Collecting Signatures Gets Underway in Mayor Recall Effort

By: Kim Eiten - Email

Updated: Tue 5:28 AM, Sep 18, 2012

Grand Island's Mayor recall effort is once again underway. Monday marked the first day for collecting voter signatures on the recall petition.

"Printed name, date of birth, street address, city and zip code for me please," Jeb Wosleben, the petitioner, instructed voters signing the petition.

It's a line he'll get very used to over the next twenty-seven days.

Monday is just day one for collecting voter signatures on the recall petition.

"It's humming right along," Wosleben said.

And, he's well on his way to the 3,286 signatures needed to force a recall election.

Wosleben said, at just a few hours into the day, dozens had already turned up to pen their name.

"Most people are giving me words of encouragement saying thank you for having the guts to do this and stepping forward, which is nice to hear," he said.

Many signing the petition didn't want to go on camera, some because they're connected to the city, but they said part of exercising their right as voters and expressing general discontent with the city.

One of those was former fireman and unhappy voter, Dale Grim.

"I served on the fire department from 1968 to 1976, and I just don't like the way that he treated the firemen," Grim said about Mayor Jay Vavricek.

He has high hopes for the recall effort.

"I hope that we can get 4,000 signatures and make sure that it's done," Grim said.

Wosleben said he thinks he can make that happen in just ten to fifteen days which is less than half of his alotted time.

"I want to make sure that I have more than enough just in case the Election Commissioner's office throws some out, to make sure that we get the job done," he said.

That something he said will be a change for the better.

"It's just enough," Wolsleben said. "It's time for somebody else."

Nebraska Central News attempted to contact Mayor Vavricek to discuss Monday's progress. He did not return phone calls.