The Recall City Hall group filed in District Court Wednesday to drop their lawsuit and end the effort to recall six of the seven Red Wing City City Council members.
Part of the statement by Committee member George Hintz says “the committee has decided to build on the momentum we have created together, and direct all of our energy and resources toward the 2022 City Council elections. We will drop our lawsuits against council members, and focus instead on recruiting good, qualified candidates and winning in 2022."
Hintz goes on to say '' “Make no mistake – we were confident of ultimate victory in a protracted court battle with Council members over their illegal attempt to stop a recall election. However, we cannot, in good conscience, allow taxpayers to assume expensive legal bills on behalf of the Council, that should rightly be borne by individual Council members,”
Greg Joseph, the recall groups attorney, officially withdrew as council with the court Wednesday, the same day as the groups statement was released.
The recall committee had claimed that Council members violated the Open Meeting Law regarding a closed session related to the employment of former Red Wing Police Chief Roger Pohlman. Pohlman was fired during the closed meeting on February 19th.
Here is the entire press release:
Statement by George Hintz on behalf of The Committee to Recall City Hall
August 18, 2021
Committee to Recall City Hall to Devote All Resources Toward 2022 City Council Elections
The outpouring of grassroots support from thousands of Red Wing voters to recall six of seven City Council members has exceeded our greatest expectations. By an overwhelming margin, Red Wing citizens are ready to replace the current Council with members who will abide by Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law, and restore openness, dignity, respect, and fiscal responsibility to City government.
Accordingly, the Committee has decided to build on the momentum we have created together, and direct all of our energy and resources toward the 2022 City Council elections. We will drop our lawsuits against Council members, and focus instead on recruiting good, qualified candidates and winning in 2022.
Make no mistake – we were confident of ultimate victory in a protracted court battle with Council members over their illegal attempt to stop a recall election. However, we cannot, in good conscience, allow taxpayers to assume expensive legal bills on behalf of the Council, that should rightly be borne by individual Council members.
Between now and November 2022, we will be attending Council meetings, speaking out, and holding Council members’ feet to the fire. We encourage every Red Wing voter to do the same. Together, we will restore good government to this great city.
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