Mayor Deidre Petrosky used binders of records to push back on allegations from last month’s meeting, while residents pressed for her resignation and circulated a recall petition.
CORTLAND, Ohio - Cortland residents are stepping up efforts to recall Mayor Deidre Petrosky as tensions carried into another heated city council meeting Wednesday night.
Outside city hall before the meeting, resident Michael Matheny, who is helping circulate a recall petition, said the effort is aimed at what he calls a “pattern of corruption.”
“The mayor needs to resign and call it a day. There have been over a quarter million dollars wasted by her through what she’s been doing,” Matheny said. He added that many Cortland residents, particularly older voters, aren’t aware of the controversy because they aren’t online. “We’re trying to get the word out … the more word we can get out, the better we’re going to be as far as getting her recalled.”
Organizers say they need about 1,200 signatures to move the recall forward and have collected several hundred so far.
Inside the meeting, Petrosky came prepared with binders of documents and meeting minutes, responding line by line to accusations made at the August 18 council session. At that meeting, resident Gerald Bayus accused her of bullying employees and misusing city funds, while Councilwoman Kathy Fleischer agreed with his claims. Council then voted down an emergency ordinance tied to Interim Service Director Sean Ratican.
“We received 33 applications. Council’s top three were interviewed. The process was rigorous and documented,” Petrosky said Wednesday, defending how the interim position was filled.
She also argued her use of emergency powers was justified, pointing to potential fines from the Ohio EPA. “Tonight, I’ve worked to clarify the facts, dispel misinformation, and provide a transparent account of where we stand as a city,” she said.
But many residents continued to push back. One told the mayor, “The reason and the only reason you are mayor is because no one ran against you, we didn’t vote for you.”
Bayus also returned to the microphone, clashing directly with the mayor. “So are we gonna listen, or are we gonna walk out and leave?” he asked. Petrosky left the meeting after the exchange.
Not all of the testimony was critical. Some residents defended Petrosky, praising her transparency and leadership.
Petrosky said she plans to continue responding to additional comments from the August 18 meeting when council reconvenes later this month.