GERVAIS, Ore. — On Tuesday, voters in the small town of Gervais will decide whether or not to recall the city mayor and several city council members. As of Tuesday evening, with 29% of registered voters counted, many seem to be in favor so far.
The debate has been a hot topic in town, where voters on both sides hold strong opinions.
"I mean our council is doing a great job," voter Kathy Duncan said.
"What we need is a change in here,” Joe Ruiz, a former councilmember and voter, countered. “There's just too much friction."
Voters and city leaders told KGW that the push to recall city leaders began in February after the city council fired Gervais’ police chief. The decision came after an investigation into complaints that Chief Mark Chase violated city harassment and discrimination policies.
Still, some voters disagreed with the firing.
"Everybody here loved Chief," Ruiz said.
"We loved our chief,” Kisty Bastidas, another Gervais, voter added. “We loved him."
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Since the firing, Mayor Annie Gilland said a group called for her recall, claiming Gilland hired friends, violated the city charter and spent upwards of $50,000 on attorney fees. Gilland provided documentation, refuting those claims.
"We can debunk every allegation that they have made," Gilland said.
"False statements. It's not true," Gervais City Council Member Robb Ladd said of the claims made in the recall petition.
Giland and Ladd said the people organizing the recall are former council members. Gilland claims they have harassed and cyberbullied her for years.
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Regardless, voters are slowly dropping off ballots in front of Gervais City Hall. Many have already made up their mind on the recall vote.
"We're ready for a change here in Gervais," Bastidas said.
"I kind of feel like this is retaliation," Kathy Duncan said of the recall.
If voters do vote for a recall, there is concern among city leaders over what the impact could be on city government. The recall would affect not only the mayor but the majority of city council members, leading city leaders to worry that city business could stagnate for months.