Providence Councilman Kevin Jackson and five other members have called for special City Council meetings Monday and Tuesday. The meetings aim to make sure all the correct policies and procedures were followed for Jackson’s recall election by the Providence Board of Canvassers.
Meanwhile, five other councilors have said they will not attend the special meetings.
The councilors who don’t plan on attending issued a statement calling the council a legislative body lacking the authority to look into the recall proceedings. The councilors said state law gives Jackson the right to appeal the recall decision to the Rhode Island Board of Elections and then the courts.
The councilors who called the meeting were Kevin Jackson of Ward 3; Michael Correia of Ward 6; Carmen Castillo of Ward 9; Mary Kay Harris of Ward 11; and Bryan Principe of Ward 13. City Council President Luis Aponte also petitioned for the meetings.
Councilors not attending are Seth Yurdin of Ward 1; Samuel Zurier of Ward 2; Nicholas Narducci of Ward 4; Wilbur Jennings of Ward 8; and David Salvatore of Ward 14.
Jackson has faced criticism for staying on the council while charged with embezzling money from a youth sports organization totaling to more than $127,000. His recall election is scheduled for May 2.
