Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and two City Council members are likely to face a special election to remove them from their seats following a successful recall petition.
Whitehall City Attorney Brad Nicodemus told WOSU Tuesday the city found three petitions submitted in mid-March were "sufficient," forcing the city council to set a special election for the three seats. The petitions target Bivens and City Council members Amy Harcar and Lori Elmore.
Nicodemus said the city council is expected to set a date for the special election at its next meeting on April 7.
Petitioners submitted nearly 500 signatures to the city and needed 424 valid signatures, which was met.
Bivens, Harcar and Elmore can also choose to resign in the next five days to avoid a special election for the seat.
Petition organizers Patricia Balser and Holly Stein said in a statement on Facebook the recall process is an opportunity for new leadership and a better form of local governance that prioritizes transparency, responsible spending and respect for the rights of residents.
The petition language states residents took issue with Bivens' ongoing disputes with the regional police union, the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9.
Bivens said in a statement when the recall petition was submitted that it is unwarranted and is being pushed by political extremists supporting hateful and divisive agendas. Harcar and Elmore also criticized the petitions.
