Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Arizona: Guadalupe Vice Mayor hands in 250 signatures to recall mayor

Here

Michigan: Two Beaverton councilmembers facing recalls over open meeting violation

Councilmembers Matt Lang and Kevin Neville are facing petitions filed by mayoral candidate Keith Willett over a claimed violation of the open meeting laws. The rest of the council are exempt due to the place on the upcoming election. The issue was a meeting which led to paid leave for the city clerk and treasurer.

Oregon: Douglas Commissioner facing recall over opposition to term limits

Commissioner Susan Morgan is facing a recall because of her suit that the two-term limit for commissioners (passed by 70% of voters in November) is unconstitutional.

Oregon: Three Powers Councilors ousted

Powers councilors Joseph George (65% against), Jackie McDaniel (72% against) and Mearl McDaniel Jr. (70% against) were all kicked out of office over their support for a grinder system for wastewater (which the petitioners claim the city can't afford. Turnout was 65%.

Here's a story on the fallout.

Massachusetts: DA finds no wrongdoing in alleged Saugus recall signature forgeries

The claim of signature forgery in the successful Saugus recall has been found to have no credible evidence behind it. The DA has decided that there is no further action to take.

Newsweek article on Republican leadership troubles

Here

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Nebraska: Herman Village recall cancelled over questionable petitions

The recall of Herman Village Board of Trustee member Shaun Swan was cancelled, after the petitioner signed an affidavit that he verified all the signatures, though another resident was found to have collected three signatures.

Swan previously got into a fight with the husband of the village clerk. Not clear why he was targeted in the recall, but there seems to be a lot of bad blood in Herman.


Colorado: Op-ed attacks Jefferson County recall

Here

Florida: Tampa Mayor facing calls for recall over police civilian review board appointments

Wrangling over whether the mayor or the city council would appoint members to the police civilian review board has led to calls for the recall of Mayor Bob Buckhorn and city council members. This became an issue after complaints that blacks are disproportionately ticketed for biking violations.

Arizona: Guadalupe Mayor facing recall petitions over food stamp fraud case

Mayor Rebecca Jimenez is facing a recall over a recent misdemeanor plea deal she took on charges that she illegally receiving food stamps. She failed to report that her children's father was living in the home with her and the kids, so she had to pay back more than $5K. The Vice Mayor, Andrew Sanchez, has collected 230 signatures, more than 50 more than needed.

Missouri: Lots of Facebook likes for Springfield City Council recall over "Free the Nipple" fight

Facebook likes are worth, of course, nothing in both the real world and in the world of politics.

Arizona: Signatures handed in against two members of Central Arizona College Governing Board

Signatures were handed in against two members of the Central Arizona College Governing Board, Rita Nader (1846) and Gladys Christensen (2599). Petitioners need 1326 for Nader and 2200 for Christensen. This is the first county-wide recall submission in Pinal County history.

Two other members were also targeted, Rick Gibson and Jack Yarrington, though those recalls failed (the petitioners, Citizens for Fair Taxation claimed time and weather issues).The issue was a vote to increase the college share of property taxes by 45%, which was modified to 20%.

The college will have to pay for the recall.

Massachusetts: Winchester School Board recall dropped

The attempt to recall members of the Winchester School Board was dropped after an ex-principal was bought out of his contract.

California: Dixon Rooster ban leads to petitions against mayor, vice mayor, two councilmembers

Former Dixon Councilman Mike Ceremello handed out recall petitions against Mayor Jack Batchelor, Vice Mayor Jerry Castanon, Councilmembers Steve Bird and Scott Pederson over their support for a ban on keeping roosters, though he apparently was also going to recall over rate hikes from a new sewer system. Councilman Ted Hickman, who actually put forward the ban, wasn't served.

Petitioner will need about 2,000 signatures.

California: Moreno Valley approval of Logistics Center leads to calls for council recall

Members of the Moreno Valley City Council are facing threats of a recall after the 3-2 approval of the World Logistics Center (a warehouse from the LA and Long Beach ports).

Colorado: Councilman facing Snowmass Village recall disappears

Interesting result -- Chris Jacobson's house is for sale and he hasn't been seen at all.

