Political turmoil in Valley City includes recall

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) — Residents of Valley City who want new leadership have submitted petitions to recall Mayor Bob Werkhoven and City Commissioner Ken Evenson.

Petition committee member Ronald Olson says the city that has been plagued by political turmoil needs a new direction. Werkhoven says he and Evenson have done nothing wrong and that the recall effort is vindictive.

City Auditor Avis Richter has until Oct. 19 to validate the signatures on the petitions. If there are enough, a special election will be scheduled.

The turmoil in Valley City includes the suspension of the city's police chief and an effort to eliminate the city administrator position. Residents go to the polls on Oct. 4 to decide the city administrator question. The courts have become involved in the suspension of Police Chief Dean Ross.

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