Going once, going twice, going three times…to the vote of the people.
Once upon a time, a man was elected to the office of Governor of California. This elected official had committed no crime, however, a select few industrial leaders with very deep pockets decided that they didn’t like this elected official’s plans to re-regulate energy and cut into their ever-growing profits so they decided to begin a recall that would play on the public’s frustration over increasingly frequent brownouts and skyrocketing energy costs!
At the time, the populace was ignorant to the fact that those funding the recall were tied directly to the problems and cost increases that they were experiencing. Later the public would learn that the brownouts were created by design and hear with disgust taped recordings made by these robber barons where they laughed gleefully about the so-called “energy crisis.”
…the “Governator” was born and the integrity of public office died.
California Republicans and big money had opened a can of worms that soon found its way to Saint Charles County. Jeff Morrison was elected to office but an unpopular stance catapulted him right into a recall.
The next local elected official to face recall was Dottie Greer. What reason had been given to overturn the results of this duly elected official? What terrible crime or misdemeanor had this official committed that caused powerful developers and the movers and shakers to spend thousands of dollars (and the way it looks, our taxpayers’ dollars) to begin a recall using hired help (and at $5/signature, the potential hourly wage wasn’t too shabby)?
After a failed attempt to make the sale of fireworks illegal, Dottie Greer offered up a compromise city ordinance to limit the use of fireworks to three days and in return the City would expect stricter enforcement. The result was the issuance of more summonses for the illegal use of firework than ever before, in fact, the ordinance on the books was never enforced! Dottie also supported a flag post style cellular tower on church property within her ward to solve severe lack of cellular coverage in the area.
Doesn’t every elected official regularly make unpopular choices? How many elected officials have taken tough, unpopular stances throughout the years that might have resulted in their recall had we played by the current game rules? These willy-nilly recall petitions undermine the result of our elections, cost our community resources, intimidate elected officials from taking difficult stances, and deter Jacksonian Democracy in favor of elitist politics.
Our City should consider a charter amendment that provides for recalls when elected officials commit crimes, not when they step on the toes of the powerful!
