Another article on the Chandler Recall

Newszap has a new article by Tommy Acosta that appeared in the Chandler Independent:

While the dust settles in the aftermath of the forced resignation of Chandler City Manager Mark Pentz, citizens have launched a campaign to recall two city council members involved in the ouster.

Chandler resident Ray Pilara announced plans to recall Chandler City Council members Martin Sepulveda and Matt Orlando and put the question on the November general election ballot whether the two councilmen, like Mr.Pentz, should stay or go.

“Frankly put, I was (so upset) after seeing how these two council members treated Mark Pentz,” Mr. Pilara said. “What really got me was listening to the diatribe these two men and two lame duck council members launched against him. When I heard them going after Mr. Pentz for no logical reason I smelled a rat. I believe they had a plan to nail Mr. Pentz during his review no matter what. I got ticked when I saw them overtly trying to screw him.”

...“Average just doesn’t cut it,” Councilman Sepulveda said of the city manager’s performance evaluation. “I used a quantifiable tool provided by a consultant that showed his performance as average. The city manager is a very affable man. I believe he’s not good enough for Chandler.”

Councilman Sepulveda said he is not afraid of a recall; contention in the council is not new to him.

“This is not my first rodeo,” Councilman Sepulveda said. “I spoke out as a council member against the round up in 1997 against a very popular council and mayor. I got threatened then as well. If I did what I did that’s my decision. If people are unhappy with my decision and want to recall me — that’s their prerogative.”

As Jake notes, it appears that Mayor Dunn's comments serve to lobby against candidate Becky Jackson. However, it's a good bet that, should the recall be successful, all three of the current runoff candidates would likely end up on the Council before year's end. Two by election in May and the third by special election (barring outright appointment) following November's recall.

Ray Pilara's responses to my emails were posted on this blog a few days ago. I'm hoping to speak with Councilman Orlando in the next few days.