Group moves ahead with Nowakowski recall effort
A group of residents is one step closer to removing Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski from office. On Wednesday, the Urban Phoenix Project PAC submitted 2,361 signatures supporting a recall of the councilman. It needed 1,337 signatures.
A group of fed-up residents is one step closer to removing Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski from office.
On Wednesday, the Urban Phoenix Project PAC, “devoted to electing urbanists to the Phoenix City Council,” submitted 2,361 signatures supporting a recall of the councilman.
The group needs 1,337 valid signatures for the recall to appear on the ballot.
The city has until Feb. 21 to verify the signatures.
If there are enough valid signatures to trigger a recall, Nowakowski will be given an opportunity to resign. If he does not, the recall will be held in August, a city spokesman said.
“We no longer accept Michael Nowakowski’s neglect of our neighborhoods. We no longer accept his discrimination against members of our community. We no longer accept his bald-faced cronyism,” Urban Phoenix Project PAC Chairman Sean Sweat said. “And with this recall, we are calling for an end to the deep-seated corruption that permeates City Hall.”
In its recall filings, the PAC alleged Nowakowski “neglected the needs of constituents ... abused his City Council office by participating in a lucrative downtown land deal that involved his private employer and has voted against Phoenix’s future by putting our vital South Central light rail project at risk.”
“Furthermore, he has been caught on video expressing hateful comments about the LGBT community and keeps close associations with lobbyists who are or have been under investigation of corruption,” the statement continued.
Nowakowski did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
In a statement in August, Nowakowski said the recall effort “will not change my dedication to residents of District 7 or the city of Phoenix.”
“I will continue to advocate for the issues District 7 residents have expressed are important to them,” he said in the statement. “This includes my ongoing support for workforce housing and the South Central Light Rail Extension.”