Perkins recall petition filed as council hears Ennovation Center support appeal and historic site resolution

INDEPENDENCE, MO—Data center opponents submitted a second round of petitions today with 78 pages of signatures to city offices that are attempting to overthrow First Ward Councilman John Perkins' council seat.  

Perkins is facing an effort to recall his multi-year position as a city council person based on his vote supporting the construction of a data center on the city’s east side. 

 

The initial petition drive, a 30-day effort, fell short of the required number of signatures though the city charter grants petitioners an additional 10 days to gather additional names when the initial effort falls short.  Today was the deadline for the 10-day extension.

 

The petitions will be turned over to the Jackson Election Board for certification, a process that should take no longer than a day. 

 

If the petitioners have the necessary signatures from eight per cent of registered voters in the first district, a recall election will be held, likely in November, to determine if Perkins is allowed to remain in office.

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The council heard in its study session an update on the city-supported Ennovation Center and the introduction of a resolution by Perkins requesting that the city manager explore ways to fund and support city-owned historic sites.

 

In a recommendation by a St. Louis-based consultant earlier this year, one option that was available to the city was to sell the Vaile Mansion, among other historic sites.  There was strong opposition to the sale of historic sites.  Perkins made it clear that he was not interested in historic site sales.

 

“Nobody has an appetite to do that,” he said to a large contingent of historic site supporters attending the council session in support of Perkin’s resolution.

 

Ennovation Center chairman of the board Danny O’Neil and business manager Danielle DuPree, outlined the center’s history and primary current needs: additional space and funding for aging office equipment.