Government Spotlight

New Gloucester residents submit petition to recall Selectman George W. Colby

|Lauren Jordan|

The recall petition for Selectman George Colby has received enough signatures to be certified by the Town and prompt a special election.

The petition sheets were turned in to the town clerk on Tuesday, January 19 for signature certification. Signatures must be from voters registered in New Gloucester, and the minimum number of signatures required is 10% of the voter turnout from the last gubernatorial election, which is currently 293 signatures. The petition has 335 signatures awaiting certification.

According to the Ordinance for the Recall of Elected Officials, the town clerk will have 10 days to certify the petition and send it to the Board of Selectmen, who will have 10 more days to set a date for the recall election. The election must be held between 45 and 60 days after the Board of Selectmen receives the petition. The recall would need 55% of votes in favor to remove Selectman Colby.

For past coverage, please see links below:

https://www.pressherald.com/2020/12/18/new-gloucester-selectmans-racist-comment-edited-out-of-meeting-video/?rel=related

https://ngxchange.org/white-grievance-is-racism-why-george-colby-needs-to-be-recalled/

https://ngxchange.org/what-are-we-missing-when-we-talk-about-george-colby-and-racism/