By Chris Sheridan, Stevensville
So there is currently a small but vocal movement to recall my mayor, Brandon Dewey. A lot of attention is being paid to the recall effort, without any public conversation about how this all plays out if the recall is successful.
Bob Michalson, as Town Council President would, in this scenario become mayor. This is the same person who was the subject of a harassment and bullying allegation and investigation several years ago. No wrongdoing was determined since the Town doesn’t have a policy against bullying – yes, you read that correctly. He didn’t get in trouble because nothing in Town policy said he couldn’t do it. Anyway, the Town is now the subject of a pending lawsuit because of Bob’s actions.
Additionally, two of Bob’s council mates are currently seeking disciplinary action against Bob for his actions toward council and the public. If that wasn’t enough, our Town Clerk just resigned, also citing harassment from Mr. Michalson. Do you want a known bully serving as mayor in our Town, representing our Town?
When Bob becomes mayor, someone will need to fill his council position. There are a number of options, one being the obvious choice – Jim Crews (long story short, Bob’s close friend, ex-mayor who lost the election to Brandon, who our previous council tried repeatedly to bring back into office as council member, and who is also named in our Town Clerk’s recent letter of resignation as someone who has been harassing her). Or perhaps Steve Gibson, another failed former councilmember. No matter the individual, the fact remains they will have been hand picked by Bob and Robin and not the citizens of Stevi.
These men have shown time and again to be bullies, threatening anyone who stands in their way or disagrees with them, including elderly women. They can’t speak without lying. Don’t stand for their bullying, Stevensville. Support your duly elected mayor.
Leanna Rodabaugh says
To Sharon, can you really imagine any kind of world where our current council could agree on anything? Especially a new mayor. That should be a rousing good time.. I wouldn’t worry that a new mayor could be selected without a major attitude change. Bob would remain on the council. Whenever the mayor is absent for whatever reason, the council president steps in for a short period of time. This does not mean he vacates his council seat.
7-3-4218. Vacancies. (1) Vacancies in the office of mayor or council member must be filled by appointment made by a majority vote of the remaining members of the council. If in filling a vacancy a tie vote should occur, then the person to fill the vacancy must be determined by lot in a manner that the council may provide.
(2) A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the next general election and until a successor is elected and qualified. A person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was elected.
Leanna Rodabaugh says
Bob does NOT want to be mayor, Jim is finished with local politics and moving.. If you look at this issue another way instead of your two paranoid choices, three are running this town right now. Respectfully, what is the difference? There is no consensus about anything in this town.
Jim Crews says
I do not want to be a member of the council either. What part of any of this do you not understand.
Jim Crews says
Now that the little dictator has voted himself a 100% pay raise, I know a number of people who will be interested in the Mayors Office now. And watch what he does when he looses the election, he will get council to cut the pay way back. Because that is how he works.
Jim Crews says
Sheridan, I do not appreciate your comments. They are blatantly untrue and a complete misrepresentation of the facts or processes.
If the Mayor is recalled, the Council President steps up by law to assume the role only until a new mayor is appointed by the council or elected..
Contrary to what you assume, I am not and do not want to be mayor of this town. I have stated so publicly and do here again. You know nothing about me or my goals or ambitions.
I have not harassed anyone. Where you get your information is your business, but the source is obviously flawed. I have proof.
I do not like to be treated badly, and I will say something when someone does so. Take it for what its worth. You treated some folks badly here in your Opinion letter, so you will get a rebuttal.
I do not threaten anyone, I do not bully anyone, and I do not lie.
Yes, there is a recall. I believe it is valid and it is the right of every Citizen to demand redress. Read your Constitution. It is not unlawful to exercise your rights.
You claim to hold an OUPV Certification, a ships captain. As a Captain, surely you understand the basics of right and wrong.
Sharon Gee says
Maybe I misread Chris’s comments but my take away from his article is that Bob will become interim Mayor if this recall nonsense goes through.
The Council (not the citizens) would pick a new Mayor and that person could be Bob or someone else. It’s not clear whether the sitting (interim) Mayor would be able to break a tie on a split vote.
The council also would have the authority to pick and choose a new council member (which could, in fact, be Jim).
The citizens of Stevensville would have no say in this until the next election.
Doesn’t sound like a great deal to me.
I hope if it comes to down to a recall that the citizens of this town vote against the recall.