Recall Drive Alleges Drunkenness, Conflict Of Interest Campaign Targets Spirit Lake Mayor, Councilman

Alleging public drunkenness and conflicts of interest, Spirit Lake residents have launched a recall campaign against a city councilman and the city’s third mayor in three months.

“I want to get the city back to normal,” said Dee Dee Voves, a leader in an effort to recall Councilman Rod Erickson and Mayor Tina Spadt. On Thursday, Voves filed a petition with 20 signatures at City Hall.

Spirit Lake has a population of 790.

The recall petition alleges that Erickson “displayed signs of intoxication when attending council meetings.” Voves said she’s smelled liquor on Erickson’s breath at some meetings.

“Alcohol influences your decision-making,” she said. “If you can’t drive a car properly, how can you make decisions properly?”

The petition also states that Erickson can’t make tough council decisions.

“He’s a nice guy and he can’t hurt people’s feelings,” said Voves.

The petition may be moot in Erickson’s case. City Clerk Barbara Brown said any recall election couldn’t happen until November - when Erickson’s seat is up for a vote anyway. And Erickson has hinted that he’s not going to run again. He couldn’t be reached Thursday.

Also under fire is Mayor Tina Spadt, who has two years left in her term.

The petition alleges that Spadt has a conflict of interest because this spring she loaned money to a woman who lobbies the city on behalf of developers. The woman, Susan Korman, is the wife of former Mayor Paul Korman, who is under investigation for alleged misuse of public funds.

Spadt is also criticized by residents who say she turns a deaf ear to constituents.

“As mayor, she shuts everyone down who wants to disagree,” said Voves.

Efforts to reach Spadt Thursday were unsuccessful.

Some residents bristled at a meeting Aug. 7, when told they couldn’t have their say. The council was discussing a proposed 358-acre annexation for homes and an industrial park. Spadt presided over the meeting and wouldn’t allow input from citizens other than Susan Korman, who represented the developers.

Sitting in the audience, Jim Lynn tried to ask questions.

“There is no input from the floor,” said City Attorney Richard Marshall. He pointed out that the city had a public hearing on the matter a few days earlier.

“You can discuss it among yourselves,” Marshall told the council. “Just forget those people are out there.”

, DataTimes