News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Gilbert mayor recall group files petitions
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
RECALL BEGINS: Gilbert activist Fred Phillis displays a portion of the 1,208 petition names he filed with the Town Hall to force a recall election of Gilbert mayor Steve Berman.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
The group campaigning to recall Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman filed its petitions with the town clerk's office Thursday. The group behind the recall drive, End Corruption in Gilbert, submitted 1,208 signatures Thursday, according to the group's leader, Fred Phillis.
Deadline arrives for Berman recall signatures
Berman refuses to retract campaign fliers
Chat or grudge match? Berman, editor to meet
The group needed 981 valid signatures by Thursday to force a special election, Town Clerk Cathy Templeton said.
But a political consultant hired by Berman claims Phillis' group fell short by nearly 1,200 signatures according to state law.
"There's going to be no recall because they don't even have anywhere near the signatures they need to qualify," said Berman campaign spokesman Chris Baker.
Templeton said the 981 figure is based on Gilbert's May 2007 election and has been verified by town attorneys.
The town clerk's office now has 10 days to verify the signatures before forwarding the petitions to the Maricopa County Elections Office, which will then have 60 days to verify every signature and eliminate those deemed invalid.
If the petitions are verified, an election must be held within 90 days. Phillis said his group has no candidates to run against Berman, but hopes "someone will step up."
Regardless, the recall effort, which officially began in February, is seen by many as a personal battle between Berman and Phillis more than anything else.
"He's just got it in for Berman, I think," said Councilman Don Skousen, who has backed Berman's opponents in the last two elections. "And Berman's got it in for (Phillis)."
And some business owners and local leaders fear the continued feud will create image problems for the town.
"Business owners particularly are the one who have expressed this," said former Gilbert mayor Cynthia Dunham, who now leads the Leadership Centre.
Whether they agree with the recall push or not, business owners whom Dunham has heard from worry about political signs that claim corruption exists in Gilbert.
"They felt that did not shine well on the town and that could hurt business," Dunham said.
Councilwoman Joan Krueger said she hopes companies considering a move to Gilbert will do their homework when it comes to the town's economic potential.
"I think they could easily see this as a discussion between two gentlemen, basically," Krueger said.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: