Proponents of the attempted recall of our mayor and three council members are eager to proclaim that the recall is an extension of the right of the people to exercise their sovereignty and use the political power that resides in the people. In that regard they are right, but what they fail to mention is that the opposite will happen. The great irony in their claim is that rather than upholding our power to chose our officials, we would lose it!

After searching through Idaho code and talking with the Secretary of State’s office, and reading an opinion from the attorney general’s office, I have satisfied my own curiosity as to what would happen if the recall succeeded. Rather than upholding our right to choose our elected officials, if the recall succeeded we would lose the right to elect our new mayor and council members. There is great irony here, and perhaps great hypocrisy as well.

The political organization of those calling for the recall includes some Reagan Republicans, the same group that politicized our previously non-partisan city election, and who supported our two new council members. Having gained some political power in the election it seems that they now want to take full control of the city. The real issue behind this recall is their desire to seize power.

Should the recall succeed, the replacement of three council members and the mayor would work like this: The governor would fill at least one of the vacant council seats by appointment (Title 59, Chapter 9). The Deputy Secretary of State said the governor would likely only appoint one council member so there would be a quorum. If this approach were followed the four council members would then select the mayor. It could be one of them or someone from the community. (Title 50, Chapter 6). The appointed mayor would then appoint the remaining council members subject to the approval of the sitting council. If they appointed one of their members as mayor prior to the other council members being appointed, there would no longer be a quorum and the governor would have to appoint another council member. However, the attorney general’s opinion states: “the Governor should fill the vacancies…” implying all the vacancies should be filled by him.

That’s it. No election by the people, just appointment by the governor or by the council, from a list of people who have applied or from names submitted by a group desiring to consolidate their political hold on the city (read Reagan Republicans). So much for the inherent right of the people to elect their officials.

We need to realize that this attempted recall is just a continuation of last fall’s city election in which those opposed to the re-design of McEuen succeeded in gaining some political power. Call it irony, call it hypocrisy, call it what you want. I call it an unjustified, undemocratic power grab.

If you have previously signed the petition and did not realize you would lose your right to select your officials, you may “unsign” by contacting the city clerk’s office (cityclerk@cda.ord or 769-2231) for instructions.

GEORGE SAYLER

Coeur d’Alene