Signatures Verified: Recall Special Election To Be Scheduled

Antelope County voters will have a recall election – possibly on Tuesday, Oct. 15 — to determine the fate of two commissioners.

Clerk Lisa Payne said the voter registration program verified the signatures submitted in the petition and has certified the numbers for Allan Bentley and Tom Borer. Payne said she was not involved in the verifying process.

In District 3, there were 233 signatures submitted to recall Bentley, and 213 were accepted. State statute required 135 signatures for a special election to move forward.

In District 5, there were 306 signatures submitted to recall Borer, and 279 were accepted. State statute required 203 signatures for a special election.

Among the reasons signatures were rejected were those who are not residents of the specified district, not registered voters or had their names crossed off the petition.

Payne said state statute dictates when the special election will occur, which is on the second Tuesday after the first Monday of the timeline, which appears to be Oct. 15. Commissioners will discuss and potentially approve a special election date at Thursday’s 8 a.m. special meeting.  

Bethany Miller filed the recall affidavit against Borer, alleging “mismanagement of county funds; spending money on an outside attorney after a State Patrol investigation. Misappropriation of taxpayer dollars for unnecessary expenses, including poorly timed projects. Mistreatment of elected officials, including waging public wars, refusing to allow them to speak and making unethical comments towards other officials.”

Borer’s response was, “All accusations against me are false; brought about by people with questionable motives. One commissioner cannot make financial, policy or other decisions alone. There is discussion on the topics and majority vote rules. The chairman is responsible for running orderly meetings and following the open meeting laws, all elected officials need to follow this law.”

Jack Allemang filed the recall affidavit against Bentley, alleging “mismanagement of county funds; spending money on an outside attorney after a State Patrol investigation. Misappropriation of taxpayer dollars for unnecessary expenses, including poorly timed projects. Sending residents texts with false information and blaming those messages on alcohol consumption. Mistreatment of elected officials, including waging public wars, refusing to allow them to speak and making unethical comments toward other officials.”

Bentley’s response was, “All allegations against me are false. No single commissioner makes any policy or financial decision, must always be majority vote. Investigation uncovered several thefts by county official; actually saved county thousands in back wages. This recall appears to be an attempt to undo recent election results, so by law three people: county clerk, treasurer and attorney can handpick new commissioners.”

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