Instead of a recall effort, try voting
In left-leaning Norman, a community I represented in the Legislature for 28 years, the natives and non-natives are more than restless. Controversy plays out every Tuesday night when the youngish, liberal and well-educated city council convenes. Hot and cold topics have included reducing the police budget a very modest amount, the approval of a boutique hotel near the OU campus, the alleged racism and prejudice to be found within the ranks of law enforcement personnel, various zoning changes, etc.
Mayor Breea Clark, the main target of a large and well-organized recall petition, is patient to a fault in listening to all complaints, including those that include threats, personal and negative criticisms and claims by many that the council ignores their constitutional and Godgiven rights and benefits. Most of what passes as exercises in democracy is really just Republican politics since their candidates, if they have any, can't win at the ballot box.
Recalls are high energy and high risk but there is an easier and more common way to directly impact decisions made on Norman's horseshoe, and that would be to take the time to vote, which only about 8% of eligible citizens did recently. Many of the recall supporters might want to spend a little more time in the ballot box, or even tune in to the live broadcasts of council meetings, before standing in the sun gathering signatures hoping to trigger the nuclear option of democracy — a recall.
Cal Hobson, Lexington