North Las Vegas group seeks recall of city’s mayor

A group of North Las Vegas residents on Tuesday filed an intent to recall Mayor Shari Buck.

James Olive, vice chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, is leading the recall effort, saying he and others are angry about Buck's support of police and fire unions at the expense of other city services.

Olive did not return a call seeking comment. But in a news release issued late last month, he said Buck "has demonstrated an inability to effectively lead and protect the citizens" of the city.

"In reality, Mayor Buck has shown extraordinary leadership skills protecting the police and fire unions while she destroys the rest of the city," he said.

The mayor was one of three City Council members who voted last month in favor of laying off 21 employees and closing two recreation centers to help bridge a $4.4 million shortfall in the city's fiscal 2012 budget. The closures would be avoided if the city reached concessions agreements with its two police unions.

The council has since approved an agreement with the 57-member Police Supervisors Association. An agreement with the 360-member Police Officers Association, which would save the city $2 million through June, is slated for a council vote today . If the second agreement is approved, the recreation centers would be saved, Buck said.

"I'm not worried about" the recall effort, Buck said Tuesday. "I think it's ridiculous, but anybody can file a recall -- that's their right. I have bigger issues to worry about."

The intent to recall was signed by Olive and North Las Vegas residents Scott Sauer and Cherlynn Thomas.

They have 90 days to collect the signatures of 2,466 voters who cast ballots in Buck's race in 2009.

Residents also are holding a "Recall Mayor Buck" rally at 5:30 p.m. today at City Hall.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.