city council

Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and City Council members Lori Elmore and Amy Harcar are being targeted by a recall petition. City Council could set a date for the special election at its next meeting on April 7.

The petition was organized by Holly Stein and Patricia Balser. The two criticize Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and the city for fighting with the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9. The two allege Bivens is fiscally irresponsible and isn't following the law or expectations of elected officials.

The Franklin County Prosecutor's office said in a statement that Whitehall Police are still investigating Gerald Dixon and will determine future action once that is complete.

In a second vote to remove Whitehall City Councilman Gerald Dixon, his fellow council members were split three to three on Tuesday. Dixon is accused of sexually abusing underage boys.

WOSU tried reaching out to organizers of the petition circulating to recall Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens and Councilmembers Lori Elmore and Amy Harcar. Facebook posts indicate the group's grievances against the three stem from the city's fight with the Fraternal Order of Police.

Authorities said the investigation into Gerald Dixon will continue. He allegedly abused underage boys for several years.

In a surprising development last week, Whitehall City Council swore Dixon in to a new term on city council mere hours after he was released from jail. Dixon had won re-election in November.

Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen described the journal entries in a letter to Mayor Michael Bivens. The evidence was seized when police arrested Dixon on Monday and executed a search warrant at his home.

Whitehall City Councilmember Gerald Dixon made a surprise appearance at the swearing in ceremony for new and re-elected councilmembers Tuesday evening.

Whitehall City Councilmember Gerald Dixon was arrested Monday evening and charged with soliciting prostitution from a minor and gross sexual imposition.