Sunday, February 27, 2011

Recall Procedures for Municipalities

Recall procedures are getting more and more common in today's challenging economic times, especially when taxes and fees keep going up, while people are experiencing layoffs, cut backs in pay and benefits, or hours worked.  Voters are expected to be fairly represented by their elected officials, and if this is not the case, there might be sufficient grounds for a recall.  On March 15, 2011, a recall election will be held in Miami-Dade County to recall Mayor Carlos Alvarez and County Commissioner Natachas Saijas.  Here is a link to a recent article printed in the Miami Herald.  Miami Herald Article  Here is another article that gives a little more background in this case.  Carlos Alvarez Recall, Miami Dade County, 2011  The main reason for this recall is an increase in taxes, in some cases up to 14%, and increasing the salaries of the public officials.   

According to the Polk City Charter, under Article VIII - Qualified Voters; Powers, Section C-35; Recalls P.C. Charter Article VIII - C-35: Voters Powers - Recalls it refers to the Florida State Statute F.S. 100.361 where the procedure for Municipal Recalls is outlined in detail.  Florida State Statute 100.361 Municipal Recall .  There are also many cases of City Council Recalls throughout the nation as shown in this link:  City Council Recalls. Florida State Representative Kriseman introduced a bill in February, 2011 to allow recalls in the Florida House & Senate, as described in this article: Florida Ballot News

This recall procedure gives the power to the voters to remove any elected official from office who does not represent his/her constituents.  After all, they are working for us, and are our voice in the decision making process that affects our daily lives. 

7 comments:

  1. My fellow citizens , it is time to hire an attorney and move forward with recalling those who are not representing the people of Polk City best interest and who are help bent on compounding our debt . Understand that they will force those residents who are not on city sewer to hook up to the city sewer system . This is the only way the rates will drop

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  2. IT IS TIME TO STOP SAYING HIRE AN ATTORNEY, IT IS TIME TO DO IT. WE NEED TO MEET AT THE PARK OR SOME DESIGNATED PLACE AND GET STARTED.

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  3. Somebody get this going and together we can stop the nonsense. Bob and the previous poster are right, quit talking about it and make it happen. We have enough trash on this city to get it done. How do we raise the money?

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  4. I have 10.00 dollars is that a start ..? I know its not much but its all I have right now, find a conservative attorney...key to this deal, conservative freedom loving american attorney !

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  5. I pledge $150.00 towards the effort , time is now to organize and hire legal counsel. I'm asking Concerned citizens of Polk City to take the ball and run with it. You have the support of your fellow citizens and the list of e mail addresses to accomplish getting the recall going .
    Mr. Robert W. Bersey

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  6. I have never lived in a community, NOT EVEN A CITY, where the majority is led to the slaughter despite their pleas to be heard and their voices so quelled by four egotistical, small-minded, blind and arrogant men and women. Further, they bolster their scheming by hiring a city attorney who only has the interest of a couple of the council members and himself at heart rather than the city of CITIZENS whom he should represent.

    It was such an obvious move that he was selected without bringing before the council any other attorney names and qualifications before his hiring. I wonder just what kind of others will be added into the "mix". They are the ones getting the water and sewer money that we are compelled to pay!!

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  7. We the People of Polk City have not lost the battle .Victory will be ours. If we hire legal counsel NOW , We the People can organize and plan our battle strategy with the help of an attorney . Then let our city council refuse our request for.a recall. To be successful on must have a well thought out plan. Then go into battle .

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