Troy City Councilman addresses mayor recall

Letter to the Editor, and the Citizens of Troy,

With the attempted recall of the mayor led by two members of the Troy City Council and a local attorney, I think a few facts may prove interesting.

Do you know who will pay for the recall election?  YOU, the citizens and taxpayers of Troy will pay for it. 

Do you know what these same people have in mind for your future, among other things?  I was handed a paper at the last council meeting, by the president of the council, concerning the disincorporation of the City of Troy. 

Disincorporation would mean, among other things, Troy will have NO police department.  No city services, including snow removal, street repair.  NO fire department. NO Ambulance.  NO local electric service.  Is this part of what two members of YOUR City Council, and a local attorney, have in mind for you? 

These are the same people who you can thank for Troy having no animal-control officer.  Or, could this be an attempt to reorganize city government, add a council member, eliminate the mayor’s position and regain control of the council?

One of the charges they are basing their recall is the changing of existing city codes being updated up by the codifier.  These same people actually tried to do the same thing.  Changing things so they would have total control over the police department and city workers, among other things.

Another is the check the mayor  cashed for expenses to a mayors’ conference.  By code the city is required to cover our mayor’s expenses for these sessions.  You realize that the mayor’s position has no salary or benefits.  What are they expecting the mayor to use to attend official conferences or training?

As for the construction project, it is funded by an anonymous benefactor.  It is for the good of the citizens of Troy.  It has been professionally engineered.  This is an example of micro-managing by some members of the council and the delay is NOT in the best interest of the citizens they claim to represent.

In my opinion, the real motive of this whole recall is to make the mayor look bad, get rid of him and re-establish their control of Troy city government. 

By the behavior of “said” members and their attorney, nothing is being done to move the city forward, but to create gridlock and impede progress. 

I also feel Crystal Denton and I were not expected to win the election, so these people would continue to be in control.  Crystal and I ran because we believe the City Council is here for the good of the City of Troy and its people. 

I believe there is a different agenda on the part of some of the current Council and a local attorney.

Finally, I believe the root of this whole thing lies in control and power. 

I am afraid that some good people working for the city will find their jobs gone or in jeopardy if this is allowed to continue.  This is why I oppose the recall of the mayor.

To everyone, Council and mayor: Whatever happened to working together for the good of the city?

— Joe Arts

Troy