CLEVELAND — East Cleveland City Council member Lateek Shabazz’s name is on a notice that was sent to East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King’s office.

The notice informed the mayor that the city had received enough petition signatures to initiate a recall election. It was the second recall vote against king in a year. Like the last one, it failed, but by a much higher margin. Roughly 70% of voters opted to keep King in office.

“The people done spoke,” Shabazz said. “We can’t go against the people. We the servants of the people. You know? They spoke.”

Spectrum News reached out to King several times for comment, and even went to his office at city hall. His chief of staff said the mayor was not in his office on Tuesday and responded by saying the recall results are a mandate. He didn’t elaborate.

Shabazz said he was also behind the first recall of King, which King survived by only a handful of votes last year. He said he wants to mend his relationship with King, despite the fact that King filed a criminal complaint against him, accusing him of taking down notices posted by King about a council meeting. Shabazz was charged with criminal mischief and obstructing official business. He was arraigned a week ago and pleaded not guilty. Shabazz said these are just accusations and denies any wrongdoing.

“Well, we have to work with the mayor, and we have to work for the people that I’m concerned about, which is the senior citizens,” Shabazz said. 

Council member Pat Blochowiak was a strong supporter of the recall and said she is disappointed at the results.

“I see East Cleveland’s loss as the result of a high tolerance for corruption, a low understanding of the need for fiscal responsibility, a low turnout, a slow judiciary and a number of well-meaning people who put one important issue over the needs of the city as a whole,” Blochoviak said. 

In the meantime, Shabazz said he’s hoping to schedule a meeting with the mayor so they can find common ground.

“The voters have spoken, and I respect that,” Shabazz said.