Latest Recall Effort Against El Paso Mayor Continues

Mayor John Cook shook off one recall effort, only to draw another.

Earlier this year Tom Brown, and his group ?El Pasoans for Traditional Family Values? failed to get a recall election scheduled due to legal issues.

Now a second recall is under way, spearheaded by Michael Hayes.

Hayes had organizers spread throughout the city of El Paso, and at three city parks, on Saturday hoping to collect signatures. His group has until June 5 to collect a little over 6,100 signature, although he said he wants to obtain 8,000.

?My confidence level is 100 percent,? said Hayes. ?I?m confident I?ll get there.?

Hayes, and those who sign the petition, are upset that their votes were not taken into consideration when Mayor John Cook and several city council members overturned a voter approved ordinance that would have taken away health insurance benefits for gay and unmarried couples. It?s the same issue behind the last recall, but since it was overturned on a legal technicality a second petition is allowed to circulate.

Those who are looking to recall the mayor now have a little more than 30 days left to collect the signatures needed. The petition was taken out on April 5, and according to the city charter allows for 60 days to collect signatures.

Cook declined to comment about the latest recall, now one month under way, but has previously told ABC-7 that if the required signatures were collected he would not resign, but prepare for an election.

?If it comes time for me to have to defend my record since 1999 in order to avoid being kicked out of office, I?m going to put my humility aside and blow my own horn,? said Cook.

According to the El Paso charter, an elected official cannot be recalled with less than one year remaining on their term. Mayor John Cook?s last day in office, for his current term, would fall on June 26, 2013.