Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Five days after receiving a stinging rebuke from the state Government Accountability Board, the Clintonville Common Council on Tuesday voted to hold a recall election targeting District 4 Alderman Greg Rose on Nov. 18.
The recall is believed to be the first in Clintonville, but it might not be the last.
Resident William VanDaalwyk, who launched the recall effort against Rose, told the council Tuesday that it should put money in a contingency fund because there will be more recalls.
He said he was speaking to the council members who voted to investigate former City Administrator Lisa Kotter, who subsequently resigned last month in a deal with the city in which both sides agreed Kotter had done nothing wrong.
The city, which has spent more than $17,000 on legal bills related to the Kotter controversy, also agreed to continue paying Kotter until May 15, 2015.
The Common Council voted unanimously, with Rose abstaining, Tuesday to accept the certification of sufficiency issued Sept. 22 by Johnson that the recall petition met all the necessary criteria. The campaign collected 87 signatures; 56 were required.
The council voted 4-2 not to accept the certification Oct. 2, prompting an order from the GAB telling the council that it must call the election.
VanDaalwyk also called out Alderperson Gloria Dunlavy during Tuesday’s meeting for claiming the recall would cost $5,000. City Clerk Peggy Johnson has indicated it will cost about $2,500.
Rose was elected to a two-year term in April 2013. VanDaalwyk claims Rose has been hostile to business and industry in the city, and breached his fiduciary duty by voting to replace a competent municipal attorney with an inexperienced relative of two council members (Dunlavy and Alderperson Jeannie Schley).
Nomination papers for the recall election will be due by 5 p.m. Oct. 21. Former Alderperson Lois Bressette has already indicated she will oppose Rose. If more than two candidates run, the primary will be held on Nov. 18, and the recall election would then be Dec. 16.
Schley presided over Tuesday’s meeting as acting mayor. Mayor Judith Magee announced Oct. 2 she was taking a medical leave of absence to last no longer than Nov. 26. She cited the council turmoil of recent months as a reason.