Massachusetts

Fall River Considers Abolishing Mayor Position

The city of Fall River, Massachusetts, whose mayor is facing a recall election, is considering getting rid of the position altogether.

City Councilor Steven Camara announced Wednesday that a seven-member task force had been set up to explore a form of government using a city manager as its chief administrator. Camara will serve as the task force's chair.

The Fall River City Council voted unanimously last month in favor of a recall election if Mayor Jasiel Correia did not resign. He refused to do so.

Correia was arrested in October on federal fraud charges. He is accused of collecting $360,000 from investors to develop an app, but spending more than $230,000 of the funds to pay for a lavish lifestyle and advance his political career.

"I've seen mayors come and go. Some have been good, some have been not so good," Camara said, according to NBC affiliate WJAR. "I would love to see someone who is professional, who is free from politics."

In addition to Camara, the task force consists of Vice Chair Kevin Aguiar, Judith Conrad, Karl Hetzler, Michael Quinn, Gloria Saddler and Cathy Ann Viveiros.

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