Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Purpose of Recall



Dear Mr. Schuster

Thank you for your comments. Having just read the comments of Mike Kiger and the quotes from Brian Fox and Craig Maxey, it is evident that these political leaders do not understand the role of recall in a democratic society.

Under our charter, and the charter of many other cities, there are several avenues for democratic participation. The first that comes to mind is the election of representatives to fulfill governmental functions. Elections, however, do not creat immunity and merely staying clear of criminal conduct does not have any relevance to the issue of recall.

It is clear that it is possible that at time people may wish to change their elected officials for a wide variety of reasons. People may have made mistakes in the selection of representatives, repsresnetives may be selected because they misrepresented their views to the public or that they simply, once elected either fail to perform their duties or continue to pursue a policy that is anathema to the citizens of the community. In such cases, citizens do not have to wait the entire time of an elected official to remove the official from office, but may use the recall process to replace the representative.

The recall process does not require that there be proof of criminal misconduct nor is it any less democratic than any other election. To suggest that those who choose to excercise democratic rights are ''cowardly'' as Mr. Kiger does merely demonstrates his lack of understanding of democratic institutions.
Moreover, it is suprising to here from a person who never was appointed, rather than elected, to the office of city council that is is ''unfair'' to submit the question of whether he should remain in office to the voters. Mroever, it particulary sad to hear elected officals claim that they ahve a right to stay in office merely because they have steared clear of a felony conviction.





By David Shaver

Recall 2

My apologies for the typos. The last message was sent before correction due to my inability to control a keyboard effectively.

The last point I would like to make is that I hope that my policies and positions adequately reflect the views of a substantial portion of the electorate who put me in office and that even those who disagree with me on occassion feel that I contribute to the government of this community more than I detract. Should it ever become apparent, however, that my views, however honestly held, do not represent the community in which I live, it would certainly be the right of the citizens to use the same deocratic process that elected me to remove me from office. I would hope that my fellow council members feel the same.

I should tell you that I have been threatened with recall should anyone insitute a recall against another councilman. When I am told this, I believe that is someohow meant to threaten me. If so, it is unfortunate, but it is not threatening. I have no fear of the recall process. If I am recalled by democratic processes because I no longer can effectively represent the people who originally elected me, I would hopefully accept the decision with dignity and continue to work for the betterment of the community in some other role.

By David Shaver

Thanks

Thanks for posting your opinion David, I just read Mike Kiger's comments too and I think it is a bad choice that Mike used the word ''coward'' to explain his opinion. I will watch Mike's actions in the near future with interest. I believe he needs some time to hang around with the current city of Pickerington hierarchy. I think he may be intelligent and if this is true, it will not be long until he can see the real score in Pickerington and he may realize his mistake.


Others that have been close to those in controlling influencers of the city, have seen the light and either left or are trying to leave. I wonder if Ms. Crotty's application for the Faifield County Economic Director position is just a career enhancing move or another person jumping the Bushman ship. I'll bet she has a few other applications on the market if she is smart.


About that threat of recall, I figured you would get this one, after all Daryl Berry ran the Linda Wilson recall and PAID for a company to walk the petitions to gather signatures for such.

By the way there were errors on those Linda Wilson petitions, similar to the ''fatal'' errors on later referendum petitions that the city rejected. Mr. Mapes stated that since this recall was a process covered extensively by the charter, that it was easier for the city to ''overlook'' these errors when they rushed this recall to the ballot.

I am glad you feel confident in your support, I think if they try to recall you that your assesment would be correct and that you do represent the views of those who elected you.

Thanks again for your efforts to improve our community.

Interesting....

David,

It is interesting what you wrote. Thanks for your continued honesty. It is a trait we don?’t see from the other City officials. Thanks too for admitting we all make mistakes. Didn?’t you have a Kiger sign in front of your office? ;-)

When the Washington seat was open you were very involved and vocal about the process of replacing him. Will you be as involved and vocal in the go round? Since there are 2 seats open, are you limiting your support to Ted Hackworth only? Last time you mentioned by name a couple of others you felt were more qualified that Maxey. Do you still support those individuals and will you come out in support of them?

Thanks


By Voter