Recall effort targeting school board member gains momentum
by Laura Armstrong
MDJ Columnist
November 02, 2009 04:05 PM | 926 views | 10 10 comments | 16 16 recommendations | email to a friend | print
There’s clearly an awakening of late, that politicians must be held accountable for what they do. Hundreds of charter buses from states all over the country will head to Washington, D.C. for a Thursday gathering on the mall, with lovers of liberty protesting the imminent government takeover of the U.S. healthcare system.

And locally, there’s an equally intriguing situation right here in Cobb County, at the most local level, among regu-lar people who still believe their involvement can make a difference.

I’m talking about the recall campaign targeting Post 6 School Board Member, Dr. John Crooks.

That’s right. After almost three years, Cobb citizens are fed up and are taking action. Post 6 citizens are tired of the blatant arrogance displayed by Dr. Crooks, as well as his seeming dismissal of them as constituents, whether in the recent East Valley Elementary cell tower controversy or other, less publicized incidents.

“There are also official grounds for the recall of Dr. Crooks; an official recall statement will be shared with all of the sponsors (of the recall application) prior to the signing,” writes the chairperson for the “Recall Dr. John Crooks” campaign, east Cobb’s Carrie Nicholas-Welkis.

In a weekend e-mail that’s going viral in Cobb, she states, “As a community, we are deserving of accountability and engagement and unfortunately this appears to be the only way we will make our voices heard….”

She and her committee of Post 6 citizens will have at least 100 sponsors for their application to the Georgia Secretary of State, which will initiate the recall process.

Ms. Nicholas-Welkis told me by phone that Dr. Crooks was formally notified of his constituents’ application last Friday.

“It had become such a travesty,” she told me, describing the way East Valley Elementary neighbors and parents were treated by Dr. Crooks and the board. “At this point, it’s become a moral issue, and it’s not just about the cell tower. We can’t wait for the next election to do something.”

Meanwhile, other parent groups from around Post 6 have come forward to get involved, she added. And I’ve seen more than a few e-mails flying in the west and northeast areas of the county, where other, clearly dissatisfied voters are beginning to watch the activism in Post 6 closely.

Arrogance, incompetence and sheer audacity are fast going out of style when it comes to elected officials. Recalls are successful, especially with school board positions, in other areas of the country all the time.

So what do you think? Will Post 6 voters really be able to affect a change? And will it begin a domino effect among other posts?

similar stories

Effort to recall Dr. Crooks advances | 4 months ago

Superintendent unveils strategic plan for district | 5 months ago

Dr. Crooks recall to go forward | 7 days ago

Judge OKs advancing recall effort for Crooks | 6 days ago

Crooks to appeal judge's ruling on recall campaign | 3 days ago

comments (10)
« Carrie Welkis wrote on Wednesday, Nov 04 at 08:48 PM »
To anonymous: I am far from a ranting Mom with nothing to do. Get your facts straight before you start spewing nonsense. I am a healthcare executive, employed full-time and the mother of two beautiful boys. I can find 1000 things that I would rather do than spend time on John Crooks. However, this is about a moral responsbility that we ALL have. It's about all of us, wether you want to admit it our not. I also have no political agenda... never have and never will. I am just another citizen who is sick and tired of being treated like garbage from our elected officials. It's time for everyone to STEP UP!
« Paper Mill area wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 02:05 PM »
I didn't vote for the R either, but voted for an alternative to Kathy J. From the outset, however, it was apparent that Dr. Crooks took criticism personally and could not get past the public scrutiny politicians must endure. His personna now is one of vindictiveness and he seems unwilling to help anyone save those who can help fullfill whatever agenda he ascribes to. He deserves a recall hearing, but I fear the testimony or whatever form of evidence the governing body hears is not going to be pretty.
« rita Jones wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 10:15 AM »
I didn't just vote for an R - I met John Crooks I liked what he had to say. But then as soon as he was elected, I saw the real John Crooks. I never would have voted for him, if I had seen his true colors. I am not an East Valley parent/resident. My disappointment with John Crooks, started long ago.

« Samuel Adams wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 09:21 AM »
Teachretired, you don't have your facts straight. Crooks does not represent "all of us." He represents the constituents who elected him. The board members too often defer to each other when debating an issue, depending on the Post involved, and hide behind that a lot. But when they're in trouble with their people, they use the old "we serve all of Cobb." Crooks has brought this upon himself, with secretive maneuverings and arrogant personal comments about constituents (remember when he said that lady who objected to the tower would "be dead soon anyway"?) It's not just the East Valley people who are disatisfied and upset with Crooks. He took office with an arrogant attitude that caused many people who helped him initially to fall away, and he's been the antithesis of a "public servant" since Day 1. That is why his chosen profession as a clergyman is so surprising to so many people...how does one reconcile his performance in office with his supposed calling? I invite area psychologists to comment...
« anonymous wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 09:14 AM »
I wish there were a process open to the public to force the CCSB and other county entities to fire Brock, Clay and drum them right out of Georgia. However, getting to the topic on deck,it is a ridiculous waste of taxpayer money to hold a recall election. In the event that the election to recall successfully generates a special election, the official in question can run for their seat in that special election. As the mid-term election is literally one year away, this is a deterrent to the real issues, and will only waste taxpayer money. The citizens who are spearheading this effort are within their rights, as this is part of our guaranteed freedom to free elections, freedome of speech and due process, but it is highly wasteful, and is simply the rant of a mom with nothing else to do. I encourage Ms. Nicholas-Welkis to harness that passion, energy and drive into something more productive for the citizens of Cobb. Better yet, she should bide her time, do her homework and run against him next year.
« Samuel Adams wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 08:48 AM »
A recall is a big effort, but if any group can accomplish it, it's Post 6, where parents are engaged and motivated about their children's educations being above average. This arrogant board should be very nervous, because once voters see that it can be done, they'll follow suit. Lynda Crowder-Eagle, who never revealed her positions during her campaign, and David Banks, who's flip flopped at every opportunity, have very little credibility with their constituents. They should be watching Post 6 with humble hearts.
« Steve Rhinehart wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 07:35 AM »
There is no question but that this effort will have a lasting impact. Whether it is successful or not will depend upon our ability to get enough people actively working toward it. Such publicity ss that which appeaqred in the MDJ today will go a long way toward accomplishing that.
« Lucy W wrote on Tuesday, Nov 03 at 06:21 AM »
I applaud the activism!! Go Post 6. I think they will be successful.
« TEACHRETIRED wrote on Monday, Nov 02 at 08:07 PM »
What a travesty....for voters to try and recall a Board member who represents all of us. So there are a few home owners by East Valley who are unhappy with a cell tower (which will provide revenue for the school)...what about the rest of us who think he is doing a GREAT job. Dr. Crooks is one of the few Board members who is actually trying to improve the schools in his area. Don't be so myopic..look at the BIG picture. He is a man of his word and he has a vision. That's more than I can say for most of them. Back off..........let the man do his job.
« It is about time wrote on Monday, Nov 02 at 05:36 PM »
We have four members who should be recalled! Bartlett and Morgan are the only two who base their decisions on data and research. The rest do whatever the superintendent wants them to do. The board members forget that they work for the public, not the superintendent! I have never been so frustrated and disappointed in my life. Cash, Eagle, and Banks sound like idiots every time they open their mouth! Please do something!