Yuma, AZ - Yuma City councilmember Cody Beeson has been in office for nearly 5 years and now a local Yuma resident has started a recall petition against him.
"I've about had it with the things that are going on at city hall and I've decided to initiate a recall call against Cody Beeson," says Robert Johnson a Yuma Resident.
Councilmember Beeson is one of 3 city elected officials to be targeted for removal from office. Council members Paul Johnson and Jerry Stewart had petitions taken out against them in February.
Robert Johnson criticizes Beeson over what he says are delays in returning city money. The money in question was from unused funds councilmember Beeson had been advanced for travel expenses for city business in 2010. One expense for $150 and another for $200.
Councilmember Beeson says it was an oversight on his part and it has all been repaid and taken care of.
"I've been investigated by other agencies and I've been cleared and if you recall the mayor requested for the auditor general to investigate me. They did and they cleared me. So this is just one more way for them to drum up old news and muddy the water," says Councilmember Beeson.
Councilmember Beeson tells News 13 the recall was most likely started by Mayor Al Krieger who he says is upset over the investigation that had been called against him by Yuma council members. Councilmember Beeson says Mayor Krieger made threats against city council members to discourage them from going on with the investigation.
"Because we went forward to the appropriate authorities I think this recall is like one of his threats," says Councilmember Beeson.
Councilmember Beeson says Johnson and Mayor Krieger are friends.
Johnson denies being close with the mayor but says he knows him. Johnson says the recall was not started by mayor Krieger, but that he is a concerned citizen.
"Everyone needs to be aware of who is in office. They need to know who they are voting for and who is representing them," says Johnson.
Johnson says they have 120 days to gather 2,000 signatures. Meanwhile, the deadline is approaching for the submission of recall petitions against councilmen Paul Johnson and Jerry Stuart.
Mitch Dunn who is the lead for recalling the two, says they have collected enough signatures and they plan to turn them in June 1st.
Councilmember Beeson says the recalls are disheartening but he and other councilmembers will continue to do their best for the City of Yuma.
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