Recall effort fizzles

Two weeks ahead of a signature-gathering deadline, the citizens behind the effort to recall Councilman Karl Ory and Mayor Randall Stone announced that they were abandoning the endeavor.

In a statement the CN&R obtained from recall organizer Nichole Nava, the group says it was motivated by the city changing to district-based elections (see About-face). This could mean Stone and Ory would run against one another, the statement says, which “would have a potentially significant impact on a special recall election process.”

The group, which had raised over $10,000, said it instead will focus on backing 2020 election candidates who support public safety, improved roadways, “common sense housing and consolidated wrap-around services for the homeless.”

In response, Ory posted a statement on his Facebook page: “It’s been a needless distraction. … Back to city business.”