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Shady Cove petitioners force recall vote By MEG LANDERS SHADY COVE - Citizens for Affordable Government has turned in petitions attempting to recall the entire City Council. Council members Lois Holland and Jack Henson already face a recall election Dec. 18. This week, signatures were verified by the Jackson County Elections Office for a second recall election against Fred Wendt and Allison Curtis, according to City Recorder Arlene Cooper. That election has been set for Jan. 8. And Friday, the city received the recall petition for Tom Anderson, who's in his sixth year as the city's mayor. Signatures for that petition have not yet been verified, and an election has not been set. City officials facing a recall election have the option of resigning instead, but all have said they will fight the recall. Each election costs the city between $1,800 and $2,000, said Cooper. Bob Hawkins, chief petitioner, said he is concerned that the residents of Shady Cove have no voice with the current council, especially regarding city water issues and the spending of public funds. "Well, we've got to get them out," said Hawkins. "The city is in jeopardy." Wendt said the petitioners must have forgotten the financial trouble the city was in six years ago, when the city was in the red by more than $100,000. By 1997, it was $7,000 in the black. "I put in five years with the city," said Wendt. "I am proud of every action I took, both with the planning commission and the City Council." "The whole recall effort's absurd," said Anderson, adding that he will not resign. "A lot of good has happened in the last five years." While he believes that most residents do not support a recall, he said he's concerned that people won't bother to vote. "If there's a good turnout, I firmly believe a recall won't happen," he said. "I want our supporters to spend the 34 cents to vote and retain us." For the Dec. 18 election, 1,670 ballots were mailed out Nov. 30. Voters have until 8 p.m. election day to turn them in. A drop site will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day only at the Shady Cove Branch Library, 22477 Highway 62. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.