Recall election hijacks democracy

[Fernley News]

FERNLEYNEWS.COM PERMALINK | RECALL ELECTION HIJACKS DEMOCRACY

November 3, 2009

An explosive editorial was released November 3rd by Lahontan Valley News.

This is a must read!

The editorial makes the statement

"Robert Chase was one of the spearheads behind the recall campaign. Coincidentally, Chase also faced Martin in the recall election in early October and won with only 8.7 percent of the registered voters in Ward 3 casting ballots."

"For a person to organize a recall campaign and then run against the incumbent is unethically questionable: Recall a candidate and then win his seat. This is hardly a mandate from the people."

The commentary also states

"Based on our research, the State Senate toyed with the Nevada constitution and overstepped the line."

"Voters must reject this recall effort, not only for city council but also for other offices and boards the group may want to challenge in northern Lyon County.

To read the full editorial click here.

[Lynn Del Lewis]

Dear C'mon Fernley,
My apologies....I thought you were agreeing with the recall. The waste will hopefull stop with this recall. Hopefully people will come together over this and let the rubbish slip away and elections will be taken seriously.

The council have had to make some hard decisions. One was to put a water treatment at the end of Mesa Drive. It's not great to look at, however after some time it will not be seen by some neighbours due to trees being planted. I did hear, from a good source, that there was another 4 acre plot for sale for $100,000 but the current 400 acre was practically given to the city at $400,000. A developer would have snatched that up in a minute even if they didn't build on it for some years. Having a water treatment plant (public service) at the end of the road or 100-400 houses would have brought it's own problems, especially the need for water.

One thing that might be good to look at is whether land values have decreased because a water treatment plant is there and see if the neighbours would like compensation. Since the land was obtained for a good price maybe compensation could be looked at if there is any concern for loss of land value. My husband says this doesn't happen in government. I have heard in the past that when they are building a road and need to take down a house, they buy it for it's actual value. It would be a nice gesture if it was possible.

Fernley is a nice city. It would be nice to hear about some more 'friendly' in it. Why not have your neighbors over for dinner some time...or go to a local restaurant....get to know them...everyone has good in them. Sometimes we just need to meet and talk. It's good to agree to disagree and talk about other things. Whatever happens in this election, I pray that good would prevail. If Curt wins, he has some more work to do for and with the people of Fernley and if he doesn't...well, he'll have more time to enjoy the nice city he has helped to shape. I pray that all members of the community will vote, be listened to, go to council meetings, get reasonable resolution on subjects close to their heart, so all parties concerned can get some peace in their lives and be thankful for Fernley and that it will continue to be a great place to live. Blessings, peace, and God's love to you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Thomas k. Watson]

A small activist group wants to remove popularly elected officials. Councilman Martin was recalled by only 5% of his ward’s voters. Opponents of our council members claim to be the voice of the people, but don’t understand their larger community’s needs. In another recall group, some have been willing to spread lies and bully neighbors.
Fernley will eventually be constrained by our ability to use water resources and our attractiveness to newcomers. Our city council understands the need to provide sanitation and clean water that meets state and federal requirements. Our council members have always been professional. They are working right now to find better funding options than those presented by a few city managers. They still hope to offset some of the cost of our new water facility. Those city officials were replaced by your elected council of 2008 due to the expanding needs of our city.
One of the early concerns for nearby neighbors was the planned open drying ponds. The city closed the system and eliminated drying ponds and unnecessary exposure to the dust. However, the council couldn’t and wouldn’t toss out a needed community facility as a few strident opponents wanted. Thanks to our council for their integrity.
Councilman Chaffin is now in a recall. Petition circulators gathered their needed signatures. The decreased number of signatures now required by the legislature seems ludicrously small. Many of the petitioners attacked his decisions. This is not my main complaint with the group, though I believe their arguments on issues are weak.
Some petitioners attacked us personally with a claim that Curt took in-laws on a city business trip at city expense. As the in-laws in question, we know a vicious lie when we hear it. This character assassin stuck from the shadows. The damage they inflicted wasn’t felt until after the poison was injected. Curt can provide records on the trip in question showing he claimed only his necessary and allowable expenses. In another case, a petitioner tried to intimidate a skeptical homeowner, was verbally abusive on her porch, and had to be asked forcefully to leave by the woman’s husband.
Please make your own judgment about Curt’s positions. The recall process is meant to allow recourse to the disenfranchised, not free license for illegal and abusive behavior to support weak positions.
Tom and Barbara Watson

[Go Wolf Pack]

Hey 2 Cents... You are the Radical Fanatic ranting and raving about everything and anything! Hmmm I smell something fishy here... I'm almost sure that it is you running around with your clipboard, lies and twisted truths. Sue Siedel is one of those too! If she was sooo interested in the council position, why didn't she run last November... in a FAIR election! No, that would have been too hard because she would have actually had to STAND FOR SOMETHING, rather than just making up lies about Curt Chaffin to TRY and steal his seat. These RADICALs seek out things in the community to be upset about! They aren't happy with anything and if WARD 4 doesn't get out and vote for CURT CHAFFIN Fernley Government is going to be overtaken by these uneducated and dishonest few. They (2cents included) are making a mockery of this city by petitioning for these recall elections! You should be ashamed of yourself! Curt Chaffin is an HONEST, INTELLIGENT MAN who truly loves and cares about the community of Fernley. He is exactly what Fernley needs... he represents all that is GOOD and ETHICAL and ALL the FACTS prove this to be true!

[CmonFernley]

Hey 2 cents! Who should we expect to see on the news?

[CmonFernley]

To Lynn Del Lewis: Gosh did I say that? Perhaps I should have been more clear. The waste I am referring to is the waste of time, money, and energy that is being caused by the overall recall effort. I am merely encouraging folks to get the facts and then get out and vote. The recall process is not intended to remove someone because you don't care for their opinions. That's for the regular election!

[Lynn Del Lewis]

To C'mon Fernley: If ever there was a man who did not waste, it is Curt Chaffin. He has done a good job of getting rid of Waste in Fernley. It is a very smart and tidy community. Well Done Curt Chaffin and other the councilmen.

It would be nice to hear that there is less garbage being thrown at those council meetings. C'mon Friendly Fernley!!! I refute what Fernley negatives are saying about the waste and trash collection. Perhaps those who want to opt out could if they responsibly disposed of their trash without infringing on others hygiene, being fined if they don't.

[my 2 cents]

It's really something that the only one you see on the news is Curt Chaffin. ( I want to keep my job with the city) I would like to see Curt recalled. It will make a statement to the others on the council, (you need to hear from all the people here in Fernley.) NOt just the good old boys. Curt get you act together, you need to go.

[CmonFernley]

That's the way I see it! Those of you in Ward 4, get out and vote on Friday! Stop this waste!