Published: September 16, 2008 10:22 am      

Recall petition certified

Chelsea L. McGowan

cmcgowan@weatherforddemocrat.com

The recall petitions filed in an effort to remove Clem Smith and Jan Barton from Weatherford’s City Council have been certified as valid, leaving it up to the council to decide whether or not to petition Gov. Rick Perry for an emergency election.

The minimum number of signatures needed for the petitions to be valid was 471, and this standard was just barely met, with 479 voters signing a petition to recall Smith, and 478 voters signing the petition to recall Barton.

At least 10 percent of those signatures were contributed by citizens who voted in the election at which the officers were elected in May 2005.

The recall petitions were filed Sept. 6, following several weeks of allegations that Barton and Smith were serving in violation of the city charter.

Both have stated that they will not resign their posts.

At this time, there is some speculation as to whether or not the current situation in Weatherford justifies an emergency election, which will cost taxpayers an estimated $6,000.

The issue is slated to be addressed at tonight’s council session.

If either the council does not submit the recall petition to the Governor’s office, or the petition is submitted, but denied, the recall would take a place on the May 2009 ballot, where Barton and Smith will already be running for re-election.