Resident Calling for Special Election

An Oelwein resident claims he has gathered enough signatures to call for a special election for mayor.

At a special meeting last Thursday, the Oelwein council voted to appoint Peggy Sherrets, the current mayor pro-tem, as mayor, effective September 8th. The council also appointed resident Ted Malget to take over Sherret's First Ward council seat.

The vacancies were created when present mayor, Jason Manus, resigned, after allegations of sexual assault involving minor girls erupted. Manus resigned after being released from jail on bond. He has an arraignment hearing schedule for Wednesday. Manus has maintained his innocence.

Also on Wednesday, resident and local businessman John Walker has invited media as well as others, to the city hall at 2pm, to announce that he has collected over 200 signatures calling for a special election. Walker had objected to the council's actions of making the two appointments, instead of holding special elections, which would cost around $6,000 for each post.

He was required to obtain signatures that would total a percentage of the voters in the last election, which would be just over 150.

A special election could still be held in early October, and be within certain date guidelines for the positions to be filled.

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