Statement from Bruce George:
“$30,000 dollars! That is a lot of money to me … and I believe to the residents of Camp Verde. When I was elected I had no personal agenda and only wanted to help make Camp Verde a better place to live and raise families. I never had any ulterior motives to either promote deals or prevent projects from being completed. This is money that could be used to pay for the new playground equipment at Butler Park or help pay for the much needed roof on the gym or even to install new fire hydrants. This is a unique situation in that the election is only about recalling me so if I am not on council there will be no recall election and the town will save the $30,000. We will still be out the attorney’s fees but that can’t be helped. So in order for the town to move forward I hereby resign my position on the council.”
Camp Verde Vice Mayor Bruce George, facing a recall election, resigned from the Camp Verde Town Council Monday, Nov. 9, effective immediately.
The recall election had been cancelled earlier this year by the Town Council when it was discovered the petitions used to collect signatures were a little out-of-date and not in compliance with recent changed state election law.
Cheri Wischmeyer, along with her political committee, Camp Verde for Good Government, challenged the cancellation of the recall election in Yavapai County Superior Court.
Councilwoman Robin Whatley and Jesse Murdock had also been targets of the recall, but the group wasn’t able to collect enough valid signatures to have their seats placed on the ballot.
Mayor Charlie German was also initially a target but the committee decided it would take too many signatures to recall the mayor, which requires more signatures than other members of the Town Council.
All four voted for a 0.65 percent sales tax increase in January, a reason the committee cited for seeking a recall.
Last week, Judge David Mackey found that the town had acted illegally when it canceled the recall, an election that had already been held by Town Clerk Virginia Jones.
The election, scheduled for March 8, was scheduled to be put back on the ballot.
Jones said the election would cost the town around $30,000.
Instead of having the town pay for than because of one man, George said he opted to resign instead.
“I had to make a decision,” George said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a few sleepless nights and I’m the only one this election is about.”
George was first elected to the Town Council in 2011. His four-year term was extended to 2016 in order to bring the town’s election cycle into compliance with a newer state law that requires local elections to be held in even-numbered years.
As for his time on the council, George said he has learned a lot.
“It’s been frustrating, challenging but worthwhile and I think I’ve grown as a person,” George said. “I have more self-confidence and I think I’m better at public speaking.”
George said he didn’t accomplish everything he would have liked to but that he will still continue to help out with things in town, including his work with the Camp Verde Senior Center.
“I’m still thinking on ideas about how I can help to serve.”
Jones said that the Town Council will now look to fill George’s seat, in accordance with state law, and start the process of accepting letters of interest form potential candidates.
Mark Lineberger can be reached at 567-3341 or email CVEditor@larsonnewspapers.com
