By Thomas J. McKillen
Managing Editor

A citizens group seeking a recall of Trustee Rock Brandner submitted petitions at Richfield Village Hall July 15.
An organization called Richfield Citizens for Responsible Government submitted the petitions, which were signed by 1,756 residents, more than the 1,362 signatures required to force a recall election.
In a flyer, the organization cited a vote by Brandner to raise property taxes, “wasting hard earned tax dollars,” having the village become involved in two lawsuits and “squelching valuable citizen input at Village Board meetings.”
Brandner has previously disputed the claims, noting lawsuits were filed against the village and subsequently dismissed. Also, input by residents is allowed at Village Board meetings but comments by nonresidents is now moved to the end of the meetings. Brandner did vote with the majority of the Village Board for a 3.95 percent property tax increase, which amounts to an increase of less than 3 cents per $1,000 assessed property value.
Under state law, village of Richfield staff have 31 days to review the petition documents to determine if they are sufficient to prompt a recall election.
Brandner’s term ends in April 2011. Reid Snedaker, a spokesman for Richfield Citizens for Responsible Government, was asked why the organization is seeking the recall election now instead of waiting until spring elections.
“The less time he is there, the less damage he can do,” Snedaker said.
Earlier in the week, Village Administrator Joshua Schoemann said that a recall election would cost between $3,000 to $5,000 if the recall was held in conjunction with another election and $8,000 to $10,000 if the recall was held on its own. When asked, Snedaker said the cost of the recall is justified due to actions taken by Brandner.
Snedaker said Brandner is being targeted “because he voted in the affirmative on all of the issues that are on the recall petition. All of the votes were not necessarily unanimous, but he was unanimous in voting in the affirmative on all of the issues.”
Snedaker said that the organization doesn’t have any potential candidates on board at this time to challenge Brandner should a recall election be held.
“We’ve talked to a couple of people but at this point we do not have a specific candidate we would endorse,” Snedaker said.
Snedaker said approximately 18 Richfield residents and five to six non-residents are involved in the recall drive.
Before entering the Village Hall, town of Polk resident Jeff Gonyo was observed distributing signs to recall supporters. Gonyo also gave a press release to Snedaker and asked him to distribute it to media. Snedaker subsequently gave a copy of the release to an Express News reporter.
Brandner watched  from behind a counter in Village Hall as the group  submitted the petitions seeking his recall.
“Actually, it’s pretty ridiculous,” he said.
When asked for his approach to the recall, Brandner said: “Truth and fact always come out first. I will disclose the truth and the facts.”