We can make this happen

As I write this we have just 34 days to get petitions signed and into the hands of our chief petitioner. It's not a lot of time and there is much to be done. This recall is important not only to me, or to Sally, or to all of you who are involved in it. It is critical to the city and the citizens of St. Helens. And, sadly, many of them don't even realize that.

I heard a citizen say recently that the next two elections (November 2008 and 2010) are critical to the future of the city. I happen to agree (although I'm a political beast and believe every election is important). These two particular elections are vital because they will frame the tenor of the city for many years to come. To elect Morten mayor, re-elect Keith Locke or Charles Grant this year, or re-elect Doug and Phil in 2010 means we can expect a council that all agrees that the financial stability of the city beyond their terms is not their problem. They will agree on everything that Doug and Phil want. Everything.

If Morten wins the election for mayor, he and his council of yes-men will be able to handpick the person of their choice to fill Morten's seat. Did you know that? That gives Morten his vote, the appointee's vote, Phil's vote, and assuming re-election of Charles and Keith, the remaining two votes. Envision a City run by a really nice guy who heartily shakes your hand and says whatever you want to hear and then does what ever he and his buds want. Talk about budget issues!

City employees (with few if any exceptions)and certainly the staff at City Hall and the Police Department are very concerned. For a guy who is always complaining about staff morale, and claiming he's our great savior and the great communicator, I wonder if he has any clue how truly disgruntled we will be under his leadership.

We worry about our jobs and the fiscal security of our employer. With these guys in direct control of all the city departments, are we likely to have better or more informed decision-making? Or, can we expect, as we too often see right now, just a free-for-all to see who can get their pet project pushed through first?

Both this November's election and the one in November 2010 are important. And for similar reasons this recall is just as important. Getting this to the ballot is a more than just a diversion for the November election this year, as some claim. Peterson needs to win the mayoral election and then we need to win the recall that follows.

We need to get Doug out before he does any more damage. We need to get Doug out for the city and it's citizens. And, to do that, we need to get the recall to the ballot; we've got just 34 days to make that happen.

Please commit to filling one petition to recall Phil and one to recall Doug. That's 20 signatures. There have been over 800 hits on this blog so even if there are only 20 people reading it, you 20 people can make the difference. 20 signatures each is 400 signatures. If each of us got just 20 signatures and convinced a friend to do the same, we could more than make this happen.

We need more than 1200 signatures, 600+ for each recall. Sally can't do that alone, no matter how much we wish she could. If you can only get five signatures or three signatures, get them! And, get your petitions to Sally or to me by the 24th of October.

We won't have the chance again. And, it could affect us for years to come. Please.