Western Montana Mayor Faces Recall Election

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — The mayor of a western Montana town facing a recall election is blaming what he calls an inexperienced city council, while one of the council members says the mayor prefers to do things his own way even if it's against the law.

The Flathead Beacon reports that the special election to recall Troy Mayor Donald Banning could be held before the end of May.

Banning's request for an injunction to prevent the recall election was rejected March 20 by Lincoln County District Judge Jim Wheelis.

Wheelis in his decision wrote that "Banning's acts were not simple mistakes, but a concerted intent to ignore the council, the state statutes and the (City of Troy's) Charter."

Banning says he will likely appeal the decision.