Cottonwood voters will decide on Tuesday, Nov. 5, whether to recall Cottonwood City Councilwoman Lisa DuVernay and replace her with Christopher Dowell.
The general election ballot demanding the recall of DuVernay lists three reasons for her removal from office:
■ On Aug. 8, 2023, DuVernay showed pornographic video at a Cottonwood City Council meeting. There were children present.
■ DuVernay also appeared to threaten legal action against the city if the mayor did not instruct staff to draft a city ordinance that had already been voted down by the majority of the council.
■ On Oct. 3, 2023, when concerns were expressed about the appearance of nepotism if her husband sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, DuVernay insisted she would abstain from voting on any issue on which it might appear inappropriate. She then voted her husband onto the commission.
Because DuVernay does not appear to understand the policies and procedures of the council and city staff and because she does not appear to be concerned about wasting taxpayer dollars in pursuit of her personal agenda, the recall vote seeks to determine if she should continue to serve on the City Council, the recall petition concludes. The term expires in 2026.
Recall election challenger, Christopher Dowell
Christopher Dowell filed Sept. 6 to run against Cottonwood City Councilman Lisa DuVernay in the recall election. Voters will either vote for DuVernay to retain her in office or vote for Dowell to remove DuVernay and replace her with Dowell.
If retained, DuVernay will serve to the end of her term in 2026. If recalled, DuVernay will be removed from office after the official election canvass and Dowell will serve the remainder of the term to 2026.
Christopher Dowell’s Background
■ Years in Cottonwood: “I have called Cottonwood home for over seven years, though my connection to this area runs deeper. My father’s family settled in Prescott, Cottonwood and the Verde Valley in the 1950s before eventually moving to Phoenix. My wife’s family has also been part of the Verde Valley community since the 1960s. Twenty-five years ago, my wife and I were married in the Clarkdale Gazebo.”
■ Age: 53
■ Current or past profession: “Law enforcement officer and executive.”
■ Why are you qualified to serve on council? “I am well-qualified to serve on the Cottonwood City Council due to my extensive dedication to community service and professional experience. My journey began in the U.S. Army, where I enlisted as a military police officer after high school. After eight years of service, I returned to Arizona and joined the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, serving for over 20 years and rising to the rank of lieutenant. During my career, I held leadership roles in the Bureau of Internal Oversight, SWAT and narcotics and served as the acting chief of police for the city of Youngtown.
“In 2017, I joined the Cottonwood Police Department, progressing from patrol officer to commander and interim chief of police. I initiated programs like the Police Aide Program, which helps local youth start their law enforcement careers, and the Outreach Service Officer position, which supports the homeless while holding them accountable. Today, I serve as the deputy chief of police for the Sedona Police Department.
“Community service has always been a priority for me. I’ve volunteered at Phoenix General Hospital, coached youth sports and served on the city of Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission and numerous charitable boards, including the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition and Verde Valley Humane Society.
“I hold a bachelor of arts in criminal justice and have completed numerous advanced leadership trainings, including through Northwestern University and the U.S. Army. Additionally, I became a small business owner this year, further deepening my commitment to the community. With this experience, I am confident in my ability to contribute to the Cottonwood City Council and help shape our community’s future.”
Recall Questions
■ Respond to: “On Aug. 8, 2023, City Council member Lisa DuVernay showed pornographic video at the Cottonwood City Council meeting. There were children present.”
Answer: “I was present at the meeting in a law enforcement capacity the night Councilwoman DuVernay played the video. I was immediately appalled that a council member would choose to show such a video at a public meeting, particularly with children and youth in attendance — ironically exposing them to the content she claimed to be trying to protect them from. As both a police officer and a command officer, I was deeply concerned about the potential escalation in a large, standing-room-only crowd. Her actions put law enforcement in a challenging position, as we were responsible for keeping the peace among a group visibly passionate about the issue.
“I was also ashamed that someone elected to represent our community would display such a video, seemingly with the intent to provoke unrest or disorderly conduct between opposing groups. I felt the video was shown purely for shock value, to incite conflict rather than foster productive discussion.”
■ Respond to: “She [DuVernay] also appeared to threaten legal action against the city if the mayor did not instruct staff to draft a city ordinance which had already been voted against by the majority of the council.”
