Not all recalls are created equal

Is anyone else starting to wonder if Houston city-style politics are contagious?

It seems lately our other local government bodies have been infected with a bad case of recall-itis. In Houston, trying to oust the mayor has almost become a yearly tradition; a kin to Founders Day and the annual salmon run on the recall-itus.

But now that both the city of Wasilla and the Mat-Su Borough are mulling applications for petitions to recall local politicians from office, we wonder if the fever has spread down the Parks Highway.

Starting with the assembly: Assemblyman Warren Keogh was kind of in an impossible position when he came to office.

Usibelli Coal Mine has already announced it was looking at mining for coal near Sutton. That’s kind of the heart of Keogh’s district and opinion there is divided with both sides loudly expressing strong opinions.

No matter how Keogh voted on an assembly resolution in support of the mine, a significant segment of his constituents would oppose his decision. As is, Keogh voted against the borough resolution endorsing the mine and that, it seems, was enough for the pro-coal faction to fire up the recall train.

But it wasn’t enough for the borough clerk, however. Clerk Lonnie McKechnie wrote in a letter issued Friday that the grounds for Keogh’s recall were insufficient.

Though if the past is any prologue, this isn’t necessarily the end of the story. Though citizens can file again if they wish, we kind of hope they don’t.

Recalls, in our experience, are appropriate when the alleged conduct is criminal, or very nearly so. But those seeking to yank Keogh from office just seem to be alleging that Keogh said he was pro-development when they voted for him and has turned out not to be.

Keogh says they’re wrong, that he just wants to make the best decision with the most possible information.

Recalls in other states have targeted politicians on their way to criminal trial. In Houston, the allegations in the successful recall applications could have constituted a crime. For Roger Purcell the alleged violation was impersonating a police officer, for Virgie Thompson it was allegations she embezzled city funds. Both mayors denied the charges and neither recall attempt was successful.

As for the Menard recall, that effort seems to be on track. When first submitted, it lacked enough signatures from registered Wasilla voters. Though it appears the applicants have fixed that deficiency, the clerk is out of town and has yet to rule.

Menard was on city business — not a personal vacation — when he chose to behave in this way and then tried to shirk responsibility when confronted by hotel staff. We think his actions belie his claims that he is in politics to help his constituents.

We think the merits of this recall are self-evident. And as we’ve said before in this column, we think Menard should step down.

Should the city clerk see fit to approve the application to recall, we hope Menard will choose to step down rather than subject the city to the expense and embarrassment of a special recall election.