Story Created:
Jun 22, 2009 at 1:23 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jun 22, 2009 at 10:13 PM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica Monday Nite will have a bit more red, white and blue than usual tonight. The group, called United Friends of Utica, New York, plans to be at the event Monday at Utica's City Hall to try and collect signatures to recall Utica Mayor David Roefaro and they will be wearing red, white and blue tee shirts. The group also recently created a website called www.recalluticamayorroefaro.us
Leader of the group, William Newell says he started this venture after last week's appointment of Public Safety Commissioner Daniel LaBella as Utica's Police Chief. LaBella got the job despite scoring lower on a civil service exam than two other candidates. LaBella was appointed by Utica Mayor David Roefaro.
Roefaro all along has pointed to the fact that while LaBella was Safety Commissioner, he was also acting Police Chief, and during that time, crime has dropped to a nine-year low.
"I will be the Mayor for many years to come," Roefaro said Monday in an interview.
When asked Monday about the groups' recall venture, Mayor Roefaro said "They have a right to free speech...I can honestly tell you that when the dust settles there will be no recall...there will be no recall."
And when asked why he believes that, he said "you will all learn why, but there will be no recall."
Are there political reasons why, the mayor was asked.
"No, I can't really comment any more on that," Roefaro responded.
Newell, who lives in South Utica, needs to collect about 2,800 signatures within a 30-day period in order to go further with the recall process. Newell says that process started on Sunday, so the group has 28 days left.
When asked why the group chose Utica Monday Nite, Newell said "It brings out the citizens of Utica which is well diversified. We felt it was right here on the Mayor's doorstep, and what better place to use than the Mayor's front door."
If the group does get the required number of signatures, then each of those signatures must be verified as to whether or not they represent an actual voter in the City of Utica.
If that all happens, the petition will be handed over to Utica's Common Council, which according to the City Ordinance regarding recalling an elected official, will then "order the holding of a special election."
That special election to decide whether to recall the Mayor would take place between 30 and 60 days from when the Council orders the election.
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