By Paul Jacob
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, in order to force a recall election the law requires the signatures of 16,500 registered voters on petitions.
Recently, the Committee for Positive Community Change launched a recall campaign against Board of Education member David Allen. The Michigan Education Association has reportedly assisted the group's recall campaign.
And, then, there they were on the deadline day turning in their signatures. The group's leader Kenneth Muhammad, also a local Nation of Islam leader, told reporters, "As far as we are concerned, we met our objectives."
So, just how many signatures did they get? Well, I'll tell you in a minute.
First things first: Why did they want to recall Mr. Allen? None of the reasons given made sense to the Grand Rapids Press. In a recent editorial they called the recall effort "ridiculous," "misleading," and "absurd."
You see, Allen's crime was to save the school district a ton of tax money by privatizing some transportation services and the substitute teachers. In fact, that display of good sense caused Kyle Olson of the newly formed Education Action Group to pledge his group's support for Allen.
Okay. So, I know you're dying to hear the number — just how many signatures did they get? A whopping three signatures. Just three.
If you look on the bright side, though, the group was only 16,500 signatures short.
Paul Jacob's "Common Sense" is published by the Sam Adams Alliance. Their website can be visited at www.samadamsalliance.org.