Amador County – Ione Mayor David Plank last week filed a formal response to a notice to recall him from political office, saying, among other things that he cannot act alone to approve Ione City Council decisions, and recordings show that no one was deprived of their chance to speak at Council meetings.

Plank filed a response June 27 with City Clerk Janice Traverso, listing answers to a filing by resident James Nevin, and his group, “Voice In Ione,” who made a “notice of intention to circulate a recall petition.”

Plank said for his service from December 2008 on the Ione City Council, including since January as Mayor, he addressed claims within that period. He said “by law, no Mayor can act independent of Council on Capital, Budget or Contract decisions,” as Nevin claimed in his filing, saying Plank “approved the current Ione City Budget.” Plank said: “Recall elections waste $10,000 to $14,000 of your taxes depleting Ione’s budget.”

He noted that “Council follows common governmental strategy using expense reductions and fund reserves to cover budgeted expenditures; while maintaining services. Never have fund balances reached unacceptable, dangerous levels. Current fund balance is 38 percent.”

Plank said the “Council approves attorney charges for specified, budgeted projects and services.” He said prior to his tenure, in September 2008, the “Council directed staff to issue request for competitive bids, under law, for a wastewater plant.” Construction companies “Teichert and Auburn sent withdrawal letters.” He said PERC, another company, was a “compliant bidder” and the “Council voted to proceed with PERC” in January 2009.

“Presently, cost figures are unavailable for wastewater plant construction and sewer rates,” Plank said. “Council directed staff June 21” to negotiate a Design, Build, Finance and Operate “agreement with PERC” and simultaneously commence a rate study with consultant PMC. “Approximately 90 days from contract signing accurate construction costs and sewer rates will be determined.”

Plank said the “Council approved extension of the Police Chief’s employment contract in lieu of accepting annual salary reduction of $15,000 a year for three-and-a-half years, saving Ione $52,500 and potentially reducing pension.” ¶ Nevin in his filing said Plank as “Mayor of our City you alone denied an Ione citizen his Constitutional Right to freely express his opinion before the City Council.”

Plank said “citizens are not denied the right to speak during Public Comment,” and it was “confirmed by tape recordings.” He said the Public comment “rule is published and/or announced.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.