Tulsa Mayor enters recall effort fray

Wednesday, October 13th 2004, 1:12 pm

By: News On 6

The recall effort by a group of about 25 people focuses on councilors Chris Medlock and Jim Mautino. Mayor Bill LaFortune called the city council controversy and the recall effort divisive and harmful to the city.

Medlock says he is pleased with LaFortune's stand against the recall. "It's a manufactured crisis that really occurred because the group that's been in power for the past 20 years that always had a majority of the council suddenly doesn't have it now."

LaFortune said "The members of the city council have all been elected by the citizens of their respective districts to represent them on city issues. The citizens spoke when they elected the current council." Debate over issues including an annexation effort, water sales and property condemnations have led to the recall effort by a group called Citizens for Responsible Government 2004.