Ohio: East Cleveland Councilman recall gets to the ballot

Signatures have been verified against East Cleveland Councilman Thomas Wheeler, who is facing a recall after cooperating with the FBI after a businessman tried to bribe him. The Board of Elections verified 219 of the 315 signatures handed in. Former City Councilman Otis Mays notoraized the petitions, so that may be a hint.

Wheeler is an ally of Mayor Gary Norton, who has been the subject of numerous failed recall attempts.

Wisconsin: End of Frac Sand Mining Moratorium leads to petitions for recall of Arcadia Mayor

Arcadia Mayor John Kimmel is facing petitions for a recall over his support for the end of a moratorium on frac sand mining. We've seen frac sand mining as a recall topic last year, though the drop in oil prices has made this a less pressing issue.

Arizona: Case asking to toss out Oro Valley recall dismissed

The issue was the placement on the ballot of two candidates who the plaintiff claimed shouldn't have gotten on the ballot. Judge tossed out the case and the recall will proceed.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

California: Lucerne Valley School Board member makes the grade

The recall of Lucerne Valley School Board member Dawn Turnbull has made the ballot, with the board looking at a January date.

Oregon: Klamath County Commissioner facing petitions over medical marijuana ban

Klamath County Commissioner Tom Mallams is facing a recall petition over a vote to ban medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries, producers and wholesalers. The petitioners own a medical marijuana dispensary that they've been trying to open. They also claim to be bothered by his illegal pumping of water at his farm.

Petitioners need 3426 signatures in 90 days.

Massachusetts: Fall River Mayor comes in second in reelection race

Mayor Sam Sutter, who unseated Will Flanagan in a recall last year, came in second in his reelection run. There will be a run-off in November.

Oregon: Clatskanie Mayor facing petitions

Clatskanie Mayor Diane Pohl is facing petitions over what seems to be her support for the former police chief, who allegedly made racist remarks on the job. There's also news that the Mayor's husband was recently arrested for indecency.

Petitioner need 90 signatures in 90 days. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

California: Rosamond Community Service District faces petitions

President Ed MacKay and Directors Olaf Landsgaard and Dennis Shingledecker are facing recall threats over their handling of matters, including violating open meeting laws.

Idaho: Idaho Falls City Council member facing recall over parole hearing

The article is a good overview of the Idaho recall laws. Idaho Falls City Council member Barbara Ehardt is facing recall threats after she a story came out that she testified in favor of parole for Franklin Crazythunder who took six shits at a policeman at a traffic stop.

Maine: Anson will vote on proposed recall law

This comes on the heels of the indictment of the tax collector

Massachusetts: Upcoming Lawrence election may show thoughts on mayoral recall

Here

Missouri: "Free the Nipple" campaign targets Springfield City Councilman

Springfield City Councilman Justin Burnett is the focus of a recall effort by people who had a "Free the Nipple" rally downtown, though the leader of the effort suggests a general dissatisfaction with Burnett before the event. Burnett pushed for a stricter indecent exposure law. Petitioners would need 1912 signatures.

Arizona: Kingman Mayor, City Council facing petitions

Mayor Richard Anderson and Councilmembers Larry Carver, Mark Wimpee, Carole Young, Mark Abram, Jen Miles and Stuart Yocum, are facing recall petitions for several vague claims, including charges about the airport and Kingman Crossing. The petitioner owns several properties in need of abatement.

Petitioner would need 1147 signatures for Anderson, and 1209 for the council members by December 12.


Arizona: Petition to remove two from Oro Valley recall ballot

Doesn't sound like there's any basis for the court to rule for a removal though.

Scott Walker drops Presidential Bid

There is a limit to how much of boost you can get from a recall, and apparently Walker found that ceiling. I think we can say for certain that Walker would not have had been in the top position he was in without the recall victory, but that was simply not enough to sustain him.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Idaho: Caldwell School District recall leads for call for reform of law

An excellent editorial here that notes a problem we have seen repeatedly crop up -- The recall of Caldwell School Board Member Leif Skyving and Amy Rojas over the removal of the superintendent and assistant has led to calls for changes in the law based on a common problem -- the two of them have to vote to put the recall on the ballot.

