Joerger recall try now under way

September 1 , 2005

November Timeframe Recall Process

BEDMINSTER TWP. - A group of township residents are apparently following through on threats to recall Township Committeeman Kurt Joerger.

Gatehouse Road resident James Christie said Tuesday that he and about a dozen others were forming a committee to seek the recall of the controversial committeeman.

He said they expected to meet within a few weeks to discuss the next steps in the process, which may include the hiring of an attorney or consultant to shepherd the effort. Fund-raising has already started to raise money for that specialist, he said.

Christie, who said he was among the "motivators" for the recall, said various residents started to informally discuss the idea about two weeks ago. The idea was also mentioned at the Township Committee's public meeting on Aug. 22.

"We figured, if they could do this in California, we could do it here," he said, referring to the successful recall of then California Gov. Gray Davis in 2003.

He said some residents sought Joerger's ouster because he "clearly is nothing but a bully.

"He wants certain things and it's clear he could care less about the town," he said.

He said Joerger's alleged use of "scare tactics" in his opposition to the relocation of the state police NorthSTAR Medevac helicopter to Somerset Airport was "just uncalled for."

Joerger owns Lana Lobell Farm, a 175-acre property off Rattlesnake Bridge Road near the airport. He is planning to seek a subdivision of his farm but says he is not planning to sell or move out of town.

Because of alleged death threats made to Joerger at his home over the Medevac dispute, he said several weeks ago that he was considering stepping down from the committee. He later changed his mind.

A call placed to Joerger on Tuesday seeking comment on the recall effort was not returned by this newspaper's deadline.

Christie said the committee may also consider recalling Deputy Mayor Don Cross, a Joerger supporter. "But we do want to keep the focus on Joerger," he said.

Cross came under fire within recent weeks for allegedly complaining about a Burnt Mills Road farm stand owned by a supporter of Township Mayor Amey Mesko, with whom he had a parting of ways over the Medevac dispute.

Resident Mary Jane Fennell, a member of the township's Republican Municipal Committee, is planning to file an ethics charge against Cross for that action.

Christie is an investment and financial advisor and a registered Republican, but said he has never run for office himself or participated in any political campaigns.

He is also an amateur pilot who keeps a plane at Somerset Airport and supports having Medevac located there. "It's good for the township and the state of New Jersey," he said.

Christie said recall proceedings would start in mid-November. By law, the recall process cannot begin until 50 days before the anniversary of an official's first year in office.

Joerger was initially appointed by the Township Committee last year to replace Committeewoman Katherine Wagner, who resigned. He was then elected to a full term in November, defeating Democrat Allen Mass by a narrow margin following a recount, and was sworn in last January.

Christie said 25 percent of the township's registered voters would have to sign a recall petition. "We have about 5,100 registered voters, so I think we need about 1,250 or 1,300 voters," he said.

He said he was optimistic that amount could be achieved.

"We can do it like Schwarzenegger," he said, referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born actor who California voters elected to replace Davis.

During the Aug. 22 meeting, Christie was among several residents who asked Township Attorney Jeffrey Lehrer about the recall process.

The recall of an elected official in New Jersey is a specific process that is outlined in a 42-page packet available from the Office of the Attorney General.

The drive must be initiated by an election recall committee of at least three registered voters and cannot start before the 50th day preceding the completion of an elected official's first year in office during his or her current term.

The committee must then provide the names and addresses of at least three of its members to the municipal clerk. A statement outlining the reasons for the recall may be submitted but is not necessary. However, the committee must present a notice to the recall election official - usually the municipal clerk - either seeking a special election, or requesting that a recall question be placed on the ballot for the next regularly scheduled election.

Once this is done, the recall election official will then notify the recall committee as to whether the notice is rejected or accepted. The official will also notify the official targeted for the recall, who may file an answer. The recall election official then notifies the recall committee to prepare its petition, which the recall committee must then prepare and submit to the recall election official for review.

Should the petition be approved, the recall committee must then obtain the signatures of 25 percent of the registered voters as of the last general election. Once those are received, the petition is filed and the signatures are certified. The recall election is then scheduled if the petition is accepted.

By P.C.ROBINSON
Staff Writer

From the Courier News website: www.c-n.com