And Its One, Two, Three Strikes Your Out at the Old Court House: Smack Down Fool!

Judge won't block Overland recall election
By Norm Parish
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Feb. 07 2007

A St. Louis County judge today rejected Overland Mayor Ann Purzner's request to stop an effort to recall her from office. Purzner had wanted an order to keep the recall question off the April 3 ballot because she didn't believe that there was a legal basis for the recall and that proper procedures were used to place the issue before voters. For example, Purzner contended that she vetoed a city council resolution on the issue last month.

But Circuit Judge Steven H. Goldman disagreed in his order, adding that a council action in December allowed the recall question to be brought before voters. Doug Rudman, Purzner's lawyer, said the mayor has yet to decide whether she will appeal the case. In Purzner's suit, she named as defendants, the St. Louis County Election Board and election directors Joseph A. Goeke III and Judy Taylor.

At the same time, Rudman said Purzner is not a afraid of a recall question. “She anticipates that the people of Overland will retain her,” Rudman said. Steve Garrett, a lawyer for the St. Louis County Election Board, said he expects ballots for the recall question to be printed by early next week. The group Citizens of Overland for Good Government collected 3,843 signatures
for the recall vote. In December, the Election Board certified 3,650 signatures as being from registered voters; 2,500 were needed.

The group wants Purzner removed because of her failed attempt to replace Police Chief Jim Herron and for holding meetings in a room too small to accommodate crowds seeking to attend. In the past, other judges have agreed with residents, saying Purzner improperly attempted to remove Herron without council approval and citing the mayor for violating the state's open meetings law.