By: Vince Lennon
Trenton, GA – A local businessman who identifies himself as a gay redneck and stand up comedian has initiated a recall petition effort for the ouster of Dade County Executive Don Townsend.
Coy Williams, who goes by his stage persona Bubba Que, says he’s confident he’ll secure the required number of signatures to formally begin the recall process for Townsend, who is only 8 months into his first term as Commission Board Chairman.
Williams says the Townsend recall effort is prompted by overwhelming public opposition to a proposed new elections building envisioned for Trenton’s Georgia Avenue.
“If you look at all the comments that have been online since the election building was announced; everyone is against it,” said Williams. “The only people for it are apparently Don and this Melissa girl, another city commissioner,” speculated Williams as he worked the cash register at McBride’s Bookstore Monday afternoon.
Williams says shortly after beginning the petition application process last Thursday, he received a threatening phone call, which inferred his foray into local politics would be bad business for his bookstore.
The Highway 136 storefront is the focal point for Williams’ recall petition effort. Williams says he has 15 days to get 100 signatures of registered Dade County voters to satisfy initial petition application requirements, which does not in itself guarantee a recall election.
Georgia law requires a petitioner to present to a judge sufficient evidence of official misconduct, malfeasance in office, misuse of public funds or the office holder’s failure to perform, in order for the recall application to become a circulated petition.
From that stage, recall organizers have a 90 day window to garner the signatures of at least 30% of registered county voters.
If the signature threshold is achieved within the required time frame, a recall election can be set for 30 to 45 days afterward, on a simple yes, no ballot to keep or recall the office holder in question.
In response to Bubba Que’s petition for his recall, Dade County Chairman Don Townsend says he respects Mr Williams’ right to his own opinion, but says the accusations leveled in the recall application do not align with his record, actions or responsibilities as County Executive.
“My focus remains where it belongs; on serving the people of Dade County with integrity, ensuring compliance with election law and providing secure, efficient, and cost responsible facilities for the future,” said Townsend via e-mail.
According to Williams, he has until the close of business day September 5th, to fulfill the necessary 100 validated signatures for his recall application.
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