By Linda Kor Citizens of Holbrook are taking action against Mayor Merrill Young due to the lack of response on the part of the mayor and council in addressing the needs of citizens and employees of the city. The city has experienced an unprecedented loss of jobs, with nine vacancies at the city and five at the police department, with another city employee set to retire next month. The situation has led to low morale, the inability to address the needs of the city and frustration among the citizens who believe their elected officials are non-responsive to their concerns. As a result, a committee has filed for a recall against the Mayor and is currently circulating petitions to have him removed from office and a new mayor selected in the August election. Reasons cited in the recall include a statement that Mayor Young has failed to lead the city council in creating a strategic plan for the City of Holbrook and under his leadership has allowed City Manager Ted Soltis to manipulate and disregard proper procedures and decorum to the detriment of citizens and employees. It accuses Young of allowing relations to degrade with outside municipalities and organizations, and that he has elevated the office of Mayor above what is authorized by the Charter. The statement also also claims that Young has allowed City Manager Soltis to understaff the city workforce, eroding the safety and morale of city employees and of the residents of Holbrook. Also noted is the cancellation of the 2020-2021 election cycle in violation of charter, which extended the terms of his office and that of council without a vote of the people. Young is also accused of reaching beyond the charter duties allotted to the Mayor and has given himself the responsibility to approve financial activity in concert with Soltis. Also noted is the cancellation of council meetings while the city faces many needs that are not being addressed and giving Soltis the authority to control the City Council agenda and to direct the Council in its activities. To obtain the recall, the committee and petitioners must collect 123 signatures, one fourth of the total votes Young received when put into office. Though no official statement has been made, at least one citizen has indicated they would be willing to run for the office in the August election to replace Young. For more in-depth coverage on this situation, read the Feb. 23 edition of The Tribune. For those interested in signing the petition reach out to The Tribune at linda@yourtrib.com or by texting or calling (480) 415-5504 to be directed to someone who can provide it.
