Lithonia mayor recall petition
takes next step
by Andy Phelan
andy@dekalbchamp.com
McKibben |
And so the saga continues.
The high drama, fueled by city of Lithonia’s dysfunction, took another step this week after a group calling itself Citizens and Businesses for Better Government submitted a petition to recall much-maligned Mayor Joyce McKibben.
McKibben was elected last fall by 76 votes -- two more than her opponent Rhonda Peek.
The Director of DeKalb County’s Voter Registration and Elections office Linda Latimore acknowledged she’s received the petition on Aug. 11.
Latimore said her office would now have to verify that everyone who signed the petition – 450 people -- lives within the city limits. She said she has 30 days to complete the task.
“They needed 330 signatures, and they got 450,” Latimore said.
If confirmed, Latimore said a special election will be held for residents to vote either “Yes” the mayor should go or “No” she should stay.
“If more than half the voters say “yes” then we open up qualifying again and start all over,” said Latimore, who indicated all the recalls and special elections would cost taxpayers of DeKalb County about $5,000.
“That’s a considerable sum,” said Latimore. “And that’s a low figure.”
Mayor McKibben could not be reached for this story, but her troubles began almost immediately after taking office in January.
First her residency was challenged then the validity of her election win. Just a couple weeks into her tenure, McKibben said she feared for her life after State Sen. Ronald Ramsey told the mayor that Lithonia concert promoter Jason Lary had threatened her life over the concert series contract.
Magistrate Judge Glen Galbaugh dismissed the case in April, saying there was no evidence Lary ever threatened McKibben.
Then McKibben locked heads with some members of city council members and Police Chief Willie Rosser.
She tried to fire the chief for what she said was impropriety but it was overturned by the council, which at one point had the mayor’s associates arrested. Squabbles over payroll, business licenses and who has the power in Lithonia – the mayor or council – threatened to nearly shutdown this city of 2,000 people in southeast DeKalb.
“The mayor refuses to conduct city business,” said concert promoter Jason Lary, who is part of the recall group but does not live in the city. “The heavy lifting was getting the signatures,” he said. “People were calling us asking where they could sign.”
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