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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif "Amateurs "First of the First Responders," Department of Homeland Security Official Says"){kind=small} Previous: Amateurs "First of the First Responders," Department of Homeland Security Official Says |  Next: Amateurs Respond to Southwestern Fires |
NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 25, 2003--For the third time in League history, an ARRL Section Manager has been removed from office through a recall election. The audited vote to oust freshman Oregon Section Manager Marshall D. Johnson, KK7CW, of Albany, was 939 to 280, with eight invalid ballots. Members were asked to vote "yes" to recall Johnson and "no" to retain him. Ballots were counted June 24 at ARRL Headquarters, and the election tally was verified by a certified public accountant. Oregon's SM since last July 1, Johnson was recalled pursuant to the provisions of By Law 24 and Rule 5(g) of the ARRL Field Organization.
In a letter supporting Johnson's removal that went out to Oregon's 2676 ARRL members, five amateurs represented the 140 recall petition signers. According to the letter, Johnson's manner of replacing former Section Emergency Coordinator Lew Williams, WB7NML--who had held office for nine years--angered many Oregon amateurs.
Johnson had defeated Williams in May 2002 to replace former SM William Sawders, K7ZM, who did not seek a new term. Those supporting Johnson's ouster also cited remarks Johnson allegedly made regarding ARES at the Swap-Toberfest. The anti-Johnson letter further cited "a pattern of behavior that, if left unchecked, will have dire consequences" for the Oregon Section.
Johnson, in a May 19 letter to ARRL members in Oregon, claimed that "no accusations of malfeasance, breaking of any laws or rules and regulations, nor any question of character" had been raised during his tenure as Oregon's SM. He defended his prerogative, as the incoming SM, to name his own cabinet members--including "many hardworking and very qualified volunteers." He said the fundamental point of disagreement appeared to be his replacement of the SEC, and he blamed the recall election on an apparent "conflict of personalities." He also defended his appointment of Wayne Jack, KK7TT, as SEC and said that Jack has been doing a good job in the post.
While conceding to "mistakes in the past," Johnson pledged to do a better job if retained in office. His letter also pointed out that, if he were recalled, his replacement would be appointed, not elected, by Oregon's ARRL members. His removal leaves the post of ARRL Oregon SM vacant for the time being. ARRL Field Organization/Public Service Team Leader Steve Ewald, WV1X, said the post will remain open until ARRL Field and Educational Services Manager Rosalie White names a replacement to serve the year remaining in Johnson's term.
According to the ARRL By Laws, a Section Manager removed through a recall election or by action of the Executive Committee may not run in the next election following removal from office.
The last time an ARRL Section Manager was recalled was just over five years ago in 1998, when ARRL members in the New York City-Long Island Section voted to recall Section Manager Leonard Buonaiuto, then KE2LE. George Tranos, N2GA, was appointed to pick up the reins. He's since been elected in his own right to the office, which he continues to hold. Buonaiuto, now AB8HE, lives in Ohio.
As in Oregon, the New York City-Long Island Section recall campaign centered on appointments the SM had made while in office, including that of Section Emergency Coordinator.
The first SM to be recalled was former Vermont SM Frank Suitor, W1CTM, in January 1990. A recall attempt in 1988 in Montana failed.
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