Black Hawk to set recall election

Lynn Volkens

04/10/2008 - The wheels are in motion for a recall election in Black Hawk. Petitioners Terrence Ballowe, John Boyer and Tom Tyslan, obtained enough valid signatures to force a recall election of Aldermen Linda Armbright, Diane Cales and Kathy Doles. The three women of the Council were elected to office in 2006.

  Black Hawk City Clerk Jeanie Magno said the petitions had been returned in time to meet the April 1 deadline with 24 signatures each for Armbright and Cales, and 22 for Doles. Magno disqualified six signatures from each petition leaving all of them with enough signatures (at least 16) to compel the recall. The number needed is set by state statute at 25% of the number of returned ballots in the election seating the aldermen. There were 62 ballots returned in 2006.

  The recall election has been put on the agenda of the City Council’s May 23^rd meeting. At that time, the Council will set a date to hold the election, most likely in July, said Magno. The petitioners based their recall pursuit on unspecified charges of “ethics.” Some Black Hawk residents and officials have speculated the recall is no more than a back-up plan for the three to again seek office after being defeated in the April 1st election. Ballowe and Boyer were Council candidates. Tyslan sought the Mayor’s seat. None have responded to repeated calls from the Gilpin County News.

  Armbright, Cales and Doles have launched a website, www.BlackHawk-recall.org where citizens can e-mail them with questions or join in a blog. Black Hawk residents are already responding with comments about the April 1 election results and the recall attempt.