For the second time in less than a year, a recall effort is underway in Whitehall.
This time, councilman Gerald Dixon is the target. Dixon faced charges last year of sexually abusing young boys, the charges were later dismissed.
Things got contentious at Tuesday night's city council meeting when a member of the community, Sean Eshleman, was speaking about alleged abuse against one of his family members.
During Eshleman's public comment, Dixon interrupted saying "That is not true. That is defamatory." Council President Thomas Potter cut both of them off, before allowing Eshleman to finish.
"We recognize that allegations and investigations are not findings of guilt, said Tiffany Haver, another resident who spoke at Tuesday's meeting. "However, many residents believe these matters have undermined the trust in his [Dixon] ability to represent our community."
Haver unsuccessfully tried to unseat Dixon last November.
Dixon also spoke during the meeting.
"A lot of people love to say innocent until proven guilty, but they actually don't follow that. It's guilty until proven innocent. And in a lot of the [comments] tonight, I heard a great deal of assumption and speculation, fueling people's attitudes toward me."
Two other people who signed up to speak at the meeting did not say a word, instead choosing to use their three minutes to stare directly at Dixon.
Hours before Tuesday's meeting, a recall recount from a June 23 special election were certified. Council members Lori Elmore and Amy Harcar, along with Mayor Michael Bivens, kept their respective seats.
