Mayor Recall Petition Filed

Two Kimball citizens have launched a petition drive to recall Mayor Keith Prunty.

In November 2014, Prunty was elected mayor. He was re-elected in 2018.

The recall process requires strict adherence to the Nebraska state statutes 32-1303 through 32-1309.

Kimball County Clerk Cathy Sibal confirmed that Ashley Sisk and Mary M. Laughlin filed the recall petition filing forms on April 2. Laughlin, daughter of city council member Kim Baliman, wrote on the petition that this was the reason for the recall: “Not having the community’s best interest in mind. Serving his own agenda. Disrespect and mistreatment of city employees and elected officials.”

Sisk’s form states similar reasons for the recall. Ashley Sisk’s husband was the former Kimball water superintendent and had applied for the city administrator position last year, a job he did not receive.

The recall process is exact and follows a specific calendar. Mayor Prunty was notified of the recall by the county clerk, and he has 20 days to file a defensive statement, after which the clerk has five days to prepare the recall forms. Prunty’s defense will appear on the recall signature forms.

The forms will be available for circulation in 20 days, and they must be handed back into the clerk’s office within 30 days.

Kimball County Clerk’s Office officials said that Laughlin and Sisk must collect 35 percent of the total vote count for that office from the last general election, which means they must have 292 verified signatures.

“We want to assure the public that we’re doing this for all the of right reasons,” Laughlin told the Observer. “We remain committed to leaving negativity, malice, and mud slinging out of this effort. This movement is about making our town the best it can be, and that starts at the top! We are more than happy to answer any questions the public has, and encourage them to do their research and form their own informed opinions.”

Prunty could not be reached for a comment.