Special Counsel Will Handle Recall Issues

Asare under way, the city will hire an outside legal firm to handle any questions it may have about the process.

The Common Council met Tuesday night to discuss the option, with questions on what the limits of the outside counsel would be. Residents also posed similar questions during a public input session.

"The aldermen and the mayor should have a right to counsel, however, I don't feel it should be done at the taxpayer's expense," said resident Henry Plum.

However, Finance Director Sharon Mueller clarified that should there be an issue with the sufficiency of the paperwork or submitted signatures, that the clerk's office would use the to craft a response from the city. She said no individuals that are targeted by the recalls would use their services, and noted that Maistelman was used in previous recalls in the city for the same purpose.

The council approved the measure on a 5-0 vote. Keith Werner and Neomone Schaumberg, the two aldermen targeted for recall, abstained from voting.