Elected officials can be recalled for (among other things), "failure to perform the duties of the elected office; or other willful acts of omission or commission which betray the public trust." While recalling an elected official is a necessary ability --- it is never one that should be taken lightly.
The Town Charter (sec 8.1), lists some of the requirements, but to get the full picture, you also need to review Mass Law at Chapter 408 of the Acts of 1987".
Per the Charter, (section 8.2), "A recall petition shall be initiated by request of ten (10) qualified voters. The recall petition shall be signed by twenty-five percent (25%) of the qualified voters and returned within twenty (20) days in accordance with Chapter 408 of the Acts of 1987".
Chapter 408b then adds the requirement that 40% of those registered to vote must cast a ballot. This means approximately 6,000 voters (out of 15,000) must show up. Unfortunately, a 40% turn-out is a rarity on a local election. For example, the annual Town Election in May of 2009 only produced a 19% turn-out and the 2009 Special Senatorial election in 2009 only produced a 21.5% turn-out.
Bottom line: It's like the gift shop -- once you break it, you own it! (at least until the next election!).
I'm sure there's also an analogy to be made about the fact that if more people paid attention and voted, unqualified candidates wouldn't be elected and recalls wouldn't be needed. But that's way too utopian!
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As a point of fact, First Student (FirstGroup) acquired Laidlaw on 28 September 2007, and DID NOT, at that point in time, assume Laidlaws contract with the Sandwich Public Schools . First Student had their own contract with the Sandwich Public School District after having successful produced the lowest bid.
In the years prior to First Student successfully winning the lowest bid with Sandwich, First Student did come to the aid of a floundering bus company who's equipment and lack of qualified employees made it impossible for that firm to fufill the terms of the contract they had with the town.
So..... who knows what the future holds.... who knows if First Student has any interest in bidding for a new contract....... and lately, it seems that the Cooperative is trying to underbid all other company's on the Cape.
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