I want to take this opportunity to explain why I feel that the option of recall is the right decision for citizens of East Ridge.

One of the items that the East Ridge City Council voted on Thursday night was a list of issues they will take to our Tennessee legislators to try to make changes in Tennessee state laws.

One of those items is, “The city seeks to have the ouster statue amended to provide that in unsuccessful actions by the citizens pursuing such actions will be responsible for legal fees and expenses of the official and/or the city.”

My question is: why pursue changing the laws for all citizens in the state if an issue in East Ridge needs to be addressed? Let’s address it within our local government, and let other local governments do the same within their boundaries.

My request for looking into making recall an option in East Ridge has nothing to do with my feelings about any current elected officials in East Ridge. I did not sign the recent ouster petition, and anyone can ask Mayor Steele if you want to verify that.

My belief is that we should have smaller government and put more power in the hands of the people. A recall would do that. The ouster suit tied up valuable court time and resources. Those who were subpoenaed to testify had their lives and businesses disrupted. A recall would not have done this, and the decision would have been in the hands of the citizens and not the courts.

If the option of a recall had been available would the group that filed the recent ouster suit have used the recall option? I have asked some that moved forward with the suit, and they said yes, they would have preferred to have had the option of recall. But it was not available.

If the council proceeds with a charter change to allow a recall provision, then in the 2010 election East Ridge citizens would decide at the polls if they want to include in the city charter the option to recall elected officials. Here again, the decision would be made by the citizens.

If the charter change passed in the election, then there are other procedures that would have to take place if a recall of an elected official was ever pursued.

"Tennessee Code Annotated 2-5-151 petitions for recall, referendum or initiative" already has guidelines for recall, if a charter has a recall provision.

To summarize: before a petition can be circulated, at least one registered voter will file with the county election commission the proper form of the petition and the text of the question posed in the petition.

The election commission will have to certify if the petition is in the proper form for final approval.

The petition will have to be signed by at least 15% of those registered to vote in the city. The completed petition will be filed with the election commission for final certification. The question will then be placed on the ballot of the next general municipal or county election.

Then the citizens will make the decision. Every registered voter that casts a ballot would have their voice heard.

I urge those of you who feel as I do to contact the mayor and members of the council. Let them know that you like the idea of having a voice in a decision as to whether or not an elected official is removed from office or stays in. Hopefully, a recall will never have to happen in East Ridge, but if the time came when an elected official in our city was not doing their job in the best interests of the city then the citizens would not have to wait four years to have their voices heard.

As it stands now, after an official is elected they know that they don’t really have to answer to the voters until their term is up and they run for reelection. If the possibility of a recall vote was available, those same elected officials would know that their term of office could be cut short by citizens removing them from office by popular vote.

Put the power of government in the hands of those that are governed.

Frances Pope
Proud to be a citizen of East Ridge
mfpope@bellsouth.net