Friday, September 18, 2015

California: Modesto Councilwoman facing recall over workplace violence issues

Modesto Councilwoman Sheree Lustgarten is facing petitions (and a temporary restraining order) over her bullying and threats at a senior center and against the city attorney. Needless to say, some of the violence (while holding a butcher knife) occurred at a particularly fraught "ice-cream social."

Petitioners will need 1790 signatures in 90 days.

Arizona: Former State Senator who beat Senate President Russell Pearce in 2011 recall running for office again

Here

Massachusetts: Fall River mayoral recall credited with sparking interest in elected office

Here

Nebraska: Herman Village Board member recall granted temporary injunction

The attempt to recall Herman Village Board Member Shaun Swan has been enjoined after one of the petitioners admitted that he didn't witness all of the signatures. Petitioners need 36 signatures, they got 47.

California: Morgan Hill School Board President facing petitions

Morgan Hill School Board President Bob Benevento is facing recall threats over claimed rudeness, though the issue seems to be a 5-2 vote to move the sixth grade from elementary school to middle school. A switch would a new board majority to reverse the decision. Petitioners need 6289 signatures in 120 days -- the recall would be estimated to cost $503,000.

Colorado: State approves Jefferson County Recall plan

The big issue is printing and mailing supplemental ballot forms.

Ohio: Cincinnati Mayor facing recall threats following firing of Police Chief

So far, it's just a Facebook page. Mayor John Cranley is claiming that the city charter doesn't allow recalls (1876 case State Ex Rel. Lockhart v. Boberek), though it is not clear. It may need a charter amendment to move forward. If it is allowed, petitioners would need 10,977 signatures.

North Carolina: State Legislature reduces size of Moore School Board, but does not pass recall law

Here

Wisconsin: Clintonville mayor misses third straight meeting; now talk of recall

Mayor Judy Magee seems to have disappeared, and recalls are one of the option being discussed in how to handle her absence.

Arizona: Editorial opposing recall of School Superintendent Douglas

This one calls recalls "bad business."

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Massachusetts: Editorial against Lawrence mayoral recall

Here

Massachusetts: Shirley voters approve recall law asking state legislature to allow it

Shirley voters approved a motion to ask the state legislature to allow the city to adopt a recall 191-129.

Oregon: Another editorial against recalls

Here

New Mexico: Albuquerque School Board recall withdrawn

The recall of the last school board member Peggy Muller-Aragon has been withdrawn for lack of legal counsel, though the petitioner claims that he will re-file.

Oregon: Portland's Richmond Neighborhood Association member survives recall by one vote

Richmond Neighborhood Association member Doug Klotz survived a recall by one vote. 252 votes were cast, but petitioners needed 2/3 to win. 167 votes were cast to knock out Klotz (who is one of the longest serving members -- been in office since about 1993).  The issue seemed to jump up after Klotz's pushed for the successfully ouster of three other board members.

Wisconsin: State Rep argues for partisan GAB

Not too many people would cite the Federal Election Commission as something to be followed.

Massachusetts: Lawrence Mayor recall waiting judge's decision

The recall against Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera is awaiting a hearing on an injunction before the recall goes forward.

Montana: Glacier County Treasurer petition approved

Petitions against Treasurer Mary Anne Boggs has been approved -- petitioners need nearly 1100 signatures (15% of registereds).

Oregon: Will failure of Senate recall change the gun control debate?

Here

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Oregon: Senator Prozanski recall fails after enough signatures rejected

The attempt to recall State Senator Floyd Prozanski (D) failed, with the Elections Director tossing out over 1800 signatures. Petitioners handed in 10550, later lowered to 10,027. But only 8209 were found valid. They needed 8415.This seems to end the latest gun control recall battles.

Friday, September 11, 2015

Oregon: Recall against State Senator Prozanski survives challenge

An attempt to recall State Senator Floyd Prozanski (D) over his support for background check law on guns cleared one hurdle, as the Secretary of State rejected a complaint about signature gathering violations. The recall campaign voluntarily tossed out 164 signatures, taking the signature county down to 10027. They need 8415 -- which seems realistic in Oregon (or California or Michigan) though not in other states (Arizona, notably).

