Monday, April 22, 2019

Massachuettts: Stoneham looking at recall law

California: Oroville Council members facing recall petitions

City Council members Linda Draper and Janet Goodson are facing recall efforts led by former candidate Bobby O'Reiley. The allegations are a kitchen sink of charges including public meeting violations and poorly representing constituents.

Update: The recall attempt has been dropped.

California: Antelope Valley School District members facing recall vote

Antelope Valley Union High School District President Robert Davis, VP Victoria Ruffin and Clerk Amanda Parrell are facing recall threats after they agreed to an agreement with a law firm investigating discrimination and disparate treatment of minority students and in hiring decisions. Petitioners would need between 6833 and 7964 signatures to get on the ballot.

California: Oxnard Wastewater increase leads to discussion of new recalls

Here -- the city already had recalls in 2018

Friday, April 19, 2019

Colorado: Petitioners have enough signatures for three Cripple Creek-Victory School District Board Members

The recall against Board President Timothy Braun, Treasurer Dennis Jones and Secretary Tonya Martin appears to be moving forward. Petitioners needed 400 signatures by March 11. They originally handed in 444 for Braun, 435 for Jones and 423 for Martin. However, only 338 were valid for Braun. 303 for Martin and 328 for Jones. Petitioners have another 15 days to get more signatures.

Petitioners now seem to have made up the difference. The recall is over claims of violation of the open record act and possibly a suspension of the superintendent. One of the leader was a former Head Start director who lost to Jones by 30 votes in November 2017. A recall would cost about $8500.

Maine: Judges toss lawsuit trying to stop recall of three Ogunquit Selectmen

A Judge has greenlit the recall against Selectmen Madeline Mooney, Charles Waite III and Robert Winn, throwing out a court case asking that the petitions and signatures are invalid because one of the petitioners isn't a resident (courts have held that petitioners do not have to be a resident to be allowed to collect signatures).  Petitioners handed in over 300 signatures. They needed 215 valids and got 253-257.

The recall is for the three selectmen's support of the town manager's decision to fire the Fire Chief.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Colorado: Durango Herald editorial against the recall efforts in state legislature/governor

Here and note this quote from a recall backer, one that falls into line with the thought process behind many recall opponents turned backers:

One of that recall’s backers, Mary Achziger told the Greeley Tribune she did not believe in recalls – until now: “I thought your next election is your recall. However, when you have someone who is poised to do irreparable damage, then that’s the reason for the recall. If it’s just because you don’t agree with them, if it’s just because they did something you don’t like, that’s a little different. But when they’re getting ready to do irreparable damage, they need to go.”

Nevada: Proponents of Las Vegas Councilman recall raised $207,500 in effort

Campaign finance records show that supporters of the recall of Councilman Steve Seroka (D), who resigned rather than face the vote, spent $207,5000. The recall was over claims of an anti-development stance, specifically his opposition to developing homes on a golf course.One of the construction unions that supported Seroka in his election was a big backer of the recall and gave $175,000 to the effort.

California: Second Dixie School District Board Member facing recall effort

A second Dixie School Trustee (located in Marin-area) is facing a recall effort over the move to change the school district name. The new recall is targeting President Brad Honsberger, who has not announced a position on changing the name. There was a previous effort by people opposing the name change to recall trustee Marnie Glickman (who has led the name-change effort). Petitioners need 2851 in 120 days to get to the ballot.

Colorado: Charges against Englewood Councilmember, survived recall vote, dismissed

Charges against Councilmember Laurett Barrentine, who survived her recall vote in September, over claims of bullying and firing threats, was dismissed by the District Attorney.

North Dakota: Tower City Mayor facing petitions

Tower City Mayor Scott Salberg is facing petitions over a kitchen sink of claims, including poor performance of duties, harassment, removal of city records and failure to conduct city business in an open fashion. Petitioners need 25% of turnout, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 signature (the town has 287 people).

The article notes that there were 22 recall petitions for mayors statewide since 2001.

Colorado: Signatures to be submitted for Estes Park Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

Signatures are about to be handed in for the recall of Mayor Todd Jirsa and Mayor Pro Tem Cody Walker are facing petitions -- petitioners claim they have 565 signature for Jirsa -- they need 553 to make the ballot. They claim they have 585 for Walker and need 450.

The issue was a change in the code in 2017 to allow commercial activity in a downtown park, which "inadvertently allowed commercial ventures almost anywhere in town or in the Estes Valley."

New Mexico: Recalls target Las Cruces' school board members

Las Cruces Board members are facing a recall threat, thought they need a judge to sign off.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Colorado: Rancher gives $100,000 to state legislator recall effort

Here

Nebraska: Group looking to recall Omaha Mayor

Omaha Mayor Jean Stohert (R) is facing a recall effort over complaints about her dealings with critic, and problems with the trash contract and potholes. Petitioners would need 34,818 signatures in 30 days.

Stothert won office in 2013 beating Jim Suttle, who himself barely beat back a recall effort in 2011.

Michigan: Second Albion Councilwoman facing petitions

Albion Councilwoman Jeanette Spicer is facing a petition claiming that the councilwoman is not responsive. Petitioners need 139 signatures.

Currently, the Mayor Pro Tempore Sonya Brown is facing a recall fight over the removal of the head of the Albion Public Safety Department. Brown's recall has been in court.

Friday, April 12, 2019

Tennessee: Bill looking at allowing recall of school board members

Senator Ed Jackson (R) and Representative Chris Todd (R) have introduced a recall law. There is claims that the bills are targeting a Jackson Madison County School Board Member, Morris Merriweather. I'm looking for a copy of the bill.

Idaho: Three Sugar City Council members resign weeks after recall vote

Following a March 12 recall election where Mayor David Ogden (290-177) and Councilman Brent Barrus (294-167) survived their recall votes, three separate city council members resigned. Vaun Waddell, Joy Ball and Bruce King all left office over different issues (Waddell's was health related).

The recall and the resignations seem to be part of the same in a battle over the legal costs for rezoning of property that may result in new apartments.

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Florida: Port Richey Vice Mayor facing recall effort after suspension for obstruction of justice

Port Richey Vice Mayor Terrence Rowe is facing a recall effort after he was suspended for obstruction of justice. Rowe moved into the position of Mayor after the former Mayor Dale Massad was arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that had "come to arrest him on charges of practicing medicine without a license."

Rowe went to the jail to speak to Massad. Petitioners need 180 signatures to get on the ballot.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Nevada: Senate bill looks to tighten recall law

A Senate bill would require a full verification of signature rather than a random sampling, as well as establish a max contribution of $5000 per donor. It will also allow signers to retroactively remove their names and extends the challenge time to 15 days from 5. It also makes it a felony to misrepresent the petition.