Some Harrisonburg city residents are exercising their rights by signing a petition that could potentially suspend City Treasurer Rebecca Neal from running her office while her case is pending.

Several people stopped by the courthouse Friday to sign the petition, which requires 553 signatures. If the signatures are obtained, it will then be turned over to a circuit court judge to determine if Neal should be suspended.

"It's our civic duty to not only elect officials, but to also take action when something like this happens," says Lisa Gallagher, who signed the petition.

"She shouldn't be in office and still getting a salary until she's either proven innocent or guilty, but I think she needs not to be there right now," says Bonnie Hinkle, who also signed the petition.

"The fact that I just paid my city sticker taxes, and I just made the check out to here, and I'd just rather her not be in there with all the charges," says Jeanine Wilson, another signer of the petition.

They didn't get all the signatures they needed Friday, but the people were at it again Saturday to collect signatures at Harrisonburg Crossing.