By Angela Lyons, Stevensville
Mayor Dewey is facing recall for one reason. He broke the law.
When he sued the recall petitioner he claimed that the petition was a lie.
Ravalli County Judge Recht ruled that based on the arguments provided by both sides, “Dewey acted outside the law and without legal authority, by doing so, he violated several statutes, ordinances and the Purchasing Policy.” Thus, the petition was valid and the recall would move forward.
Literally, nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter if he didn’t mean to do it. (Why did he hide the contract for three months from the Town Council and the public?) It doesn’t matter if he just got the rules wrong despite two years of being aware of those rules. (Ignorance of the law excuses no one.) It doesn’t matter if he has a heart of gold. (He broke the law!) And it doesn’t matter what the town attorney said AFTER he illegally signed the First Call contract. (Town Attorney vs. Judge….hmmm…I know which one I trust more.)
Do you really want to support a Mayor that calls citizens who disagree with him a liar in the local newspaper and on Facebook? Who doesn’t follow the state and local laws in place to govern our town? Who violates citizens constitutional rights with secret backroom contracts?
Vote FOR recall of Mayor Dewey and let’s move Stevensville forward.
Jim Crews says
Angela, you are spot on. Their little Secret Society knows that too.
The past 2 years and 10 month have been wrought with deception, hidden item, trying to block council’s access to necessary data and documents.
They still do not have their own laptops, their email is not secure.
The council has to pay for its own internet service, own cell phone service, own office space, own power bills, provide their own computers. Because this mayor does not want council in town hall doing it’s work. So if a council member chooses not to use their services, that means the town has to supply the service and data for the council member to work.
So where is the council’s office and where are their work stations? Where is their free access to the towns ordinances and meeting minutes?
Not going to happen under this administration. This tyrant thinks that the council is an impediment to his agenda. And rightfully so. It should be. Because this mayor by statute is a Weak Mayor. The Council in our form of Government has the power. That is what this mayor try to blow off. He has from the beginning.
Let’s not forget he broke the tie that gave himself a 100% pay raise, that was by the way retroactive for 6 months.
After the election we will know whether the Citizens of the Town of Stevensville have decided they have had enough of this callus behavior, or the majority of the Citizens will have decided to accept and condone the behavior of this elected official.