Montague Council Member Responds to Recall Effort

MONTAGUE, CA – Tensions ran high at the recent Montague City Council meeting as Council Member Dooley addressed community concerns and responded to an ongoing recall effort against her and another council member.

Dooley began by criticizing Facebook community watch moderators for spreading what she characterized as misinformation regarding changes in the fire department and possible impacts on homeowners’ insurance rates.

“If you have a question about your homeowners insurance, please don’t go to Facebook. Please contact your agent,” Dooley stated. “This is not a city issue and it should not be presented as such.”

The council member addressed several community questions, including why Montague didn’t send strike teams to the Palisades fire, explaining that “the Office of Emergency Services did not invite Montague.”

Regarding the recall petition, Dooley suggested it might be a “flexion tactic” to divert attention from “the active investigation of the fire chief.” She noted that if enough signatures are collected, a recall election would cost the city $30,000, funds she claimed the city does not have.

Dooley revealed that a notice of intention to circulate the recall petition had been served again that night by “Ms. Pitkin.” The complaints listed reportedly included “three council complaints” such as not having enough packets available online, rather than complaints about specific individuals.

According to Dooley, information from the recall group indicated they had been meeting since September with the goal of removing council members who don’t support reinstating Fire Chief Vela. She alleged that applicants from this group applied for an open council seat, “had already pledged to give their mayoral vote to council member Pat Vela, who in turn agreed to fire the city attorney, the city manager, and reinstate Fire Chief Jason Vela.”

Dooley also questioned why Council Member Pat Vela was not recusing himself from voting on fire department issues. She noted that public records show Jason Vela was voted in as chief of the Grenada Fire Protection District in September 2022.

“The goal of the recall committee seems to have Chief Vela reinstated to the Montague Fire Department, no matter how that happens,” Dooley stated.

In her closing remarks, Dooley denied any Brown Act violations by the council and expressed frustration at serving “month after month with zero gratitude.”

The meeting ended abruptly after brief comments from attendees who disputed the existence of the group Dooley referenced.

The Siskiyou News will continue to follow developments in this ongoing story.