Grasty Recall is Validated
Harney County, Oregon petitioners have validated their recall petition against Judge Steve Grasty.
Grasty has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to resign or submit a “statement of justification” that would be printed on the recall election ballot, according to a letter notifying him of the petition’s result. But Grasty said Thursday he is not resigning.
A recall election would be held no later than June 28, according to the letter. The effort to oust Grasty comes in the aftermath of the 41-day takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by armed militants earlier this year.
The recall petition, filed on Feb. 11, charges, “Judge Grasty and other county officials have prevented and/or hindered US Citizens the same privileges and rights that he and other officials use and exercise themselves. These privileges and rights include: The privilege of citizens use of public buildings for peaceful assembly, the right of the people peaceably to assemble, & the unabridged right of freedom of speech.
“The exercising of ones right of freedom of speech or for people to exercise their right to peaceably assemble is not in violation of the law. Those rights are protected under the US Constitution Amendment I which reads — ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.’ ”
It is clear that the justification for the recall was not directly about the Malheur Protest, but rather, the incidents in which Grasty refused citizens the right to discuss these, and other, issues.
The citizens were told they were not to be allowed access to public buildings if Grasty didn’t approve of the topic of their meeting. Many citizens were disgusted when public meetings were held and controlled by Judge Grasty, in which citizens were removed if they said the wrong thing, such as a citizen being manhandled out of the building when he used the word ‘Constitution.’
“I will not be resigning. That is not an option. I look forward to continuing to work as the Harney County judge as we address the many challenges and opportunities facing our community,” Grasty said.
The recall election would be held no later than June 28th.
Sources and related articles:
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/05/recall_petition_against_harney.html
http://btimesherald.com/2016/05/18/signatures-supporting-grastys-recall-submitted/
http://www.myeasternoregon.com/2016/05/13/burns-recall-petition-filed-against-judge-steve-grasty/
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/20/recall-petition-against-harney-county-official-val/
I’m not a resident of Harney County but my understanding is that all 3 of them, Sheriff Dave, the Judge and the Govenor were appointed to office, not elected. They should be easier to get rid of rather than real elected officials. Does anyone have any info on recalling, firing, whatever it takes to get rid of them and hold an election to fill those positions.
I think it is a bit funny that these liberal progressive “CORRUPT” democrats keep thinking they are God’s and above the law .
Some how these people came up with the idea that the co
Constitution is just a play book and is subject to change at any time
Maybe a long jail sentance for violating the citizens right’s is needed not only for this arrogant SOB corrupt judge, but for the politicians as well. .
Build a special federal prison for those who believe they are a tyrant !!!!!
Whenever I hear someone in power say that resigning is not an option, I’m inclined to think that they havnt explored all their options… Grassy is going to look silly sitting on the bench while the citizens are unbolting his chair from the floor.
Surely to goodness the people of Harney County support this recall. Then they can move forward in an effort to change things in Harney County. All of the corruption that has taken place there is appalling. Steve Grassy and his cronies at the BLM need to be run out of town on a rail.
I was there when a courageous man – Chris Briels – came out to the Res and publicly accused Grasty. I was sitting next to Chris when Krisanne praised him for his principled actions. As one of the accused in thus case, I am severely restricted in what I can say, but I’d like to thank Redoubt News for their continuing coverage.