Colorado: Recall attempt dropped against third Castle Rock Councilmember

An attempt to recall Castle Rock Councilmember Mark Heath was dropped, with petitioners claiming that Heath has been more engaged. Mayor Paul Donahue is still facing an upcoming vote, and Renee Valentine is suing over petitions that were handed in against her.

Colorado: Castle Rock Councilwoman protests recall petition

Councilwoman Renee Valentine has protested the petitions handed in against, claiming that the complaint is false and misleading -- the claims over a right to vote on annexation, limiting public comments at meeting and approving budgets that exceed revenue.

Petitioners handed in over 300 signatures. 273 were validated. They needed 268 signatures.

Colorado: Former El Paso Sheriff arrested

Former El Paso Sheriff Terry Maketa, who was the subject of recall threats though the alleged 48,000 signatures gathered wasn't enough for the petitioners to turn in, has been indicted on second degree kidnapping and false imprisonment. He was alleged to have had a string of affairs with subordinates while in office.

Zimbabwe: Electronic Resource Centre calls for recall law

Currently, the parties can remove a legislator. The law would give the power to the voters.The Centre is calling for the right to be given to the voters.

New Mexico: Three Silver School Board members targeted

Silver School Board President Arnold Torres, VP Tony Egan and member Chris Arvidson are all facing petitions over it looks like one the leaders include a former School Board Member and a former education association president. This is probably about the recent buyout of the Superintendent for $60,000 and the Superintendent's decision to push for the firing of several coaches.

Petitioners need signatures totally 33 1/3% of turnout.

Colorado: Castle Rock Councilmember denounces recall of colleagues

Castle Rock Mayor Paul Donahue is facing a recall on July 26 and petitions are still out for Councilmember Renee Valentine. Fellow council member Brett Ford denounced the recall effort:

“I've always believed that a recall should be used when one has committed fraud, embezzlement and illegal acts, however, that has not happened."

Oregon: Harney County Commissioner recall scheduled for June 28

Here

Georgia: Meigs Mayor Ousted

Meigs Mayor Linda Harris was ousted 94-48 in Tuesday's recall after she was charged with theft. Harris has spoken about running in the upcoming special election replacement race.

Harris' tenure has been controversial -- she won in 2013 by four votes and was arrested for stalking the ex-mayor; she was arrested for disorderly conduct and banned from City Hall. Most of the power of her office was transferred to the City Manager. The city was sued for a hostile work environment and lost its insurance. Then, she was arrested for stealing $80 and using a city credit card without authority.

She recently tried to pass a law that would make it illegal for city council members to be arrested by Meigs police.

Michigan: Four Croswell-Lexington School Board members facing petitions over resignations

Four Croswell-Lexington School Board members, Linda France, Lyle Clarkson, Laurie Ebner and Katie Gordon, are facing recall threats over their acceptance of the resignations of three of the districts four principals (all of whom appear to have lacked proper certifications). The focus does seem to be an open meeting violation. The Board did receive a note of support from the State Superintendent.

Tennessee: Memphis Council Chairman facing threats over parking

Council Chairman Kemp Conrad is facing threats over his support for allowing parking on the Overton Park "greensward." Petitioners would need 36,455 signatures (10% of total votes in the last general election -- I wonder about that). One of the leaders seems to be his past opponent Robin Spielberger.

Massachusetts: Recall effort against two Lowell Selectmen on hold

The recall effort against Selectmen Carolyn Smart and Gordon Clark are on hold, as petitioners wait for what they call a ruling, though it is not clear who is giving the ruling. The issue was open meeting law violations.

California: Three Arvin Councilmembers facing petitions

Three Arvin City Council members, Jose Gurrola, Jazmin Robles and Jess Ortiz, are facing petitions due in one week, with Mayor Jose Flores being one of those leading the recall charge. The claim is that the councilmembers are easily manipulated -- Flores seems to be upset that the councilmembers went out to recruit a new police chief rather than promoting in-house. Petitioners need 20% of registered voters.

Texas: Corpus Christi Mayor facing petitions over bad water

Mayor Nelda Martinez is facing petitions over issues of bad water in the city. Petitioners would need 16500 signatures (10% of registered voters).

California: The Recall Boomerang effect and the San Francisco Mayor

I've mentioned the 1983 San Francisco Mayoral Recall against Dianne Feinstein as a big career boost for her. Here's another discussion of it in relation to grumbling to recall the current mayor Ed Lee.

Nebraska: Madison Mayor up for recall after 229 signatures handed in

Madison Mayor Alvin Brandl is now facing a recall within the next 75 days. Petitioners handed in 229 valids. Petitioners need 170. The issue was Brandl's appointments to various city boards. The recall has been set for July 19.

New Jersey: Recall efforts expand to Councilman

Councilman Sal Gullace is now facing recall efforts by the same group who are leading the charge against Mayor Jimmy Davis. Petitioners need 2569 signatures in 160 days. The group claims they have about 2500 signatures against Davis, but need 8178.

The issue seems to be a proposed development which includes a mosque. However, the claim is that the councilman allegedly once called the Second Ward " a dump" and that he tried to "pilfer" more than $20,000 in health benefits (which was about a health benefits coordinator mistakenly advising that 3 council members were entitled to health insurance).

Oregon: Harney County Commissioner recall makes the ballot over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge takeover

Some follow up from one of the big media stories of last year -- the takeover of a wildlife refuge center, Petitioners have handed in enough signatures to get the recall against Harney County Commissioner Steve Grasty on the ballot by June 28 (he serves as County Court judge, though that is chairman of the commission, not a judge). Petitioners needed 444 signatures, and they got 458 valids. Grasty was first elected in 1998 and his term runs out this year.

The issue was Grasty's opposition to the takeover/41-day holdout of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by Amnon Bundy and his supporters.

Ohio: Look back at the Akron Mayor recall attempt

This one is part of a chapter of a book on the mayor by a former Beacon-Journal reporter Steve Love. The Indomitable Don Plusquellic: How a Controversial Mayor Quarterbacked Akron's Comeback.

Pennsylvania: State Senator proposes recall law

State Senator Rob Teplitz (D) has proposed a constitutional amendment that requires a recall vote for governor, lieutenant governor and state lawmakers if a state budget is not adopted by January 1. Definitely a new turn on the recall law.

California: New procedures for removing elected officials to be voted on by San Diego voters

This is in the wake of the Mayor Bob Filner debacle. It is not clear whether there are changes to the city's terrible recall law.