Petition gatherers hoping to remove Whitehall's mayor and two city council members plan to start collecting signatures this weekend, but aren't explaining why they want the three officials removed from office.
The petition aims to recall Mayor Michael Bivens and Councilmembers Lori Elmore and Amy Harcar. The petition organizers sent a statement to WOSU over the weekend criticizing Bivens, but the group hasn't responded to a request for comment or questions.
It is unclear why organizers Holly Stein and Patricia Balser want to remove the three leaders. Stein is a former candidate for city council.
Bivens criticized the effort in a statement last week, saying "extremist partisan activists" are trying to remove him. He urged residents not to sign the petition.
"Do not be fooled," Bivens wrote. "I humbly ask if you are presented with the recall petitions that you DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR SIGNATURE, YOUR SUPPORT OR YOUR PERSONAL PRIVATE INFORMATION to this divisive, destructive and monumental distraction recall scheme!"
Stein and Balser responded in a statement, alleging Bivens is trying to scare and intimidate voters.
"This is just another example that further demonstrates the lack of discipline, respect for charter and constitutional rights, and overall temperament needed to hold such an office," the statement said.
Stein and Balser have not explained what those other examples are.
"We are not an extremist group, instead we are a grassroots collection of your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, and most importantly, your constituents – the people that voted you into office," the statement said.
A Facebook page created to support removing Bivens, Elmore and Harcar provides some clues to what is motivating the recall. "Whitehall Deserves Better" frequently makes posts criticizing Bivens and using images modified with artificial intelligence to parody the mayor and other city officials including Police Chief Mike Crispen.
The page frequently mentions the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9's ongoing dispute with the city. The dispute also relates to Councilmember Gerald Dixon.
Dixon was accused last year of sexually abusing a minor and soliciting prostitution from a minor. Those charged were dropped, but Crispen said he plans to put the matter before a grand jury after his office finishes its investigation.
Dixon was the FOP's ally on council. He introduced legislation to investigate the Whitehall Police Department last year amid the dispute.
Harcar sponsored the late 2025 motion to expel Dixon from council while Bivens and Elmore supported it.
The Facebook page accuses Bivens of wasting taxpayer money on lawsuits between the city and the FOP.
The social media page also accuses Bivens of accepting campaign donations from outside Whitehall.
