Bunty
05-12-2010, 08:17 PM
http://stillwaterweather.com/photos/mayorbates.jpg
FROM: NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/stillwater-mayor-nathan-bates-survives-recall-election/article/3460660?custom_click=headlines_widget#ixzz0nihtHc3 N)
Watch party story at: Stillwater mayor, supporters celebrate election results Local News Stillwater NewsPress (http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x334286690/Stillwater-mayor-supporters-celebrate-election-results)
The young mayor kept his job Tuesday in a recall election that saw 2,226 people vote to remove him from office and 2,230 vote to keep him.
"I like it. I’d rather it be close than spread out, because I can thank every single one of my volunteers and tell them they each personally made a difference,” Bates said.
Bates, 28, was first elected in April 2009. He said he’ll now focus on "getting Stillwater back on track.”
A recall petition against Bates was submitted in January by City Councilor Darrell Dougherty, who had previously called on Bates to resign.
Bates, a recent Oklahoma State University graduate, had been criticized by Dougherty and other political opponents who claimed he used his mayoral seat to steer money to a company he owns and interfere with city business.
Opponents also publicized an incident in which Bates was allegedly drunk in public and asked a woman to expose herself at a party.
Bates has denied all allegations made against him. He said Tuesday’s election showed the public is on his side, and urged his opponents to not "be sour about it.”
FROM: NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/stillwater-mayor-nathan-bates-survives-recall-election/article/3460660?custom_click=headlines_widget#ixzz0nihtHc3 N)
Watch party story at: Stillwater mayor, supporters celebrate election results Local News Stillwater NewsPress (http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x334286690/Stillwater-mayor-supporters-celebrate-election-results)
The young mayor kept his job Tuesday in a recall election that saw 2,226 people vote to remove him from office and 2,230 vote to keep him.
"I like it. I’d rather it be close than spread out, because I can thank every single one of my volunteers and tell them they each personally made a difference,” Bates said.
Bates, 28, was first elected in April 2009. He said he’ll now focus on "getting Stillwater back on track.”
A recall petition against Bates was submitted in January by City Councilor Darrell Dougherty, who had previously called on Bates to resign.
Bates, a recent Oklahoma State University graduate, had been criticized by Dougherty and other political opponents who claimed he used his mayoral seat to steer money to a company he owns and interfere with city business.
Opponents also publicized an incident in which Bates was allegedly drunk in public and asked a woman to expose herself at a party.
Bates has denied all allegations made against him. He said Tuesday’s election showed the public is on his side, and urged his opponents to not "be sour about it.”