Petition and Recall

In my previous post I wrote about the Linn County Board of Supervisors and my support for Kraig Paulson's proposed bill allowing voters to petition to recall local officials. I wrote:

If the petition and recall bill included state officials, I would be all for it.

I was just being snarky. We already have the means to remove elected officials at all levels — it's called an election. While sentiment in Linn County is running high, making our elected officials constantly look over the shoulders for fear of recall would make it difficult to get work done. I expect my elected officials to make tough decisions both the Linn County Supervisors have many to make.

I do not however want to let them off the hook either. The three supervisors who lied about the salary issue will be held accountable. Lu Barron, Linda Langston and James Houser (did I mention that they are all Democrats) we will remember what you did come election day.

Comments

[Yoda]

How is a supervisor supporting and defending the liars any different than lying in the first place?

[Todd Versteegh]

I am in full support of this bill. Here in Johnson County--I'd love to have the ability to recall a local official whom has violated the public trust.

For example, we have a County Auditor who's had multiple arrests for OWI and has a demonstrated history of incompetance in running the County Auditor's office-yet the Democratic Party machine defends him to the death.

David, you're right--elections are the people's opportunity to replace an elected official..however, when an elected official egregiously violates the public trust..the public should also have the right to call for their removal.

Let's be honest here..up in Linn County, do you really think people are going to remember what has transpired over the past week four years from now? It will be swept under the rug and forgotten.

Is it any wonder why people hold such a cynical attitude about their government?