'She never responded': Petition started to remove Sheumaker from Des Moines City Council
The constituent who started the petition said Sheumaker has not been responsive
The constituent who started the petition said Sheumaker has not been responsive
The constituent who started the petition said Sheumaker has not been responsive
An apartment property manager has started a petition to remove Indira Sheumaker from the Des Moines City Council.
Sheumaker represents Ward 1, which includes neighborhoods like Beaverdale, Merle Hay and River Bend.
Angelo Thorne manages an apartment building on Sixth Avenue in the River Bend neighborhood. They told KCCI they reached out to Sheumaker in spring of 2022, to help take care of crime at a nearby convenience store.
"There was drug and prostitution going on in front and trafficking. They were coming on our property actually," Thorne said.
Thorne said Sheumaker never responded, so they turned to at-large city council members, who helped get the store shut down by the end of the summer of 2022.
Thorne said they again reached out to Sheumaker for other problems in the area, like drugs, prostitution and lighting. Thorne said they still got no response from Sheumaker, so they started a petition.
"It's time you get to the plate or step out. You need to step down because this is the second time you haven't shown up," Thorne said.
Sheumaker has missed the last two city council meetings. Since taking office in January of 2022, she has missed more meetings than any other council member.
It's unclear where the petition effort could go next. Thorne said they are working to get clarity from the city. One thing they know for sure, they want a little attention in Ward 1.
"I was really wanting to see what she was able to do. I wanted to see if she proved me wrong on why I didn't vote for her. And I'm glad I didn't vote for her," Thorne said.
Sheumaker has not responded to KCCI's request for comment.