Residents are working to recall the mayor whose staff spent public money on purchases from and for her family members.
KTVA-TV reports 18 residents who applied for the recall petition against North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower began collecting signatures last week. They have until Jan. 8 to gather 492 signatures to force a new election.
In a statement, Brower said she is disappointed by the recall effort but that she respects the political process.
Petitioners cite the borough spending more than $8,400 to send Brower's daughters and grandchildren to basketball camp, as well as $7,000 that bought sealskin vests from her daughter.
Brower has denied knowledge of the purchases, though documents obtained by the Alaska Dispatch News show a handwritten note with her name on the basketball camp request for funds.