations by the former town clerk that he made $2300 in withdrawals from the town debit card, including at a casino. The Town Manager abruptly resigned last friday and the financial officer hasn't shown up for work.

Following the town clerk's revelation, she was fired, in a 4-3 vote, with Valenzuela casting the deciding vote (she was on a six-month probationary period).

Texas: Denton fracking recall set for May 7

Joey Hawkins will be facing the voters that day over his support for fracking. It will be part of the regularly scheduled election.

Michigan: Charlotte School Board member facing petitions over resignation of technical foul-plagued coach

Charlotte School Board members may be facing petitions after the high school boy's varsity coach resigned (there was already a vote not to rehire him). The issue seemed to be that he got 6 technical fouls in 30 games (which does sound like a lot).

Board President Mike Bruce, Gary King, Julie Kimmer, Ron Schultheiss and Lee Wheaton are facing the threat after a 5-1 vote.

Michigan: Petitions filed against Clawson School Trustee

Kevin Turner is facing recall petitions over claims that he violated the Open Meeting Act. This took place after a 4-3 vote to privatize custodial services.

Colorado: Parachute recall over marijuana ban on the ballot in April

The recall of Mayor Roy McClung and Trustees Tim Olk and Tom Rugaard over their support for a a marijuana ban is scheduled to be on the ballot in April.

Texas: Alpine mayor not running for reelection

Mayor Avinash Rangra, who faced a recall threat that never got to the ballot, has decided to not run for re-election.