EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

Seward County Commission Chair Steve Helm has filed a lawsuit against those who filed a recall petition against him.

In addition to the three signators — Jimmie Rice, Marie Noblejas and Rick Madden — Helm has also listed Seward County Clerk Stacia Long and Seward County Attorney Russell Hassenbank in their official capacities.

The petition to review the sufficiency of the recall petition alleges the petition is insufficient because Helm did not have individual authority to use restricted solid waste funds to pay for the salary of the assistant county administrator because the action was approved by a majority of the Seward County Commission as a whole.

Helm cast several votes to approve using the restricted solid waste fund along with commissioners Jario Vazquez, John Mettlen and Clay Louderback. Commissioner Todd Stanton did not vote for using the funds once it was discovered those funds were restricted and could only be used for landfill expenses.

Vazquez and Louderback are seeking election to the Seward County Commission, and according to statute, anyone serving and facing an election within six months cannot be recalled.

Helm is being represented by Zachary Schultz from the Schultz Law Office in Garden City.

According to the filing, those listed have 21 days to provide an answer to Helm’s claims.