On September 20, a local citizen bustled into a Glenwood City restaurant and announced, “We’re recalling 3 local officials.”
Mother Julie Augesen submitted recall paperwork which targets 3 local officials who “refuse to let us vote” on frac sand mining near her children’s school.
To the collective applause of the small group of diners at The Cafe, Julie Augesen, a mother of 7-year-old twins in Glenwood City school, explained what sparked the upcoming recall attempt.
“The council refuses to let us vote” about the potential frac sand mine proposed next to the school attended by both her daughter and son. “That’s why we are recalling,” said Augesen.
On September 9, the Glenwood City council tabled a motion to discuss a referendum petition that would have allowed citizens the right to vote prior to land annexation for the purposes of frac sand mining. Instead of discussing the referendum, the council chose to enter into a closed-session meeting with TX company Vista Sand the following week.
A group of citizens calling themselves “Glenwood City Citizens for Legal & Ethical Representation” responded by filing recall petitions with the Government Accountability Board 4 days later.
Parents are threatening to pull children if the 400 acre silica frac sand mine is approved on this forested hill 1/2 mile from their school.
Augesen said that she would remove her children if the “Vista” sand mine is approved. “My kids have to go to school there for many more years. Wisconsin has open-enrollment, and I’ll pull them if the mine goes in…and the tax dollars that go with them.”
Another citizen chimed in, “Reasonable people talk to each other. But the council is unreasonable.”
Recall petition paperwork filed on September 20, 2013. Mayor John Larson and Glenwood City council members Nancy Hover and Dave Graese are targeted for recalls.
The officials listed on 3 separate recall petitions are Mayor John Larson and Glenwood City council members Nancy Hover and Dave Graese. “Malfeasance” is listed on the petition as the justification for recall. Augesen chose not to elaborate further at this time.
The citizens have 60 days to collect recall signatures from 25% of the number of registered voters who took part in the last gubernatorial election in order to trigger a special recall election.
Augesen isn’t worried about collecting enough signatures. Recent canvassing seeking a referendum yielded over 50% of registered voters.
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WIvoices.org has been closely following this story:
The Huffington Post report on Glenwood City frac sand
Want More Information? See WIvoices.org’s Reference Document
"WI Teacher Resigns..."
September 26, 2013; New Richmond News is reporting about this topic here:
http://www.newrichmond-news.com/content/glenwood-city-mayor-council-members-face-recalls
“We come alive when we are most interrupted”. In order to achieve victory against the destructive machine of frac sand mining and fracking, ALL communities need to hold their elected officials accountable. Each battle won will eventually lead to winning the war. A recall election is a perfect example of using the system that has been set up within the regulatory box… Corrupt elected officials need to be removed! It is OUR right to remove persons that won’t represent the majority. Onward and Upward to Victory.
Thank you for bringing this info to light since none of the local media is reporting on this ….