A Carson City woman believes Mayor Marv Teixeira shouldn't be allowed to continue to serve the residents of the capital city following his conviction for drunken driving.
Rheba Montrose filed a petition April 19 with the Clerk-Recorder's Office to recall the mayor.
"He didn't apologize to us, the people who elected him. I think he should resign because he committed a crime and was convicted," Montrose said.
Teixeira was arrested March 5 by the Nevada Highway Patrol at the intersection of John and Carson streets for driving 50 mph in that 35 mph zone. He was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving and speeding, paid $1,239 in bail, then was released from custody later that evening.
Montrose said she felt the mayor received preferential treatment during his sentencing because of his political connections.
"There was a lot of maneuvering going on at Justice Court when he was in court. It seems to me there is a buddy system in this town," Montrose said.
Teixeira was sentenced to 46 hours of community service, a fine of $650 and at least $200 more in related fees April 12. At least five other people sentenced for drunken driving in Carson City Justice Court that day received lesser fines.
Clerk-Recorder Alan Glover confirmed that Montrose had filed the petition. She has 90 days to collect 5,529 signatures, or 25 percent of the total number of voters who cast ballots in the mayor's race three years ago.
"If there is less than that amount, we do nothing. If there is more then we verify the signatures and set up an election," Glover said.
The election would take place within two months of the petition being submitted and would cost between $30,000 and $40,000, according to Glover.
Should the mayor be recalled, the mayor pro tem would serve out the remainder of the term. Currently that position is held by Supervisor Richard Staub.
"From the research I've done, Carson City has never had a recall election," Glover said.
Teixeira is out of town and could not be reached for comment Friday.
Montrose declined to say where and when she would be attempting to collect signatures.
Teixeira's position is among the offices up for election in 2008.
• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.