The issue: 1,400-plus signatures were delivered to recall an OBFPD board member
What we think: The system works
A constituent took exception to the way an entity he lives in was being governed.
Instead of carping about the actions of the board or specific member, he did something about.
While the uproar over the sudden dismissal and reputation trashing of Osage Beach Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Dorhauer last December led to his eventual reinstatement, the situation didn’t heal itself.
Fire district resident Justin Farrell put his words into action and sparked a petition drive to have fire board member Jim Schneider removed from the position.
Late last week, Farrell and his associates turned in more than 1,400 names for verification to the county clerks in Camden and Miller counties.
Once the signatures are certified and the minimum number verified (10 percent of the registered voters in the preceding gubernatorial election), the recall issue will be put on the ballot.
Then voters of the district will determine if board member Schneider’s actions are worthy of his removal from the board.
This is how government is supposed to work.
Farrell and his supporters faced an uphill battle in not only convincing voters to put their signature on the line but also convincing them it was in the district’s best interest to pay for a special election.
Farrell apparently succeeded in collecting the necessary number of signatures (he says he has more than enough to meet the 1,356 required), although more will be solicited until the early July deadline, just in case.
The clerks in the county offices will now work toward verifying the signatures.
Regardless of opinions on whether this was a worthwhile endeavor, note that this is government at the grassroots level. It is government of the people, by the people and for the people. Now it is time for the people of the fire district to decide if they want to retain Schneider on the board.
