A group of people in Lebanon says their city leader's got to go.
They’re circulating a petition to recall Mayor C.P. Craig.
He’s only been in office since April, but as KSPR first reported, his term was immediately met with controversy.
It all began when Craig demoted nine police officers his first day in office.
Four, including long-standing chief Sam Mustard, quit over the incident.
Craig said the department needed restructuring, so he hired three new officers and changed rankings.
But some Lebanon residents think he crossed the line that time- and numerous times since.
For Sieta Brown, though, that was the beginning of what she hopes will be the end.
“I know we're getting close to a thousand."
Signatures, but Sieta’s group needs over 2,000, or 25% of the registered voters in Laclede County, in order to recall Craig.
She and others she calls concerned citizens set up an office where people can come sign the petition.
They’ve got about 30 days left to do it, and if they don't do it at the office there’s another option.
We wanted to go door to door with some of the people who were circulating the petition but Sieta says they are all too afraid to go on camera.
She says they actually fear the mayor could get them fired from their jobs.
She calls him a bully who uses threats and intimidation to get his way.
So KSPR sat down with Mayor C.P. Craig to get his perspective.
“Citizens wanted change in this community. They understood our city government was in need of desperate change, and that's why they elected me- because I offered that change,” says Craig.
He got more than twice the number of votes than the incumbent he defeated in the April election.
He says he began making the changes he promised day one.
They were solidified last month, when the city's audit results became public.
“We had 15 major findings and over 45 minor. 13 major findings and over 30 minor findings were corrected on my first day in office,” Craig continues.
It appears then, these adversaries have something in common after all- both want change.
Here’s what happens next: the petitions are due October 9th.
If enough signatures are validated by the county clerk then an election will be scheduled for February or April.
That’s when voters will decide whether to keep Craig in office or have him removed.
We’ll keep you posted.