By Angelina Perez

The Board of Directors of the Iona Bonneville County Sewer District held a special meeting Thursday night to discuss certification of tax liens, but the topic quickly changed to the upcoming recall election of board member Susan Ring.

During the meeting there was a lot of discussion about the recall election of Susan Ring, which is one of many heated issues going on within the board and the district.

One of the main points made Thursday night is that the board didn't call the election, and that the petition was approved and certified by citizens of the district. Board members also wanted to emphasize that everything that has been said in flyers and handouts hasn't all been true.

John Price, board member: "We addressed the possibility of issuing a statement or newsletter, a report that would clarify the facts in a lot of these things, because a lot of it is misinformation, a lot of it is untrue, a lot of it is just opinions."

Susan Ring has been part of the Board of Directors since early 2004, and says she has once before been up for a recall election. That election was stopped after Susan challenged it, after she says the timing of signatures received was shown as invalid.

John Price of the board also says the Board of Directors as a whole is remaining neutral during this recall election, but certain individuals have their own opinions.

John Price: "I have my opinions and Susan has hers and so forth, but as a board we're not doing anything official to try and influence the election one way or another."

Susan Ring says she doesn't agree that the board has been neutral.

Susan Ring: "My biggest reason is that there has been so much talk in the meetings about how they want me recalled."

Susan says that sexism may play a part in why she is being recalled.

Susan Ring: "I'm the first woman, the only woman that's ever been on it, and I don't think the other directors on this board have very much respect for women."

John says this is an important topic, so members of the district need to come out and vote.

John Price: "Get out and vote; it's an important event and the more participation that we can get, the better it will be and the better representation of the district it will be as a whole."

Susan thinks that if patrons don't come out and vote they will be impacted in the future.

Susan Ring: "They could be terribly impacted negatively down the road by what's going on, but it will be too late then."

One of the reasons listed on the sample ballot for the recall is that Susan has shown a disregard for the patrons of the district.

Voting for the recall election is August 4th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Tiebreaker Elementary School in Idaho Falls.