Answer: “I, again, attended the meeting where Councilwoman DuVernay made this statement. However, I wasn’t surprised, as by this point, I had become familiar with her bullying and coercive behavior. From my perspective, she seems more focused on governing through intimidation and shock tactics rather than promoting an environment of civility and collaboration.
“I have witnessed her use of these intimidation and bullying tactics with city employees and I even brought this issue to the attention of the current city manager. It often feels like she would rather entangle the city in litigation than allow it to move forward with the vital work of serving the people.”
■ Respond to: “On Oct. 3, 2023, when concerns were expressed about the appearance of nepotism if her husband [Michael DuVernay] sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, [Lisa] DuVernay insisted she would abstain from voting on any issue on which it might appear inappropriate. She then voted her husband onto P&Z.”
Answer: “I witnessed both her initial abstain [sic] statement and her vote to place him on the commission. Honestly, I was perplexed by her decision, as he had the necessary votes without her support and his qualifications spoke for themselves. She could have easily abstained and maintained some trust with her constituents.”
■ In sum, why should DuVernay be removed from office?
Answer: “Councilwoman DuVernay should be removed from office due to her disruptive behavior while serving on the council. Her actions suggest she may have political aspirations beyond the city council.
“Rather than demonstrating leadership through effective governance, she seems more focused on grabbing headlines with shock tactics and intimidation. She appears to be heavily influenced by a fringe group within the community, many of whom don’t even reside within the city limits.
“As a result, she fails to represent the broader interests of all our citizens. Council members must consider diverse perspectives and not cater exclusively to one group. It’s time to refocus on the city’s business and prioritize the needs of all residents.”
Additional Questions
■ What would be your focus on council for the remaining term?
Answer: “My priorities for the remaining two years of the term would be to collaborate with the new city council members and the mayor to hire a third-party management firm to help select a permanent city manager. We must refocus on the business of the city’s citizens by being present at council meetings — something that has been lacking, as Councilwoman DuVernay has attended only 50% of meetings this past year.
“I would also work with the council to find a solution for a new city hall. This issue must be addressed because we are losing talented employees and strong job candidates due to poor working conditions.
“Lastly, I feel it’s time to move city operations out of Old Town and encourage the growth of more small businesses in that area.”
■ How will you rebuild public trust and confidence in Cottonwood City Council after the recall election?
Answer: “Rebuilding public trust and confidence starts with fostering transparency, open communication and collaboration. My priority will be fully engaging in city business, attending meetings regularly and making decisions based on the best interests of all residents, not just select groups.
“Additionally, I believe it’s essential to prioritize accountability and responsiveness. I will actively encourage open forums, such as town hall meetings that conform to opening meeting laws where citizens can voice their concerns directly to the council and ensure that we follow through on addressing those concerns and meeting future goals.
“Ultimately, trust is earned through action. By demonstrating a clear commitment to serving the entire community with integrity, fairness and dedication, I am confident we can restore public faith in the Cottonwood City Council.”
Recall election subject, Cottonwood City Councilwoman Lisa DuVernay
Cottonwood City Councilwoman Lisa DuVernay was elected in an uncontested race in 2022. Petitioners secured signatures in March to recall her. Cottonwood City Council members scheduled two special meetings in May to set the date for the election on July 30, but council lacked a quorum due to the absence of four council members, including DuVernay, so council was unable to set the vote by the state election deadline.
At a subsequent meeting after the deadline, City Council set the election for Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Lisa DuVernay’s Background
■ Years in Cottonwood: Five years
■ Age: 56
■ Current or past profession: “Owner and CEO of sales at robotics design and manufacturing company for 19 years. Now retired.”
■ Why are you qualified to serve on council? “Bachelor of arts in economics, bachelor of computer science in computer programming. With 19 years of experience as the owner and CEO of a robotics design and manufacturing company in a small community, I’ve learned how to listen carefully and make thoughtful, informed decisions. I understand the importance of transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. I will continue to bring these skills to Cottonwood to ensure our local government listens to citizens, operates efficiently, manages taxpayer dollars responsibly and focuses on what matters most to our community.”
Recall Questions
■ Respond to: “On Aug. 8, 2023, City Council member Lisa DuVernay showed pornographic video at the Cottonwood City Council meeting. There were children present.”
Answer: “The video I showed was from an actual, family-friendly, all-ages drag show. It was important for the community to see exactly what they might be signing up for with events like these, especially in public spaces.
“The video was not intended to be offensive, but rather to provide transparency and context for the decision-making process.”
