New opposition is being voiced in the effort to recall two Tulsa city council members

Three local groups are banding together in what they call a bi-partisan effort to defeat the recall. <br/><br/>Leaders of the Tulsa NAACP, League of Women Voters and the Tulsa County Republican Party

Thursday, December 16th 2004, 12:14 pm

By: News On 6

Three local groups are banding together in what they call a bi-partisan effort to defeat the recall.

Leaders of the Tulsa NAACP, League of Women Voters and the Tulsa County Republican Party say the recall attempt has no merit. They say they don't oppose the idea of a recall, but that it should be based on something substantive.

The group circulating the recall petition, the Coalition for Responsible Government, accuses councilors Chris Medlock and Jim Mautino of stunting Tulsa's growth, after debate on issues including an annexation effort, property condemnations and water sales.

Opponents of the recall say the move is an attempt to stifle debate among council members, part of their job as elected officials. Mary Jo Neal with the Tulsa League of Women Voters: "Who would want to run for office and be subjected to this vitriolic, divisive sort of behavior?"

Opponents of the recall say while state law requires more to go on for a recall effort, the Tulsa city charter is less specific, and in their opinion should be amended.