RECALL: Petition snapshot revealing

At the Coeur d’Alene City Council meeting Tuesday, June 5, Chris Copstead, former city councilman, spoke during the public comments regarding how he felt he had been “duped” into signing a recall petition and made very disparaging remarks. Mr. Copstead claimed he was approached by a woman with a petition and relayed that he specifically asked her if her petition was about Recall CdA and was informed it was not. It was a national petition (NOT local) concerning voting rights. He further stated that he read the petition and some of the accompanying documentation and it was accurate as presented. Two other incidents were brought up by him and it had been decided it was a “masked petition.” On the top of each and every page of the four petitions for Recall CdA it states very clearly who the petition is for and what it is about and to my knowledge no volunteer has ever had cause to cover up the information. What would be the purpose? They are interested in MORE transparency.

He contacted legal and the city clerk and was informed what to do to remove his name from the Recall CdA petition. He and his friend gave their names to the recall office and received letters indicating when they could appear there to accomplish the removal of their names. He went to the Recall office “not sure, and hoping my signature was not on it because that wasn’t what I signed” but potentially it could be and if it was he would pursue legal action.

In his public comments to the council, Mr. Copstead admitted he had not closely examined the petition he signed. Upon speaking with the Recall office, he was asked how many petitions there were on the clipboard. He answered ONE, so it could not have been a Recall CdA petition. It appears Mr. Copstead’s veracity is highly questionable.

Upon further examination Mr. Copstead’s name was NOT on the Recall CdA petitions and he has apparently apologized to Mr. Orzell. This is, of course, after his public display and rant trying to discredit Recall CdA. An opposing view is not unwelcome, but when actions indicate the intention, through a very public venue, is to inflame and defame, then it becomes quite another matter.

Who is trying to divide this city?

CHARLOTTE GHERKE

Coeur d’Alene