Recall election for Horace City Council member Tuesday

HORACE, N.D. (Valley News Live) - The recall election in Horace is happening Tuesday. Stephanie Landstrom will face only one opponent -- Arlin Fisher.

The recall is being held due to a petition, submitted to the City Auditor’s office, that met the threshold for the number of valid signatures required, 98, to initiate the recall process.

Stephanie Landstrom took her seat on city council in July 2022. She ran on a platform of increased communication to residents, which is why she’s speaking out following the recall.

According to Landstrom, the reason for her recall appears to be her vote to not renew the new home property tax abatement and concerns that she intentionally delayed improvements to Wall Avenue.

In January, the council voted 3-1 not to renew the home tax abatement. An abatement is a tool used by the city to encourage growth, increase development and revitalize the area.

Landstrom says Horace doesn’t have this problem, adding they are one of the fastest growing cities in the state. She says by continuing the abatement, they would unnecessarily leave money on the table for Horace and that the collective tax loss would be significant.

Landstrom says when that money is on the table, the city places the burden on the backs of current residents to make it up. Money she says is needed to meet the pace of growth in the city.

As for Wall Avenue improvements, Landstrom says some have claimed she is against the project, but that is not true. She says the only action she has taken on the project was to approve cost estimates and work with people along the corridor to reach an agreement on the purchase of land to complete the project.

Challenger Arlin Fisher said he believes he has the skillset and the capability to restore trust with local businesses.

“You know, before this I never had any political aspirations,” Fisher said. “I saw a need for the city I love to continue to grow and I felt I could fulfill that need to get us to the right spot to reach our full potential.”

The recall election will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 15 at the Horace Fire Hall.

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