Frank Comments on Delayed Petition

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Updated: 3:58 PM Apr 11, 2008 Frank Comments on Delayed Petition Harrisonburg, Va. Harrisonburg City Council member Carolyn Frank has been working on the petition to oust City Treasurer Rebecca Neal. Posted: 2:21 PM Apr 10, 2008

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Harrisonburg City Council member Carolyn Frank has been working on the petition originally started by David Briggman to oust City Treasurer Rebecca Neal.

On Thursday, she released the following statement regarding the petition that has been not yet been turned into the court system due to multiple delays:

"The power to remove a constitutional officer rests solely on the voters. The petition process finds out if the public wants to exercise that power. As an elected official, I needed to explore the sentiment of the voters. I have in my possession the signatures of 250 voters who want to exercise the power of removal. We need 553.

"I am willing to assume the responsibility to finish the petition drive. Marsha Garst as out elected Commonwealth's Attorney has the responsibility of defending the petition in court. I have a meeting scheduled with her on Friday morning.

"The setbacks and obstacles we have encountered should not stop us from finishing the job. It should not have been up to a county resident to lead the way. We need to stand up for what we believe. City Treasurer Rebecca Neal has been charged with 20 counts of misuse of public funds. Do we leave her in office? I believe she has lost the trust of the public.

"If voters will not hold our elected official accountable to uphold the duties of their office, then we should not be surprised when elected officials misuse their office."

The petition was to have been submitted last Friday, but was postponed to Monday and then Tuesday. No word yet on when it may be officially submitted.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Dave Briggman Location: Keezletown on Apr 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM

I should point out that no where in the petition are her pending criminal charges mentioned...and the charges have absolutely nothing to do with the basis of the petition. Simply put, the petition alleges Ms. Neal exceeded her authority under Virginia law. Should the Court find that she has done so, the Court may suspend or remove her. If she is removed, even a not guilty finding in the criminal charges will cause her to be restored to her position.

Posted by: Dave Briggman Location: Keezletown on Apr 11, 2008 at 10:09 AM

The petition was part of the "system" well-founded in §24.2-233 of the Code of Virginia. The petition filing itself doesn't remove Neal, rather it allows the matter to be brought before the Circuit Court where a judge will hear the matter. Neal is not required to prove her innocence, and I believe that, based on what I'm aware of, she may likely be found guilty. I believe in the purpose and goal of the petition...just not my role in it.

Posted by: Lao Tzu on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:12 PM

It is clear that there is no great outcry from the citizens of Harrisonburg to oust Neal. Listen to the enormous silent majority. The wheels of justice are in gear and all is well. The petition was ill-conceived. Frank's Carolyn-come-lately involvement only added one more ring to this circus. I applaud and support those who now see more clearly that this petition effort should be halted. Perhaps we can even enjoin the local media to tone-down the pro-petition coverage and examine the core issues anew?

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