Since initiating an effort to recall Metro Councilwoman Alison Cascio a month ago, Hunter Bridges says about 75 to 100 people have been going door to door to collect signatures and place signs. At least one-third of all voters in the district—7,875 of the 23,626 registered, according to the Registrar of Voters Office—must sign the petition if the recall is to make it to the ballot. Bridges says he hasn’t tallied up how many signatures have been collected and does not have an estimate. “We’re just beating the streets and collecting signatures. We feel like it’s going well so far,” says Bridges, who with Charles Bowden submitted a recall petition to the secretary of state on March 22. They have 180 days from the submission date to collect the required signatures.
Cascio, meanwhile, says she’s received mostly positive feedback since the recall effort was launched. “I’ve gotten literally one or maybe two negative e-mails, but most of the calls and e-mails have been very supportive,” Cascio says. “It really hasn’t taken up much of my time because there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Bridges says he started the recall effort because Cascio has not adequately represented her constituents since taking office in 2009, and has instead voted as if she represented the entire city and parish. Cascio’s vote in December to support allowing the parish library system to use $19 million to build a new downtown branch is at the center of the recall effort; however, a full list of grievances is outlined at recallcascio.com. “If it happens, it happens,” Bridges says. “But if it doesn’t happen, at least we’ve brought some awareness as the next election comes around.”—Steve Sanoski
