Yuma council votes to investigate mayor

In a marathon meeting before a large audience, the Yuma City Council voted Wednesday to proceed with an investigation into alleged misconduct by Mayor Al Krieger and to retain an outside law firm to advise it.

During the discussion, Krieger excused himself and sat in the audience with his family. He also did not participate in the vote that was 4-2 in favor of the motion made by Councilman Paul Johnson, who presided over the meeting as deputy mayor.

Casting no votes were Councilwomen Bobbi Brooks and Leslie McClendon, who both said they felt the matter should have gone first to the Arizona attorney general.

After the meeting, Krieger said he had answered all the issues. “I finally got to give my side of the story. No one talked about that.”

He said the council's decision to proceed with the investigation “was predisposed. Their mind had been made up since the first meeting in January.”

That was the meeting when former mayor Marilyn Young during call to the public accused Krieger of conflict of interest, violating the city charter and abusing his position.

Wednesday's meeting was emotionally charged, with Krieger protesting that the item about the law firm being added after a motion by Councilman Jerry Stuart to seek outside council was defeated at a previous meeting. Therefore, Krieger said, placing the item on the agenda was wrong.

He also took about 25 minutes to go through each of 17 allegations against him and respond. His comments can be seen in four video segments at YumaSun.com.

In some cases, Krieger said, he simply didn't know what the allegation was about and defended his actions, saying he never personally benefited from any city or council action. On other occasions, he was acting as a private citizen or as a contractor.

As to allegations he had been harsh with city employees, he said he comes from rough German stock “and of course I get loud.” He also noted that he had been in the contracting business for several years “and we use big hammers. I apologize if I offended.”

At one point while the mayor was speaking, Johnson interrupted him to say Krieger was not following Robert's Rules of Order because he jumped on the agenda item about the outside law firm before it came up in the conduct of the meeting.

The public had plenty to say, too.

Wes Eade labeled the action against the mayor as in retaliation for his efforts to “bring big changes to city government” as he had promised when he ran for office. Eade suggested that cleaning house should apply to the council members, city administrator and city attorney.

Others urged the council to “do the right thing” and drop the action for the sake of the community.

More than once, Johnson had to remind the audience when applause broke out that demonstrations from them were not permitted.

On the other hand, John Larkin encouraged the council to proceed with the investigation to clear the air, noting that there are occasions when the person is exonerated.

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853. Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YSJoyceLobeck or on Twitter at @YSJoyceLobeck.