Carthage voters say ‘yes’ to removing controversial council member

CARTHAGE, Mo. — It was an historic election in Carthage, as residents in the city's fifth ward took to polls to vote in the first recall election in Jasper County history.

Around 10:15 Tuesday night (11/5), Jasper County Clerk, Charlie Davis read the election results to those gathered in the atrium of the Jasper County Courthouse.

The last result Davis announced was the "Carthage Question," which asked Ward Five residents to vote 'yes' or 'no' for the removal of Tiffany Cossey from the office of Carthage City Council Ward Five.

The decision to recall councilmember, Tiffany Cossey was placed in the hands of approximately 2,000 registered voters of Ward Five in Carthage.

The crowd cheered when Davis announced Cossey lost the battle with 1,187 total votes cast – 730 were a 'yes,' while 457 were a 'no.' Of the 1,277 Ward 5 voters, 90 people skipped the question on the ballot.

The results of the election sealed Cossey's fate and takes effect immediately.

This past summer, more than 500 signatures were gathered on a petition to recall Cossey. A total of 508 signatures were certified by Jasper County Clerk, Charlie Davis, and allowed the recall question to be placed on the November 5 ballot.

In less than 30 days, volunteers supporting a recall were able to collect all the signatures required.

Cossey has been at the center of controversy since 2023 when the previous council moved to censure her. The censure came after a city employee filed a claim against her for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

Her behavior at council meetings has left many residents stunned — not only in Carthage but around the area — all of it leading to a successful and historic recall.

"I think it kind of lets everyone know, hey, we don't get to say whatever we want, we don't get to do whatever we want, we don't get to come into meetings and say we're going to fire people. We don't get to block people's unanimous appointments. I think it puts us on a path to better behavior overall," said recall supporter, Kirk Friesen.

We've reached out to Cossey for comment but have yet to hear a response. She did, however, post on Facebook just prior to when polls closed Tuesday night.

"Regardless of tonight's results, I have appreciated the opportunity to serve as your Ward 5 representative, and I will continue to do what is right for Carthage," wrote Cossey.

Another Facebook post from Cossey came from her "Reject the Recall" campaign page. On Tuesday evening, prior to the release of final election results from Jasper County, Cossey stated, "Win or lose, I'm going to be right there with you, continuing to work to make things right in our community."

In an effort to fight back and convince voters to reject the recall by voting 'no,' Cossey raised a considerable amount from local donors in Carthage. Most of them are affiliated with, or have donated money to the political action group, Carthage Citizens United (CCU).

According to a disclosure report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission in late October, Cossey raised $3,348.90 since October 1, all in an effort to maintain her seat on the Carthage City Council. The report also shows a loan in the amount of $1,500 from herself, to her "reject the recall" efforts, more formally known as the "Carthage for Cossey Committee."

This now leaves three open council seats, the mayor's impeachment still in question, no city administrator, no city attorney, and no fire chief. We will check in with the city to see what happens next. The next city council meeting is scheduled for November 12.

How Did We Get Here?

This tense power struggle within Carthage city government first emerged in mid-2023, when Mayor Dan Rife fired all the board members of the city-owned Carthage Water and Electric Plant because they failed to comply with his request for financial details.

The City Council immediately reinstated the members of the board, drawing a battle line that pitted former City Administrator Greg Dagnan, Mayor Dan Rife, and former City Attorney Nate Dally against the council and backers of the CWEP board.

That was followed by criminal charges of embezzlement against former Parks & Recreation Director Mark Peterson, after Dagnan reportedly found money missing when preparing the city budget. After a forensic audit, Peterson is facing felony charges of money laundering and stealing.

Backers of CWEP's board, dotted with powerful people, including some elected officials, formed a political action committee, Carthage Citizens United, to promote candidates for the City Council who would fire Dagnan and impeach Rife.

That slate of Jana Schramm, Tom Barlow, Dustin Edge, and Derek Peterson – son of the accused former Parks & Recreation director – was elected April 2, and immediately fired Dagnan and started the impeachment of Rife, who had blocked the firing. The city attorney, the administrative assistant, the fire chief, and a few other city employees resigned.

Dagnan has sued the City for wrongful termination and defamation, and against CCU for tortious interference with his contract, and Rife had sued to stop his impeachment because of due process. All of this has led to legal missteps, illegally closed meetings, and rebuke by the state attorney general's office. Dustin Edge resigned from the council. Tiffany Cossey lost her council seat after a large majority of voters from Ward 5 said 'yes' to a recall question on the November 2024 ballot.

The city also received a letter from its insurer warning that coverage could be lost or diminished because "terminations by the council" were not following employment law.

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