Superior’s Recall Election

Councilwoman Soyla “Kiki” Peralta Delivers Her Side of the Story

The Town of Superior will vote on whether or not to recall Councilwoman Soyla “Kiki” Peralta tomorrow.

The grounds for recall, as listed on the ballot, are “maleficence [the act of committing harm or evil] and violation of open meeting laws.”
The recall was announced shortly after she, along with several members of the council, revoked support of federal land exchange bill H.R. 687 earlier this year. The bill would provide Resolution Copper access to more than 2400 acres of land near Superior for copper mining. The primary reason she revoked her support, Peralta says, was because the land exchange legislation was introduced without the council’s prior knowledge, and did not include a mutual benefits agreement between the town and Resolution Copper. This agreement would have outlined what the Town of Superior would be provided in exchange for the land given up to the mine.

According to Peralta, the council had been trying to renegotiate a mutual benefits agreement with Resolution Copper ever since the prior agreement became null and void, due to former councilman Hank Gutierrez’ indictment in late 2012. He had voted on that agreement despite his conflict of interest, and his resulting conviction terminated the agreement.

At a town council meeting on March 7, Peralta presided over the “call to the public” portion of the meeting, and heard 23 comments over the course of three hours expressing the pros and cons of the land exchange.

The following week, on March 13, the council held a special meeting. For this type of meeting, Peralta says it was up to the chair whether or not to allow public comment, but no public comment was required by law.

Peralta ran the meeting that night according to the agenda, she says. The only item listed was a vote on whether or not to revoke support of the land exchange; neither council comment or public comment were included. Although attendees were prepared to speak, Peralta did not allow public comment, and said that anyone who spoke would be removed by police.

“That’s what got me in trouble,” she says.

The council voted to revoke their support and the meeting was adjourned within minutes.

Shortly thereafter, a group calling themselves the Superior Copper Alliance formed, headed by Bill Vogler and treasurer Aja DeZeeuw. The group, along with other town residents, took out recall petitions against Peralta.

“They have yet to tell me which open meeting law I violated,” she says.

Opposing Peralta is Mila Besich Lira, a reporter and advertising director for Copper Area News Publishers, and supporter of Resolution Copper and the land exchange.

This article is not an endorsement and is intended solely to provide the public with information. We invite any and all respectful public comments.