By: Sharon Aron Baron
The kickoff begins in Tamarac’s District Two on Saturday, January 19, where registered voters can sign the petition to recall newly reinstated Commissioner Patricia “Patte” Atkins-Grad from office.
Atkins-Grad was acquitted on public corruption charges and returned to her commission seat last week after a two-year absence. After being reinstated by the governor, she received a cold reception from the commission and was even asked to step down by Vice Mayor Harry Dressler and several residents at last week’s city commission meeting, where Atkins-Grad steadfastly refused.
Heading up the petition drive is Tamarac resident and attorney Alvin Entin who said, “Patte Atkins Grad was not vindicated. She never denied taking money and a car in return for her vote. Instead, her defense was she was too stupid to understand she was being bribed. In any event, she did it, and she does not belong on a commission making decisions for us on matters like taxation, land use, or the future of the city.”
Entin adds, “Even if you believe her defense, she admits a lack of capacity to make intelligent decisions which is also a basis to seek her removal.”
A copy of the recall petition appears below:
Entin says that the recall drive will start in these locations in the eastern part of Tamarac, where residents can either come in and sign their names or volunteers can pick up their petitions and take them into their neighborhoods inside District Two. There are only 30 days to get 1,000 signatures, and he is hoping residents who have had enough corruption will come forward and support the recall effort.