CPG confident recall will go to voters

WASILLA — If the Conservative Patriots Group has its way, Steve Menard’s days on the Wasilla City Council are numbered.

The group says it will turn in a petition to the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m., Monday to recall the two-time councilman and recall organizers say they are confident that what could be the city’s first recall election will move forward.

“We’ll have those signatures, and probably more,” said Jennie Bettine, who heads up the Valley based CPG. “We are pretty careful to make sure they’re all valid signatures. Right now, we have about 270.”

That means more than 25 percent of the signatures would have to be thrown out for the recall to be short the 201 signatures required, she said.

The recall was sparked by an August incident at a Sitka hotel, where Menard and other city representatives were staying while attending the summer Alaska Municipal League meetings. When Menard went to check out of the hotel, staff demanded $350 to fix damages to the room, which included a burned mattress, urine on a chair and vomit on the carpet. To avoid law enforcement getting involved, the city paid the damages and demanded repayment from Menard. The councilman has since repaid the bill for damages and reimbursed the city for the entire cost of his trip. He also was sanctioned by the council and restricted from traveling on city business.

Although Menard issued a public apology, which included an acknowledgement of a history of alcohol problems, he has maintained he has a passion for public service and that he can continue to be an effective city councilman.

That’s not enough, said Bettine, who organized the recall effort.

“All we can do is provide the citizens of Wasilla a chance to make the decision about whether they want to see this type of behavior from their representatives,” Bettine said. “I would hope they would say strongly that, no, this is not OK. I have been in Alaska for many, many years. I don’t remember any other situation that was as egregious. When you are in public office, you are representing the people who elected you.”

The CPG urged Menard to resign, but when he didn’t, felt other action needed to be taken to get him out of office, she said. Although Wasilla City Council did not ask for Menard to resign, at least some members believe he should.

Councilwoman Colleen Sullivan-Leonard said not only does she believe Menard should resign, but when the recall petition came to her door, she signed it.

“I said from day one that I felt Mr. Menard should’ve stepped down,” she said. “I believe strongly what he did was ethically wrong and that it’s not something our residents are looking for in a public servant. There is a long list of people who are wanting to serve for the right reasons.”

Menard didn’t return phone calls prior to press time, but he has said in earlier interviews that he is determined to use these events as a catalyst to fight and win his well-documented battle with alcohol.

“I just love being a councilman,” he said. “I love the idea that if somebody has an issue or problem in our city, they can contact me and I can get them to the person who can answer them or answer them myself.”

He said he won’t resign, but would respect the will of the people if they vote him out in a recall.

“They’re going to have to get me kicking and screaming to get out of office,” he said. “I’m more determined than ever. I believe in never quitting. You serve at the will of the people, and if the will of the people changes, I’ll respect their decision. I’m definitely not a quitter.”

If the city clerk certifies the recall petition, it will move on to the city council, which will set a date for a recall election.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.