Group seeks to remove councilman who was most vocal against topless rallies

Leaders of the local Free the Nipple group have started a new campaign — to recall Springfield City Councilman Justin Burnett.

They are trying to get about 2,000 signatures to start the process of a recall election.

“Research has been done, canvassing is being arranged, marketing strategies are being discussed and funds are on the way,” said Katie Webb. “We will remove Justin Burnett. He’s in over his head and the people really need someone that will stop bogging down the system.”

Part of the dissatisfaction stems from last week’s passage of a stricter indecent exposure ordinance by council. Burnett pushed for that law, which was borrowed from language in Cape Girardeau, in response to the first Springfield Free the Nipple rally downtown.

The rally included men and women protesting, in some cases with only tape covering their nipples.

Protesters said the rally was designed to oppose unequal laws. Burnett and supporters said it was indecent.

Webb, who is helping lead the recall petition, said she’s been frustrated with Burnett for awhile, but the recent indecent exposure argument pushed her to seek his removal.

“The way he went after those kids at the (Free the Nipple) rally was horrendous,” she said. “Here we have the next generation and they are eager to demonstrate in a big way to make a difference for equality and he — with the help of four other council members — tried to squash that.”

Burnett said he ran for City Council to make Springfield a “safer, better place.”

He said during the recent indecent exposure issue, he listened to hundreds of residents and the “vast majority” wanted the law changed.

“I am admittedly a conservative and ran on (principles) of fiscal conservatism, public safety and family values,” he said in a statement to the News-Leader. “That message resonated with residents of Zone 2 and I intend to fulfill my commitments to them.”

Webb’s group needs 1,912 signatures. That represents 30 percent of the number of people who voted in the election for the Zone 2 council seat in the April election. Those signatures have to be from residents who are “entitled to participate in such election” of that council seat.

A council member cannot be recalled until he or she has been in office six months, so petition organizers cannot submit signatures until October.

Webb said the group for recall includes people who have worked on several recent local campaigns, including No Repeal, which sought to keep an expanded nondiscrimination ordinance in Springfield. Burnett campaigned for repeal of that law and has also pushed for the city to add “In God We Trust” in council chambers.

During a City Council meeting in August, Webb criticized Burnett for drawing attention away from other issues in the community, like child hunger.

If a sufficient petition is submitted, council must set a date to hold a recall election no sooner than 30 days after that petition is accepted. Based on the state schedule, such an election could not be held until March, according to the Greene County Clerk’s office.

According to city code, the ballot would be simple: It would ask if Burnett should be “removed from office,” with a space to check “Yes” or “No.”

It would take a simple majority to recall Burnett. He would be ineligible to serve in the city in any capacity until his term is scheduled to expire, which is 2019.

A special election to fill the seat would have to be held at the next possible date, which would be August, according to the County Clerk.

Webb said members of her group have spoken to the city clerk and will have the petition cleared by the city attorney to make sure it is done correctly.

Springfield City Clerk Anita Cotter said the last successful recall petition was of John Wilson in 1996.

Webb said she was surprised how quickly the group against Burnett has grown. A Facebook group was set up this weekend and had about 270 members as of Monday afternoon.

“It seems Justin has poked the hornet’s nest one too many times,” she said.

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