COUNCIL BACKS MAYOR ON RECALL ATTEMPT DEFENSE

By Chris Cook - Forks Forum editor

Supporters of recalling Forks Mayor Nedra Reed are expected to file their petition with a Clallam County judge this week.
Last week the Forks City Council backed Reed, with an unanimous vote of support for the city paying her legal expenses should the recall effort move beyond the petition stage.

The council also voted to fund the hiring of attorneys should arbitration hearings result from the recent firings of former Forks Police Department employees.

The request for the funding went quickly at the Monday night council meeting before a full house that included former FPD Sgt. Tom Scott and supporters of the recall effort. Reed didn’t elaborate on the issue at the meeting.
Forks City Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck commented that state law allows the city to pay for legal counsel should a recall be initiated. He said part of the funds would likely be covered by an insurance policy.

The recall petition must be approved by a county judge before signatures can be collected. Karleen Powell, the former wife of Forks Police Chief Mike Powell is the main proponent of the recall, and has said it is being made in response to the firing of Scott, and former sergeant JoElle Munger, along with former police dispatcher Deanna Dematteis. All three are appealing their firings through the Teamsters Union.