The complaint was over the collection of signatures by owner-operators of gun stores. The complaint alleged that these owners should have to be considered paid signature gathers. Apparently, it was not employees who collected the signatures, so that saved them. Others were single-signer sheets, which, unsurprisingly, have a high verification rate.

The recall (which would have to be held by October 23), would cost $100,000 to $134,000.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Nebraska: Neilgh City Council recall set for October 15

This is against four council members

Massachusetts: Shirley Board Chairman urges no vote on recall law

Here and Here and here's the Finance Committee weighing in for more study.

Maryland: Brunswick council votes to tighten recall law

The city council voted to move from a 25% of turnout to 20% of registered voters standard -- which would go from about 170 signatures to 800 for the mayoral seat. One Brunswick mayor was recalled in 1990.

Massachusetts: Recall effort against Lawrence mayor proceeds

Here

Montana: Glacier County Treasurer petitions approved

Petitioners need 1098 signatures to get the recall against Mary Ann Boggs on the ballot.

Alabama: Editorial opposing rush to enact new recall law

Here

Arizona: Recall committee files complaint against School Superintendent's Chief of Staff

Here

Michigan: Two Greenleaf Trustees facing November recall

Looks like there will be at least two recalls on the ballot in Greenleaf. Trustees Randy Schuette and Ken Brown are both facing votes. No word on the Clerk Lori Mazure recall though. This recall is over the purchase of a building by the township.

New Mexico: Editorial claiming that the Albuquerque School Board recall is a D v. R political vendetta

This editorial claims that the move to scale back the school board recall to only Peggy Muller-Aragon partially over her $15,000 campaign contribution from the Republican Governor suggests a D v. R fight.

Wisconsin: USA Today reporter covering Scott Walker signed recall petition

The Gannett News reporter Madeleine Behr signed the petition when she was in college. Apparently, she revealed the info to the editors before the assignment.


Missouri: University City Mayor facing petition over turning over EMS to private ambulance service

University City Mayor Shelley Welsch and Councilman Stephen Kraft are facing petitions over the city's deal to hire an ambulance service for medical transit needs, which was suppose to save $500,000. The deal was approved 5-2.
The organizer for the Kraft recall is Jeff Hales, who lost to Kraft in 2014.

Wisconsin: Franklin Alderman ousted in recall

Franklin Alderman Janet Evans was ousted in the recall 494-194. Steve Taylor was elected in her place.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Oregon: Gun Rights groups hand in 10,500 signatures against Democratic State Senator

There have been a number of attempts to recall state legislators in Oregon over their support for background checks. Now it looks like there is a real chance that one of these will get on the ballot. Petitioners have handed in 10,500 signatures against Senator Floyd Prozanski. They need 8415, so an 80 percent validation rate. This is well within the range that we normally see in other West Coast states, like California or Washington.

If verified, Prozanski has to resign or fact an election in 35 days. However, there is no election for a replacement and a Democrat will be chosen to replace him.

Signatures collected in Southern Ute Tribal Chairman and Five Council recall

Petitioners have claimed that they have enough signatures to recall Southern Ute Tribal Chairman Clement Frost and five council members, Alex Cloud, Amy Barry, James Olguin, Mel Baker and Tyson Thompson. Petitioners need 275 signatures, and the claim is that the council hires too many non-tribal members and lacks experience on social issues.

Alabama: Dothan Commissioner under voter fraud cloud hears talk of recall

Dothan Commissioner Amos Newsome is facing calls for his resignation by three other commissioners after three of his campaign workers were convicted of voter fraud (absentee ballot division). Newsome has not been charged. He won his seat by 14 votes, and received 119 of 124 absentee ballot votes.

Petitioners would need 3% of qualified voters signatures to get a recall on the ballot.

Kansas: Lincoln Board of Ed member facing recall threats over home-schooling

Matt Schulte, the newly elected Lincoln Board of Education member, is facing recall threats over his home-schooling of his two oldest children, though he told voters in a questionnaire that they would attend the local public school.