This week as part of Town Council campaign coverage The Times has asked the two candidates involved in the recall election a separate question from the other candidates.

The question reads as follows: Dr. Rutkowski, the recall petitions included reasons for asking for the recall of Councilman Leger as failing to uphold the best interests of the Town of Fountain Hills; violating his oath of office to uphold the Constitution; and voting against the will of the people. Since you were not directly connected to either recall committee, are these your reasons for supporting the effort, if not, what are your reasons for running? Explain in some detail how you believe Councilman Leger violated the trust of the citizens and deserves recall.

Councilman Leger, explain how you believe the reasons for the recall are inaccurate or incorrect.

Henry Leger: “Make no mistake about it - this recall is about my vote to support a single-trash hauler.

“As one of the top vote getters in 2010, I was elected to a four-year term. This recall disrespects those who voted for me and is an insult to the ideals of representative government.

“The accusation is that I violated my oath of office to uphold the constitution. A reasonable person would not consider voting on a council meeting agenda item or attending an executive session as violating one’s oath of office. On the contrary, I was upholding my responsibilities as a councilmember.

“To say that I voted against the will of the people is ungrounded. Reducing trash hauler traffic and offering recycling have been expressed as needs by our residents for years. In a transparent process, a diverse committee conducted an extensive two-year analysis of this issue, including input from residents, homeowner associations, public meetings, surveys and trash haulers. Survey results favored a single-trash hauler (54 percent) and curbside recycling (55 percent).

“My vote for the single-trash hauler was based on all inputs received and my belief that it’s in the best interest of our community.

“This recall is orchestrated and driven by members of the local Tea Party Board of Directors. In fact, my opponent is a board member. The recall committee was funded by money from outside Fountain Hills, using primarily paid petitioners to obtain signatures. They provided misleading and false information and made personal attacks to obtain recall signatures.”

Richard Rutkowski: “Arizona law (A.R.S, Title 19) authorizes recall of an elected official for any reason, allowing voters to express their dissatisfaction with that person’s actions. This recall required 25 percent of the number of voters from the last election to sign, confirming their dissatisfaction.

“About 1300 signatures were required, but over 1900 voters willfully signed in favor of recall.  These voters are clearly not pleased with Councilman Leger’s record and seek an alternative.  I am running to offer citizens of Fountain Hills that choice.

“Councilman Leger supported increasing telecommunications taxes.  He supported the $29 plus million road bond, decisively defeated by voters 56 percent – 44 percent in November. The clear majority of residents speaking at a Nov. 4, 2010 council meeting voiced opposition to the trash proposal.

“Leger ignored his constituents’ passionate opposition and voted against their wishes. His vote forced two small, local trash haulers to lose their town business. He didn’t support the will of over 1,000 voters who promptly signed petitions requesting a referendum vote. He supported higher business license and development fees during a time when businesses and developers were struggling to survive.

“He has recently indicated support for consideration of paid ‘subscription’ for fire protection, a new ‘tax in disguise’ on residents of Fountain Hills

“Many Fountain Hills residents no longer approve of Mr. Leger remaining on Town Council nor believe he is acting in their best interests. I offer myself to them as someone who will consistently support a town government which is fiscally-conservative, open, responsive, and business-friendly.”