COMMISSIONER CHERRYL WALKER FACES RECALL
By
Vivian Kirkpatrick-Pilger
August 7, 2014
NewsWithViews.com
Why is Cherryl Walker facing a recall?
Most folks will remember the four nuisance ordinances that were adopted by the Board of Commissioners, 2 - 1, with Keith Heck joining Cherryl Walker in passing the ordinances and Simon Hare voting against the ordinances. This triggered a massive citizen response by having one of the quickest collection of signatures, to have a referendum put on the ballot, in a very long time. This created a special election which cost the taxpayers $30,000.
Once the signatures had been collected then Ms. Walker and Mr. Heck decided that there would be no pamphlet or voters guide in with the ballots to explain the reasons for the referendum. They claimed there was not enough money. People from around the county collected the money to put a statement in the voters pamphlet and Sandi Cassanelli presented it at a Commissioners meeting. The Commissioners then said that they did not need the money, they had the money (all along?) to print the statement in with the ballot. No less than 16 other people filed statements stating reasons why these ordinances should be repealed. Probably one of the longest ballot pamphlets in recent memory, the Board of Commissioners also printed the numerous pages of the Ordinances. All of this resulted in a repeal of the four ordinances by about 80% of the voters with a 50% turnout. Good job Josephine County Voters!
Since that happened Ms. Walker has proceeded to harass citizens at meetings by calling the police to enforce non-existent rules. Then the Board produced a new Ordinance and passed it to enable Ms. Walker to enforce her "no camera zone" in the Ann Basker Auditorium. All because one man had been video taping the meetings for a number of years without any objection from anyone. His camera, set on a tripod was in between chairs and appeared to be no less of a trip hazard that the string of wires that run from the dais where the Commissioners sit to the Podium where the public gets to speak. And that leads us to the next item of interest.
Ms. Walker's next move was to attempt to remove public comment from the weekly business session. While you will hear that they have no obligation to "let people speak" at this meeting, it has been a long standing (in every community) practice that the public has a period of time to comment. The Grants Pass City Council allows 5 minutes per person. The Board of Commissioners allows 3 minutes per person. Or had. On the May 14, 2014, Agenda, Item 2, Requests/Comments from Citizens (always listed after Administrative Actions, and comments are taken before they vote on the Administrative Items) was as usual listed in its normal place on the Agenda. On the following Agenda, May 21, 2014, "Requests from Citizens" was listed as Item 5, noting that the word "comments" had been removed, and some more verbiage had been added "("Commissioners will hear the requests and refer it to County staff or schedule it for future discussion.) The Board is available during the week to meet with citizens". Due to pressure from the other commissioners, Ms. Walker restored the "Comments from the Public" to its' usual place on the Agenda.
These things, along with several other instances have all led citizens to believe we cannot afford another two years of Cherryl Walker on our Board of Commissioners. This brings us to the current recall. If you believe that the Board of Commissioners is elected to do the business of the County and should listen to the people that elected them; you would probably want to sign to place the recall on the ballot.
|
|
To sign a petition there are two methods. One, you can go in person to one of the businesses listed below which have agreed to have petitions available to sign, or you can go one line and print out an "E-Petition" which requires your signature and an envelope and stamp, and you can mail it to the Recall Committee. Following is the link to the E-Petition: And the address to send it to is here, and all you need is a stamp if you would like to, you can print it the address on the other side of the petition and fold it over as it directs and tape it shut and mail it in. Also, there is usually a table at the Grower's Market on Saturday where petitions are available. There will also be a booth in the Commerce Building During the County Fair with petitions for the Recall Cherryl Walker efforts. And you can often find someone in front of the post office as time allows, collecting signatures.
YOU CAN FIND PETITIONS AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
Dave's
TV and Electronic Repair
938 SW 6th St., Grants Pass
541-479-3915
C-PROS
Ammo and Shooting Supplies
1210 NW 6th St., Grants Pass
541-761-8975
Mary's
Mini Mart
18090 Redwood Highway, Selma
541-597-4417
199
Auto Repair
8510 Redwood Highway, Grants Pass
541-474-0453
Illinois
Valley Veterinary Services
102 Hogue Dr., Selma
541-592-2338
2nd
Amendment Gun LLC
2701 Coed Place, Grants Pass
541-472-8457
Oregon
California Supply
574 F St., Grants Pass
541-479-5990
http://www.walkerrecall.com/cwrp.pdf
© 2014 Vivian Kirkpatrick-Pilger - All Rights Reserved
Related Articles:
1-
Commissioner Cherryl Walker,
Kangaroo Court and Big Fines
2- Josephine County, Oregon:
Sad Failure of Central Planning
3- Commissioners
Cherryl Walker and Keith Heck Misinformed
4- Bureaucrat
Cherry Walker - The Bully in Josephine County Government
5- What
the Grants Pass Daily Courier Failed to Report
6- County
Government vs. Citizens, Part 1
7- County
Government vs. Citizens, Part 2
8- County
Government vs. Citizens, Part 3
9- County
Government vs. Citizens, Part 4
10-
How
Dennis Roler and The Daily Courier Politically Assassinates Fiscal
Conservatives.
Share
This ArticleVivian Kirkpatrick-Pilger is a Grants Pass resident. She has lived in Grants Pass for 4 years, and previously lived, during what she refers to as her "former life", in Southern California where she was a political activist and a frequent contributor to various publications. Her background in business includes serving in an elected position as a Director of a Sanitary District, served as President, and as Treasurer of a Homeowner's Association for 18 years, in addition to serving on various Boards and Commissions for the County and City in which she lived.
Vivian worked at the University of California for 28 years. She was the Manager of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University for 18 of those years. In Josephine County, she is also a community activist, who champions conservative causes. Vivian is a past Rural Planning Commissioner, currently serves on the Hillcrest Cemetery Board of Trustees, and is an elected Precinct Committee Person for the Republican Party.
E-Mail:
vivkirk@yahoo.com
