Parker Residents Demanding Mayor be Recalled or Resign

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Story Published: Jun 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:45 PM MST

By Nate Eaton

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Some residents are demanding the mayor of Parker in Fremont County either resign or be recalled.

Right now, residents have collected enough signatures that if a recall election was held today, mayor Bert McLaughlin would be out of office.

Edwin Larson, Parker Resident: "He was doing a lot of harassing to the city clerk."

Edwin Larson is behind the recall and says the city hasn't been the same since McLaughlin took office.

In February, the city clerk resigned saying the mayor was harassing her and she was scared of him. Then, last week, the city attorney and a city council member resigned.

At the same time, McLaughlin sent out a newsletter that infuriated many people.

Leisa Munns, Parker Resident: "The mayor's newsletter was not appropriate by any means. It was over the line. Things were discussed in there that had nothing to do with the city."

In the letter, McLaughlin writes about sexual abuse and rumors he says LDS Church leaders have spread about him.

Larson: "He said this is a rumor spreading community and about 90 percent of the stuff that he has in the newsletter is nothing but rumors."

People are also upset that McLaughlin is wanted on three misdemeanor warrants out of Utah and that his Idaho driver's license has been suspended.

Because of that, they hope he steps down or is forced out of office.

Munns: "Something needs to be done."

Larson: "I think the majority of the people in Parker would be happy with it."

McLaughlin did not want to do an on camera interview but did say most of allegations against him are false and he's not sure if he will resign or not.

If he does not resign by Wednesday, June 18 at 5pm, a recall election will be held August 5.

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