SAND SPRINGS — A group of Sand Springs residents are unhappy with the city regarding a proposed data center, and they want certain city councilors out of office.
City manager Mike Carter and councilors Matt Barnett, Cody Worrell, and Mike Burdge, are in the crosshairs. The Facebook group “Stop the Sand Springs Data Center” spearheaded the recall of the three councilors and turned in over 1,600 signatures on March 31. After that, the city had 30 days for the verification process.
Carter told KRMG the signatures should be verified by next Tuesday, but unofficially, it doesn’t appear they have enough signatures. At least 20 percent of the total qualified voters in the three specific wards must sign the petition to start the recall process for that ward. Residents in other wards cannot sign the petition to recall a councilor in a different ward. Carter was not a part of the recall because he is a hired employee, but he is the focus of most of the vitriol on social media.
Kyle Schmidt, the spokesman for the opposition, said they are checking the disqualified signatures and have contacted a law firm for help. He also mentioned other potential violations he feels the city has made in the process.
It looks like an official announcement will be made next Tuesday, April 28.
