Two Tulsa city councilors who are the target of a recall petition speak out

Two Tulsa city councilors facing a recall believe it's because they question what happens at city hall. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the organizer of a petition against them says

Wednesday, December 8th 2004, 10:10 am

By: News On 6

Two Tulsa city councilors facing a recall believe it's because they question what happens at city hall.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the organizer of a petition against them says his group is asking questions too, about the councilorâ€™s performance.

Councilors Jim Mautino[pictured right] and Chris Medlock[pictured left] believe the reasons they were elected are still valid - even as they face a possible recall. Chris Medlock: "We're under a full force onslaught of public relations for the stands we've taken and those stands are consistent with the ones we made when we ran for office."

The recall petition was circulated by a group that has an address but no office - just a mail drop in south Tulsa. The group is represented by attorney Herbert Haschke Jr and chaired by Jon Davidson, the manager of the Sheraton Tulsa Hotel.

Davidson said Mautino and Medlock have "created a situation where Tulsa is a laughingstock". And that the Coalition "is only asking the question" if they should stay in office.

Medlock and Mautino formed their own coalition to fight the recall.

The city council controversy started as soon as they were sworn in. Councilor Medlock and three new members skipped their first official meeting and met at the downtown Arby's to talk about changing the way things had always been done.

Medlock and Mautino believe they're being targeted in an effort to stop the investigation of Great Plains Airlines. Jim Mautino: "once that investigation comes out, there's going to be a lot of people involved who are going to be embarrassed."

The group working on the petition plans to work quickly to get the remaining signatures they need, so a recall election can happen as soon as next March.

The city clerk's office has 15 days to draft the petition that would force a recall election. If either councilor is recalled, it would require another election to replace them.