Save Jasper

10/24/11
by Steve W Stewart  KJAS.com
http://tinyurl.com/6yme7gd

With early voting underway in the Jasper City Council recall election, many are asking what will happen if one or more of the three city leaders are, indeed, voted out of office.

Councilmembers Tommy Adams, Willie Lee Land, and Terrya Norsworthy are the targets of the recall attempt, and the issue is now in the hands of the voters in Jasper.

In an early September City Council meeting, District 1 City Councilman Alton Scott claimed that the city government would not be able to conduct business if the council members are recalled, and he also called the League of Concerned Citizens the “League of Unconcerned Citizens”.

In the last council meeting, Scott also said that he consulted with the Texas Munucipal League, and he claimed that the organization agreed with him in his claim that the city government cannot function if the recall occurs.

However, KJAS News has checked the Jasper City Charter, and it clearly spells out what will happen if one, two, or even three of the council members are removed from office.

According to the charter, If one council member is recalled, the remaining council members will appoint a qualified person to that seat within 10 days.

There is a restriction in the charter which prohibits the council from appointing more than one person in a 12 month period.

If two, or all three council members are recalled, then the remaining council members (Alton Scott of District 1, and Randy Sayers of District 2) will be charged with setting a special election within 10 days after November 8th, in which candidates can seek a spot on council, and that special election would take place within 45 days.

If there is a tie between Scott and Sayers, Mayor Mike Lout would cast the tie breaking vote.

Want a sign to show your support for the Vote “Yes” initiative?  Click to download a PDF of each sign, print and display in the windows of your home.  Let people know where you stand.  Save Jasper!

*After you click the signs you want right click and save as to download

Is Rodney Pearson qualified to be Chief of Police in Jasper?  Take a look at the facts and you be the judge.  If your answer to the question is no, then Vote “Yes” Nov. 8th to recall the council members who brought scandal and lawsuits to our town.  You can view the infographic in full size here.  If you would like to download the PDF file to print, click here.

10/20/11
by Steve W Stewart 

http://tinyurl.com/3us6822

What is a recall election?

To “recall” an elected official is to remove them from office in the middle of their term. There has never been a recall election in the history of Jasper

Who is being recalled?

District 3 Councilman Tommy Adams, District 4 Councilman Willie Lee Land, and At-Large Councilwoman/Mayor Pro-Tem Terrya Norsworthy.

Why are they being recalled?

A group of concerned citizens known as The League of Concerned Citizens began a grassroots effort to recall the three council members following the February hiring of Rodney Pearson as police chief for Jasper.

They began collecting signatures on the recall petition in early July, and quickly gathered enough to have the issue placed on the November 8th ballot.

What does the “YES” and “NO” vote mean?

If you vote “YES” on the ballot, it means that you want to remove that person from the city council.

If you vote ”NO” on the ballot, it means that you want that person to stay on the city council.

Am I eligible to vote in the City Council recall election?

You must be a REGISTERED VOTER and you MUST LIVE INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF JASPER in order to vote in the recall election.

Who can I vote for/against in the recall election?

If you live in District 1 (represented by Alton Scott), you can only vote for/against Terrya Norsworthy.

If you live in District 2 (represented by Randy Sayers), you can only vote for/against Terrya Norsworthy.

If you live in District 3 (represented by Tommy Adams), you can vote for/against Tommy Adams and Terrya Norsworthy.

If you live in District 4 (represented by Willie Lee Land), you can vote for/against Willie Lee Land and Terrya Norsworthy.

When and where will early voting be?

ALL early voting will be in Jasper City Hall, located on South Main Street.

Here are the dates and times for early voting;

Monday, October 24th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 25th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 26th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 27th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, October 28th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 30th, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. (“Pew to the Poll”)

Monday, October 31st, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 1st, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 2nd, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 3rd, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, November 4th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

When is the Recall Election Day?

Tuesday, November 8th, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where do I vote on the Recall Election Day?

It is very simple. On Recall Election Day, you will vote where you normally go to vote when you are voting for a President.

If you are unsure, check your voter registration card and check your county precinct.

~ If you live in County Precinct 6, you will vote at;

Church of Christ on South Wheeler Street.

~ If you live in County Precinct 7, you will vote at;

First National Bank Community Room, located on East Houston Street.

~ If you live in County Precinct 8, you will vote at;

Jasper Bible Church, located on Highway 63 West.

~ If you live in County Precinct 20, you will vote at;

Tanglewood Baptist Church, located on Burch Street.

~ If you live in County Precinct 21, you will vote at;

Jasper Presbyterian Church, located on West Verna Street.

IF YOU ARE STILL NOT SURE WHERE TO VOTE ON RECALL ELECTION DAY, CALL CITY CO-SECRETARY ROBBIE PEEK AT 383-6108.

A federal judge has denied Jasper citizens and council members’ motion for a preliminary injunction against a November recall election. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn issued a decision Thursday. District 3 councilman Tommy Adams, District 4 councilman Willie Lee Land and Mayor Pro-tem Terrya Norsworthy, along with several Jasper residents filed suit against the city of Jasper, Mayor Mike Loutand city secretary Karen Pumphrey in federal court on Sept. 13. The plaintiffs were seeking a temporary injunction to stop the Nov. 8 election to recall Adams, Land and Norsworthy, an election city officials approved on Sept. 1 in the wake of a Ninth Court of Appeals order.

Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/jasper/news/article/Federal-judge-denies-motion-for-injunction-2228121.php#ixzz1bTS5CVaK