By Aman Chabra, Local News 8 Reporter
IDAHO FALLS - By the end of next week, one local member of the Iona Bonneville Sewer District could be out of a job, as a recall election has been called for by local citizens.
Susan Ring has been a member of the IBSD since 2004, but is up for recall in an election scheduled for August 4th, 2009.
Recall elections are nothing new for the Iona Bonneville Sewer District. Sewer Board Chairman, John Price says they are perfectly lawful.
"When you have a problem with an elected official, the next logical step would be to hold a recall election and put it to a vote," said Price.
Price says the IBSD is remaining neutral until after the election, but says he has never had a problem with Susan in their working relationship.
"We have disagreements, but that's what a board does, they discuss, have disagreements, and come to decisions, and with Susan, I have never had any problems in that regard, but I heard some rumors to the fact that a recall election may be coming, so now we'll have to hold it and move on from there," said Price.
The strongest voice for Ring's dismissal comes from Dan Hunting of the Ashwood Acres subdivision in Iona, who initiated the effort for the recall election.
Hunting believes Ring is acting as a voice for former board members of the IBSD who were either dismissed or stepped down after an investigation done by the Idaho Attorney General's Office in 2008.
"Her ties are so close to the old ways and the old management that it's hard to get any business done," said Hunting.
Hunting has been working toward attaining this recall election since Ring reportedly voted against repairs scheduled for Hunting's neighborhood in 2008. Some have accused Hunting of trying to get himself on the board.
Hunting refutes this claim.
"I got involved as a citizen, and have no desire to be on that board. I have never been approached about it, nor would I accept any appointment to the IBSD. I'm just a concerned citizen," said Hunting.
Susan Ring was unavailable for comment at the time this story aired on Local News 8 Thursday evening. She will be giving her side of the story Friday on Local News 8 at 5:00, 6:00 & 10:00.
Whether or not Ring will be dismissed or retained, is anyone's guess. However, those close to the IBSD say the Idaho Attorney General's investigation last year did the district a lot of good.
"Things are a lot better now around here. We have better communication with our patrons, and our staff members have been great in helping those who need it," said Price.
The Recall Election will be happening all day on August 4th, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Patrons can cast their vote at Tiebreaker Elementary School at 310 1st Street on the day of the election itself.
They can also vote beforehand at the Bonneville County Courthouse before August 3rd.
