DeKALB | A group of 3rd Ward residents are campaigning to get newly-elected Alderman Victor Wogen to either resign or to publicly apologize for his role in sending out a controversial mailer.

The group is asking Wogen to step down and allow a new election to take place, but Wogen refuses to quit.

In an interview last week, Wogen said he was done discussing the mailer.

Sarah Corrigan and Christine Kahle, representatives of the group, have written letters, addressed the city council, and voiced their concerns on the radio. City attorney Norma Guess told the two at last week’s city council meeting there is no legal reason the city can refuse to let Wogen take office.

“We’re putting together a petition. That’s all we can do,” Corrigan said. “We hope to make enough noise. That he’s done talking now is unacceptable.”

Corrigan and Kahle originally approached Wogen before the election to ask about a postcard they received listing code violations on the incumbent Steve Kapitan’s house. The card also stated that Kapitan was “pro-gay” and “pro-socialist.” When Wogen denied knowledge of the postcard, both women said they voted for him.

Last week Wogen admitted to paying postage on the postcards. Corrigan and Kahle said they feel cheated with this recent development. In response, they have started a petition seeking Wogen’s resignation.

Going door-to-door is slow, said Kahle. Helping with the petition is Mark Kahle, who is building a Web site that will link residents to the petition on the Internet.

Even though the petition is open to only 3rd Ward residents, Kahle has received calls from people throughout DeKalb.

“People are responding because he’ll be making decisions for the whole city,” she said.

Corrigan said the group is in touch with State Representative Bob Pritchard’s office.

“We want his help putting something on the books in case this happens again,” Corrigan said. “We hired [Wogen]. We should be able to fire him.”