The White Pine Reform movement may have reached a bridge too far in its attempt to recall two White Pine County Commissioners Mike Lemich and John Lampros.
Last week three White Pine County residents James Adams, Timothy McGowan and Cheryl Ann Noriega filed notice of recall against Lemich and Lampros.
But filing for a recall is one thing, getting enough valid signatures to force a recall election is quite another.
According to County Clerk Lin Burleigh recall supporters must garner at 821 signatures of White Pine County voters who actually vote in the 2010 election.
“That’s 25 percent of the total number of voters who voted in the 2010 election.” Burleigh said. “The have 90 days, until October 8th.”
While not impossible the task is far from easy and perhaps made even more difficult because unlike the privacy of the voting booth the names on a recall petition are public record.
Ely and White Pine County are undergoing a kind of “Spring” of political change that has so far seen a massive change on the Ely City Council that factored heavily in the termination of long time City Clerk/Manager Jim Alworth.
And like the “Spring” political reform movement internationally White Pine’s reform/revolution social media plays a major if not central role in organizing the movement.
But while the recall effort has received support from some members of the facebook page, none of the three White Pine residents behind the recall are in fact members of the page.
Perhaps the biggest winner in last month’s Ely City Election was not even on the ballot, in fact it was not even a person but rather a facebook page that may have forever reshaped local politics.
Begun in march by Ely resident Audrey Clark the little that could soon became a lively forum for citizens to express their opinions on just about anything political in Ely. Boasting then a little over 250 members White Pine & Ely Politics is credited by many with tipping the scales in a close election by many locals.
“I started the group back in March 2013 as a way for me to learn about politics. I really knew nothing and thought it would be a great (fun) way for me to learn, Little did I know the ruckus it would cause! I am truly amazed how the group grew and transformed. A lot of people joined and seemed to enjoy having a place to discuss issues and try to find answers to things.” said page founder Audrey Clark.
“I have been told by many who live here in Ely that this group helped them become more informed on the issues then they have ever been in the past! This I find to be a great thing!!” Clark wrote in an e-mail.
“The election turned out to be quite a nail biter. When the early votes came in I was a bit disappointed. But when the next results came in I was Jumping out of my seat! Things had taken a turn for the better!!”
Now approaching the 350 member mark the facebook page is still the lively forum Clark hoped it would become.
Still it is one thing to win an election and quite another to force a recall.
“They will have to get the signatures and after they submit them we have to verify them,” Burleigh added. “ My staff is ready but if the do not get the amount during the time allowed there will not be a recall election.”
While the process is intended to be difficult, should the recall drive be successful simple math suggests it would be very hard for either commissioner to win a recall election. If the two commissioners were force into a recall election both men would have to carry more than two thirds of the electorate that did not sign the petition to win, an obstacle perhaps even larger than the one now facing their opponents.
The notice against Lampros states: “Under John Lampros’ leadership, spending within White Pine County has exploded. With the recent commitment to a swimming pool that is far beyond our needs and completely over the top with costs of construction and known operating expenses, plus the reckless and completely unplanned attempt at replacing the County annex building, resulting in money being paid out for nothing. Purchasing the Ely Times building, with known problems, possibly with as much age and probably with as many problems as the current structure, and again unknown cost to make this building usable, coupled with other unbudgeted, unplanned expenditures, has seriously reduced fund balances leaving the County saddled with future debt loads beyond our means.
“Under John Lampros’ leadership, spending within White Pine County has exploded. With the recent commitment to a swimming pool that is far beyond our needs and completely over the top with costs of construction and known operating expenses, plus the reckless and completely unplanned attempt at replacing the County annex building, resulting in money being paid out for nothing. Purchasing the Ely Times building, with known problems, possibly with as much age and probably with as many problems as the current structure, and again unknown cost to make this building usable, coupled with other unbudgeted, unplanned expenditures, has seriously reduced fund balances leaving the County saddled with future debt loads beyond our means.
The current budget has a $1.4+ million shortfall not including these building commitments.
On numerous occasions, Lampros has exhibited very unprofessional behavior, use of vulgar language, berating individuals (including fellow commissioners), who dare to take issue with his pet projects, leadership style, or vote against his desires. Intimidation and physical pressure has even resulted in Sheriff investigations for assault.
We are asking the people to take this necessary action by removing John Lampros before this County is forced back into insolvency through continued mismanagement.”
The petition against Lemich read:
“Mike Lemich, along with the Chairman has spearheaded the economic disaster that this county now finds itself in. In addition to poor fiscal management, Lemich has taken very combative and pushed personal vendettas against the private operator at the Airport and members of the Airport Board. Accusations, intimidations, lies and outright threats against both the operator and their customers have far crossed the line of ethics. He has continued to press these issues, even though both county and private attorneys have stated that no legalities are at issue.
He has taken upon himself to dismantle the County Fire and EMS services, violating and/or subjecting the County to NRS violations and placing outlying communities in grave risks due to lack of timely services, while simultaneously negotiating land exchanges for the county.
He’s been the subject of several state and local investigations, including pending assault of a local citizen. White Pine deserves better.”
For recall supporters of two White Pine County Commissioners the magic number is 821