■ Respond to: “She [DuVernay] also appeared to threaten legal action against the city if the mayor did not instruct staff to draft a city ordinance which had already been voted against by the majority of the council.”
Answer: “I make no apology for using my own money to address the concerns of over 300 citizens who reached out to me about this issue because their voices had been ignored. It’s not unusual for a council member to request a draft ordinance for the council to consider.
“Offering to cover the cost of drafting an ordinance is not the same as threatening legal action and a draft is just that; a proposal to be reviewed by the entire council.”
■ Respond to: “On Oct. 3, 2023, when concerns were expressed about the appearance of nepotism if her husband [Michael DuVernay] sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission, [Lisa] DuVernay insisted she would abstain from voting on any issue on which it might appear inappropriate. She then voted her husband onto P&Z.”
Answer: “I made it clear that I would abstain from voting on any matters where my husband’s involvement might present a conflict, not from appointing him to the committee. Cottonwood needs to make better use of all the talent available and there is no code or law preventing a council member’s family from serving on advisory boards. However, my husband has since voluntarily stepped down to eliminate any appearance of a conflict of interest.”
State Law Fact Check: Arizona Revised Statute §38-481.A states, “It is unlawful, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, for an executive, legislative, ministerial or judicial officer” — defined in §38-481.C as “all officials of the state, or of any county or incorporated city within the state” — “to appoint or vote for appointment of any person related to him by affinity or consanguinity within the third degree … to work for, suggest, arrange or be a party to the appointment of any person in consideration of the appointment of a person related to him within the degree provided by this section.”
Arizona Revised Statute §38-481.B states, “Any executive, legislative, ministerial or judicial officer who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.”
The degrees of “affinity” is a relationship by marriage, such as spouse, stepchildren, adopted children, spouse’s parents or children’s spouses (1st degree), spouse’s siblings or spouse’s parents (2nd degree) and spouse’s grandchildren, spouse’s grandparents, grandparents’ spouses and grandchildren’s spouses (3rd degree). The degrees of “consanguinity,” or relationship by blood, is a biological relationship to children and parents (1st degree), siblings, grandparents and grandchildren (2nd degree), and nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts (3rd degree).
■ In sum, why should you be retained in office?
Answer: “I believe I should be retained on the council because of my commitment to serving the community with integrity, transparency and dedication. Throughout my time on the council, I have consistently prioritized the needs and concerns of our citizens, advocating for responsible fiscal policies and upholding city codes. I have dedicated countless hours to studying city codes, which in the past have often been treated as mere suggestions.
“My aim is to consistently and fairly apply these regulations by thoroughly understanding and respecting them. This commitment to upholding the rule of law is essential for maintaining accountability and trust in our local government.”
Additional Questions
■ What would be your focus on council for the remaining term?
Answer: “I believe I should be retained on the council because of my steadfast commitment to providing Cottonwood’s taxpayers with responsible governance and value for their hard-earned money. While I may sometimes stand in the minority, I have consistently prioritized sound governance, fiscal responsibility and transparency. I have spent countless hours studying and understanding city codes, which have too often been overlooked or improperly applied.
“By ensuring that decisions are made with careful due diligence, I aim to protect the community from costly mistakes, like the ongoing lawsuits involving the former police chief [Steve Gesell] and [notice of claim by] former [current] Councilman Derek Palosaari. My role on the council is to be a voice for fairness, accountability and thoughtful decision-making, ensuring that Cottonwood’s citizens can rely on their local government to act in their best interests.”
■ How will you rebuild public trust and confidence in Cottonwood City Council after the recall election?
Answer: “Restoring public trust and confidence in the council is my top priority. Recent missteps — such as improper appointments and poorly-considered decisions — have undermined that trust. I understand that Cottonwood’s taxpayers need to feel confident that their local government is acting responsibly and with integrity. By emphasizing transparency, due diligence and a commitment to upholding city codes, I will ensure that every decision is carefully considered, avoiding costly mistakes that harm our community — such as the $17 million water treatment plant that still doesn’t work or the proposed $27 million city hall.
“While I may not always have the majority on the council, taxpayers can always rely on me to be a voice for accountability, fairness and professionalism. My goal is to ensure that Cottonwood’s government operates efficiently and transparently, working collaboratively with both the council and the community to rebuild trust and avoid disasters like this in the future.”
