1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election

none January 2025 January 2025 1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election South Dakota presidential no 1959 Sioux Falls mayoral election 1959 1964 Sioux Falls mayoral election 1964 December 19, 1961 150x150px First round Runoff V. L. Crusinberry File:3x4.svg Nonpartisan 12,875 71.62% c0c0c0 Fay Wheeldon File:3x4.svg Nonpartisan 5,103 28.38% c0c0c0 Mayor Fay Wheeldon Nonpartisan V. L. Crusinberry Nonpartisan The 1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall election took place on December 19, 1961. Incumbent Mayor Fay Wheeldon faced a recall election over allegations that the city police department was badly run. Former Fire Department Chief V. L. Crusinberry challenged Wheeldon in the recall election and defeated him in a landslide, winning 72 percent of the vote. Candidates Fay Wheeldon, incumbent Mayor V. L. Crusinberry, former Chief of the City Fire Department, Deputy State Fire MarshalSmith David H. Crusinberry to Oppose Mayor in Recall Race Argus Leader October 12, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175996435/ July 5, 2025 Campaign On August 14, 1961, Captain Jack Stone, a member of the Sioux Falls Police Department, resigned from the force, alleging that there were "intolerable conditions" within the department. Police Chief Kenneth B. Chamberlain and Mayor Wheeldon denied the allegations, with Wheeldon observing that the current composition of the department is "the finest department in the history of Sioux Falls."Noteboom Lloyd Chief Chamberlain Says Stene Should Be Specific Argus Leader August 22, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175997187/ July 5, 2025 Wheeldon said that he "would welcome a legal investigation of the Police Department."Noteboom Lloyd Wheeldon Welcomes 'Legal Investigation' Argus Leader August 31, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175997386/ July 5, 2025 Thirty policemen signed a petition requesting an investigation of the Department. Lieutenant Herb Hawkey, one of the petitioners, alleged that he was denied a promotion to captain because he "nursemaided" Wheeldon during several drinking sprees. Wheeldon denied the allegations, which he condemned as a "particularly reckless and vicious attack."Noteboom Lloyd Police Lieutenant Tells of 'Nursemaiding' S.F. Mayor Argus Leader September 22, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175997492/ July 5, 2025 Chief Chamberlain fired several of the petitioners, who appealed their termination to the city Civil Service Board.Noteboom Lloyd Civil Service Board Will Step Aside If Requested Argus Leader October 1, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175998012/ July 5, 2025 State's Attorney William Clayton subsequently filed a removal action against Chamberlain.Court Takes Chamberlain Ouster Case Argus Leader October 24, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175998056/ July 5, 2025 A campaign began gathering petitions to force a recall of Wheeldon, citing the police department controversy. After the campaign submitted a sufficient number of petitions to the city, the City Commission scheduled the election for December 19, 1961.Noteboom Lloyd City Commission Sets Recall Election for December 19 Argus Leader November 10, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175998129/ July 5, 2025 Former Fire Chief V. L. Crusinberry was the only candidate to file against Wheeldon. Wheeldon condemned the recall election and Crusinberry's candidacy, alleging that union-backed "professional city-wreckers" who "want loose law enforcement" were behind the recall election.Wheeldon Says Opponent Is 'Handpicked' Union Member Argus Leader December 5, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175998270/ July 5, 2025 The Argus Leader endorsed against the recall election, writing that Wheeldon "does not deserve the stigma of a recall" because he "has been a good mayor for Sioux Falls during a period of unprecedented prosperity." It criticized the recall campaign for a lack of transparency on "the reason for the big hurry in recalling the Mayor."Our Opinion on Tuesday's Election Argus Leader December 17, 1961 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/175998219/ July 5, 2025 Ultimately, Wheeldon lost the election in a landslide, receiving only 28 percent of the vote to Crusinberry's 72 percent. Results 1961 Sioux Falls mayoral recall electionSpecial City Election - December 19, 1961 Sioux Falls City Clerk https://amv.siouxfalls.gov/publicaccess/api/Document/AUAJWLllMcsWC1UCpj%C3%89CRc6yJEABmSvYqhiGfQAe5KxLoaD8opt2%C3%89%C3%81jdH0BjqJx7yUUeGmO2SmAxlJ2DECQVpjc%3D/ July 5, 2025 V. L. Crusinberry Nonpartisan candidate 12,875 71.62% Fay Wheeldon (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 5,103 28.38% 17,978 100.00% References Category:Government of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sioux Falls Category:December 1961 in the United States Sioux Falls 1961 Category:Mayoral elections in Sioux Falls, South Dakota