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First step in city council recall attempt begins with meeting

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  • David Tewes •
  • Originally published July 1, 2008 at 12:04 a.m., updated July 1, 2008 at 12:04 a.m.

A move to recall at least three Victoria City Council members will kick off during a town hall meeting today.

“We’re not being vindictive about it,” said Russell Pruitt, a member of the Citizens for Responsible Government pushing the recall.

The group’s action is instead based on the council failing to listen to and act on the wishes of the taxpayers, he said.

Today’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Victoria Electric Cooperative Building at 102 S. Ben Jordan St.

“We want to propose this to everybody and see how the people feel about it,” Pruitt said. “Then we will have a meeting in the future and present the exact wording.”

The meeting is open to the public.

The group also plans to discuss six city charter changes that could include term limits and making the city attorney post an elected position. The city attorney is currently hired by the council.

Pruitt told the council two weeks ago he would push for a recall after the council voted to provide up to $200,000 for the legal defense of four city officials. Mayor Will Armstrong, Police Chief Bruce Ure, police Lt. Ralph Buentello and former City Attorney David Smith have pleaded not guilty to charges they interfered with a criminal investigation of former sheriff Mike Ratcliff.

It’s possible the citizens group could seek the recall of everyone on the council, with the exception of David Hagan, Pruitt said. Hagan is the only one who voted against using tax dollars to defend the four city officials.

The group will consider whether to pursue six changes to the city’s charter. They include:

Term limits for the city council. The limits would be decided by the citizens group.

Reducing the number of signatures required for initiative and referendum petitions. The group is considering lowering it from 10 to 5 percent of the registered voters, making it easier to get an election called.

Having the county elections administrator instead of the city secretary certify all petitions.

Requiring the city attorney to run for office.

Changing the city’s elections from May to November to coincide with state elections.

Prohibiting the city council from spending tax money to defend indicted city officials.

David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.



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Comments

  • rukidding rukidding Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    This is a waste of time. Elections will be held again in the Spring for two or three of the positions. Why doesn't this group use this time to put forth a viable slate of canidates to run in the Spring? My memory is that no one else even filed to oppose the current council last spring.

    July 1, 2008 at 7:45 p.m.