Liberty County neighbors say it’s time for a change in leadership after Tuesday’s County commissioner meeting. Now the group of advocates tell KPRC2 they are in the early stages of a Recall Petition.
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Several concerned neighbors showed up to the meeting about the ongoing stray dog problem, pushing for animal control and shelter. After the advocates left the room, several officials were captured on the recorded meeting appearing to mock or joke about the issue. People at the meeting said the two people exchanging the remarks were Judge Jay Knight and Liberty County Precinct 3 Commissioner David Whitmire.
“News people gone?” Whitmire asks.
“I hope so,” Knight responds. “They’re waiting for you out there.”
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Shortly afterward, Knight makes barking and woofing sounds like a dog, appearing to joke or mock the issue.
Dana Williamson lives in Dayton and owns Savage Cane Corso, LLC. She said she was angered by the meeting video.
“I was so upset because first of all, it’s mocking everyone out here that is doing their darndest to make sure that this doesn’t become a bigger issue than it already is. And to me, it was kind of disgusting,” said Williamson. She is among the group of neighbors who are working towards the Recall Petition.
“There’s been people that have come together and looking into a recall for the elected officials. Obviously, everybody has a boss and when you’re an elected official, your taxpayers basically are the ones who put you in that position. So, if you’re going to not take this seriously and you’re going to act that way, then obviously we need somebody in there that’s going to step up to the plate and be professional about this,” said Williamson. Williamson said the petition will require signatures.
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“It takes a percentage of the voters that are registered in this county. Each county varies by percentage. It has to do with the amount of people that are in the county. For instance, if it was 3% in this county, we would need at least 3% of the registered voters in this county to sign the petition for the recall,” said Williamson.
Over the past couple months, KPRC 2 has reported several neighbors being injured after stray dog attacks. Advocates and neighbors have also rescued hundreds of dumped dogs on their own time with no shelter or animal control in the county to take them to. Williamson said she hopes the push for a recall petition sends a message.
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“I’m hoping they will come together with us and go ahead and let’s get it on the agenda. Let’s start moving in the right direction to have animal control officers some type of shelter out here. And let’s get this problem solved instead of having to go this route and involve all of the legalities and everything else,” said Willaimson.
Neighbors said they have also reached out to Congresswoman Janis Holt for guidance about the recall petition. KPRC2 reached out to Liberty County Judge Jay Knight’s office and Commissioner David Whitmire for comment but has not heard back. During the commissioner’s meeting on Tuesday, the officials promised to put the stray dog issue on the agenda. It is unclear when that will be. The commission also plans to hold public workshops in the coming weeks.