(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A petition has been submitted to recall Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham, claiming fiscal irresponsibility and failure to address critical issues, among other grounds.
According to the petition, which was submitted to the City on Tuesday, March 4, some electors in the City of Pueblo are unhappy with Mayor Graham’s performance in the Office of the Mayor, and are calling for a recall election and a mayoral replacement election to be held.
The petition alleges numerous failures and omissions on the Mayor’s part, including stripping funding from nonprofits, retaliation against opposition using police and fire department staff, and allowing illegal ordinances to be proposed, causing costly legal consequences for the city. The petition also claims Graham spends “extensive time on social media… during council meetings.”
Full list of grounds cited in the petition for recall:
Failure to show fiscal responsibility with the City’s budget, $2M acquisition/remodel of a 650 Dittmer Ave, proposing $1,000/sq. ft + facility projects, giving extravagant raises to and/or hiring unnecessary staff.
Stripping funding away from nonprofits while simultaneously squandering taxpayer money.
Failure to reduce crime down to comparable statewide levels.
Using police and fire department staff to retaliate against small business owners and others who oppose her.
Disregard for historic preservation.
Allowing illegal ordinances and practices to be proposed, leading to costly legal expenses.
Failure to address Pueblo’s critically unhoused population crisis, dispersing people from encampments into downtown and residential areas without a plan or adequate shelter in place.
Ordering demolition in a contaminated EPA Superfund site without regard to public health or applicable laws.
Spending extensive time on social media (Facebook, etc.) during City Council meetings.
Failure to address fuel pricing and the monopoly that’s causing Puebloans to pay approximately 40-50 cents/gallon more than surrounding cities.
Refusal to listen to her constituents’ complaints and suggestions.
Proposing a grocery tax on Pueblo residents who are already struggling with record level food costs.
The City confirmed to FOX21 News that the City Clerk and Law Office have until Monday, March 10 to review and approve the petition before it can be circulated for signatures.
Mayor Graham issued a statement on the petition, which can be read below:
The electors are the sole and exclusive judges of the legality, reasonableness and sufficiency of the “removal on the grounds assigned for recall.” Last time I checked, cleaning up the City, addressing homelessness, reducing crime and bringing transparency and accountability to government is what I was overwhelmingly elected by 65% of the vote to do, and it is what I will continue to do for the next 2.5 years. I take exception to the false information being presented to the electors and I encourage the community to do your research.
Mayor Heather Graham
