Stevensville Mayor Brandon Dewey has filed a lawsuit in Ravalli County District Court aimed at stopping the recall election against him. The lawsuit names Leanna Rodabaugh, who initiated the recall petition against him and Ravalli County Clerk and Recorder Regina Plettenberg in her capacity as Election Administrator. Dewey claims in the lawsuit that Rodabaugh lied under oath, and that her allegations are false and were made recklessly to mislead citizens in an effort to have him removed from office. He claims that Plettenberg never should have approved the petition to recall because it is based on misrepresentation of facts and presents misleading information.
Rodabaugh claims in the affidavit that she submitted as part of the petition process that it is Dewey who violated his oath of office by signing a $79,800 contract with First Call Computer Services without approval by the Town Council and that in doing so he violated the public’s right to know and participate in government decision making.
Dewey claims that he had the legal authority to sign the contract under the Town Council’s prior approval of the budget, the Stevensville Purchasing Policy and Montana law and claims the contract was misrepresented as a $79,800 contract.
“In reality,” it states in the lawsuit, “the non-binding contract total was comprised of: (1) $25,200.00 per year, for three years; (2) coverage for 8 different municipal-operated departments; and (3) a one-time implementation fee of $4,200. Without context, it appears as though the contract totals $79,800.00 for one fiscal year and for just the Mayor’s office.”
Dewey outlines the history of the Town Council’s actions with regard to the contract, including its approval as a line item in the budget that was adopted; approval of the start-up fee of $4,200 and the first monthly payment. He claims that all these issues were discussed openly at the council meeting that Rodabaugh attended and she should have known that her allegations were false and misleading.
Dewey asks the court for a preliminary injunction and for a Writ of Prohibition directing the Election Administrator to not call an election or further process the Recall Petition, claiming it is necessary to prevent irreparable injury to him as well as to the town. He also asks for a declaration that, based upon the true facts, the recall petition being circulated is improper under the law and that there are no legal grounds to it.
“This declaration is justified,” he argues, “because the allegations in the Recall Petition are false and in contradiction to the powers granted to the City by Mont. Code, which allows technical contracts to be awarded without a bidding process. Additionally, the Stevensville Town Purchasing Policy provides further justification because it allows the Mayor to enter into contracts without Town Council approval if the item was listed and approved thereby in the fiscal year budget.”
Dewey also asks for attorney fees and costs to be awarded. Dewey is being represented by Natasha Prinzing Jones of Boone Karlberg P.C.
Jim Crews says
Devlin, get your head out of the sand. He did exactly what is on the recall. This is not the first time either.
Bri M. says
Mr. Crews,
You’re entitled to an opinion on someone, but for the love of god, leave the poor people alone who actually want to support him. If you don’t support him, that’s okay, but if other people do choose to support him, leave them alone, as they’re entitled to their own opinion too.
Jessica Wedel says
With all due respect Mr. Crews, we (most) the people of stevensville feel you are on a witch hunt. No matter how much support Dewey gets you try even harder to spread your hate for him to whoever will listen. The truth will prevail, if your right then….. but Mr. crews. Are you right?
Tim Burke says
It’s simple. The Mayor just needs to go. Bye bye…
Tim Burke says
It’s simple. The Mayor needs to go. Bye bye…
Tiffany Williams says
Leanna Rodabaugh and the like are wasting everyone’s time and energy on this nonsense. Stevensville is a beautiful, vibrant community and those of us who live and do business here are so sick of these spiteful antics. We all just want to move on!
Janet Weber says
I wholeheartedly agree Tiffany! And I will add – if this energy (and lawyer’s fees) would be directed at projects around town (for example, choose an project of the Civic Club or Project 59870), Stevensville would be an even better place to live, work, and visit.
Susan Devlin says
Excellent news. Leanna Rodabaugh didn’t get her “facts” straight. It was a bogus recall petition and she should be and is being sued. Her hatred of Mayor Dewey has led her to this. Let’s get behind our Mayor and assist him. I’m going to set up a Go Fund Me page to help him with his fight against this hatred.
Tim Burke says
Susan. Get real please.
Bri M. says
Mr. Burke,
As I said to Mr. Crews “You’re entitled to an opinion on someone, but for the love of god, leave the poor people alone who actually want to support him. If you don’t support him, that’s okay, but if other people do choose to support him, leave them alone, as they’re entitled to their own opinion too.” This applies to you as well. Respect other people’s opinions if you want people to actually respect yours.
Bri M. says
That’s wonderful that you’ll set up a GoFundMe for our mayor. He deserves all the support he can get through this. This has been going on long enough. I tend to try to stay out of this sort of business, but I’m glad Mayor Brandon is finally fighting this silliness, because it sounds like this recall is absolute silliness.