LA VETA- Last Wednesday, a group of five people filed a petition with the La Veta Town Clerk Nancy Culbreath to begin recall proceedings against Town Trustee Dawn Blanken.
Kelly Popejoy, Mac McAnally, Don Lowell and Jim and Jeanne Keffeler are the committee that filed the paperwork.
Blanken was elected in 2008 to a four-year term, and so was not up for re-election in the last turbulent cycle where both Lowell and McAnally lost.
The petition accuses Blanken of gross misconduct in office and failing to uphold the duties of a Trustee.
The recall group however, did not dot their i’s and cross their t’s, so to speak. Their petition was filled out incorrectly, and needed to be re-submited to the Town Clerk for the process to be legitimate. The recall group resubmitted this Tuesday morning, and it was officially received.
Blanken has pointed out that the cost of legally reviewing the petition will have to be borne by the Town of La Veta, as would any other legal costs defending her or holding another election (a typical election costs $1,500. Lawyer fees are $250 an hour.)
Blanken herself is reticent to discuss the matter until she knows more. “I don’t know why they’re doing this,” she said. “I haven’t heard from any of them. According to case law however, they don’t have to state any specific reason why they’re doing this.”
To gauge the public’s mood on the matter, please see our Letters to Editor section on page 5.
