In case people up in Pickerington don't get a chance to see the papers down here.....
Resident files recall petition against Pickerington officials
By CARL BURNETT JR., cburnett@nncogannett.com
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
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A recall drive for five Pickerington officials has begun.
On Thursday, Bruce Rookstool submitted the blank petition forms providing the language needed to start the recall drive, which would force a special election to try and remove the officials.
''I've lived in the community for seven years and for six years I've watched the city expand,'' Rookstool said. ''The city has passed zoning items as emergency legislation so it couldn't be challenged, and it has placed an overwhelming burden on our schools.''
Rookstool said he was initiating the recall drive on five officials including Mayor Lou Postage and Pickerington council members Brian Fox, William Wright, Doug Parker and Craig Maxey.
''I think these people are the biggest part of the problem in our community,'' Rookstool said.
Pickerington Municipal Clerk Linda Yartin confirmed Friday that the initial petitions had been filed and has started a long process.
''First they have to go out and get 25 percent of the voters who voted in the last municipal election to sign the petitions,'' Yartin said.
Rookstool said it would take approximately 500 voters, but he was hoping to get more than 600 signatures per petition.
Then the petitions have to be turned into the clerk's office and she has the Board of Elections certify the voters are eligible to sign, having voted in the last municipal election.
After being certified with enough valid signatures, the clerk informs the city council and the elected officials who have five days to resign or a special election is required to be held 60 to 75 days later.
Pickerington City Councilman Brian Fox said the effort was a stunt by politically motivated individuals.
''It's an attempt by an extremist group in the Pickerington area to rig the next election,'' Fox said. ''They want to get rid of the people who might challenge them in the next election.''
But Fox said in his case the recall effort was not warranted under any circumstances.
''I don't plan to run again anyway. When I was elected chairman of the Fairfield County Republican Party eight months ago, I decided I wouldn't run again, so it is really a waste of time and money,'' Fox said.
Postage did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Originally published Saturday, March 29, 2003
Resident files recall petition against Pickerington officials
By CARL BURNETT JR., cburnett@nncogannett.com
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
-------------------------------------------------
A recall drive for five Pickerington officials has begun.
On Thursday, Bruce Rookstool submitted the blank petition forms providing the language needed to start the recall drive, which would force a special election to try and remove the officials.
''I've lived in the community for seven years and for six years I've watched the city expand,'' Rookstool said. ''The city has passed zoning items as emergency legislation so it couldn't be challenged, and it has placed an overwhelming burden on our schools.''
Rookstool said he was initiating the recall drive on five officials including Mayor Lou Postage and Pickerington council members Brian Fox, William Wright, Doug Parker and Craig Maxey.
''I think these people are the biggest part of the problem in our community,'' Rookstool said.
Pickerington Municipal Clerk Linda Yartin confirmed Friday that the initial petitions had been filed and has started a long process.
''First they have to go out and get 25 percent of the voters who voted in the last municipal election to sign the petitions,'' Yartin said.
Rookstool said it would take approximately 500 voters, but he was hoping to get more than 600 signatures per petition.
Then the petitions have to be turned into the clerk's office and she has the Board of Elections certify the voters are eligible to sign, having voted in the last municipal election.
After being certified with enough valid signatures, the clerk informs the city council and the elected officials who have five days to resign or a special election is required to be held 60 to 75 days later.
Pickerington City Councilman Brian Fox said the effort was a stunt by politically motivated individuals.
''It's an attempt by an extremist group in the Pickerington area to rig the next election,'' Fox said. ''They want to get rid of the people who might challenge them in the next election.''
But Fox said in his case the recall effort was not warranted under any circumstances.
''I don't plan to run again anyway. When I was elected chairman of the Fairfield County Republican Party eight months ago, I decided I wouldn't run again, so it is really a waste of time and money,'' Fox said.
Postage did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Originally published Saturday, March 29, 2003
