SAND SPRINGS — The recall efforts in Sand Springs failed, according to City Manager Mike Carter.
A group of Sand Springs residents is opposed to the proposed data center, known as “Project Spring,” and wants half the city council out of office. An organization called Stop the Sand Springs Data Center spearheaded the recall effort, but they did not turn in enough verified signatures.
Carter tells KRMG that each ward needed the signatures of 20 percent of the total qualified voters, but failed in every ward. According to the city, the group conceded to the failure.
Sand Springs Mayor Jim Spoon said, “I am very appreciative of the many calls and signs of support from our community. I am equally thankful that the vast majority of our community politely declined to sign the petition as a show of support to the city council, who faithfully serves this community.”
The city found signatures of people who weren’t registered to vote, were registered in other wards or other cities, or had the same name signed several times. The city also gave the group time to challenge certain invalid signatures, but the effort still failed.
“Even with the failed attempt to recall the city council, I think it is important for those that are concerned about data centers to know that the City of Sand Springs will continue to look at ways to address their concerns with the data center developers and Google,” Carter said.
