RECALL EFFORT - A KANGAROO COURT

Terry Schaefer asked that this be posted:

I am appalled by the gaul of the unidentified "Recall Committee" and their activity and arrogance in pursuit of the recall of a duly elected public official.
This action, which has never occurred in Manatee County, is an attempt to usurp the judicial process which protects our society from renegade, vigilante
justice, without due process and the protection of our inalienable right of being considered innocent until proven guilty. See Kangaroo Court definition.
I suggest Mr. Carter and his committee reveal themselves and explain to the community how they possess the ability to serve as accuser, judge and jury
without a shred of evidence other than their cursory review of carefully excerpted e-mails, interpreted, released and published by convicted felon, Michael
Barfield. I would doubt the judgement and reasoning of anyone who would come to such a quick conclusion, before weighing of evidence, in particular
data released by an individual whose character and reputation has been thoroughly defined by the FBI and Federal Court.
The result of the November 2009 election was a demonstration of democracy. Voters, not petitioners, sensing concern with City Hall, voted accordingly.
Commissioner Stoltzfus was honored with 472 approving votes by his fellow neighbors. Mr. Carter et. al., your effort to secure 136 signatures on this ill-conceived
recall petition is your right to pursue but, it will never negate the significance of Commissioner Stoltzfus' election. Perhaps you prefer an attempt at swift justice
without debate, for me, I prefer to review all of the facts before making a decision, much less making accusations. I hope our fellow neighbors feel the same
way and think for themselves. And by the way, I trust that you and your committee members have disclosed to anyone signing this petition, that they are
automatically on the committee and thus, subject to the same rules of conduct that elected and appointed officials must obey regarding the Sunshine Law and
public records scrutiny.
This effort is further dividing our City at a time when we should be taking a deep breath, sorting out all of the facts, enforcing our codes and moving forward.
This recall effort has set that process back and has further fanned the fire. There was a valid reason Commissioner Stoltzfus was elected, nothing the
"Committee" can imply or Michael Barfield can manipulate will change the facts. If you are interested in Michael Barfield's criminal record or his legal
consultant activity since being released following eight years in the Federal Prison, google him and then remember who retained and brought him to our City.
If you are interested in the complete definition of KANGAROO COURT, go to Wikipedia and then decide for yourself.

Terry W. Schaefer