The community outcry from outside Gervais City Hall may have began prior to 2024, but the issues came to a head this year.
To kick off the year, the Gervais City Council fired Police Chief Mark Chase in February. Chase had been placed on leave in October 2023, pending an investigation into a complaint or complaints levied against him.
Then-Mayor Andrea Gilland said the city retained an independent investigator ahead of the council’s decision to remove Chase from his position. The exact findings of the investigation have not been made public, as it pertains to personnel issues.
After this move and a spate of others in recent months, recall proponents began petitioning to recall sitting councilors. Petitioners pointed to Chase’s departure, as well as that of the city manager, interim city manager, city recorder, police officer, legal services and a court/water clerk over the last two years.
Petitioners acted to recall Gilland and City Councilors John Harvey, Michael Gregory, Rob Ladd and Joel Ramon, Ramon’s name did not make it on the ballot, but the other four did — and the voters took decisive action in June . All four council members were removed from office with more than 60% of the vote.