LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Saturday night, more than a hundred people gathered at the Courtside Banquet Hall in support of the LNK Recall initiative, including comedian and Pawnee City native Larry the Cable Guy.
I stay out of a lot this stuff,” Larry the Cable Guy said. “This isnt my mayor so I shouldnt worry about it, but I got to say this: Its always crazy to me that all the people that force other people out of business and having them have a hard time to make a living. Ive noticed that every one of them are getting paychecks.
LNK Recall is aiming to recall Lincoln mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, citing several reasons, including the impact city-imposed COVID-19 restrictions have had on small businesses and youth sports, as well as the power the mayor has under the state of emergency order declared in March.
“This whole thing is about giving Lincoln the opportunity to have their voice heard,” LNK Recall organizer Samuel Lyon said. Theres no public hearing about the sports ban, its just what they decide. Theres no public hearing about when restaurants and bars can close, theres no legislative debate on that. Those are things that should go through the city council.
Ben Madsen, owner of Madsen’s Bowling and Billiards, had a very public battle with the city’s health department in August. He says his business is still feeling the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
With the ban on pool, and darts, and the other things that are still in effect, our business is still being affected majorly, Madsen said. Im out here to support LNK Recall because of the way that the small businesses have been attacked by the mayor herself and also the city council has silenced the voices of citizens.
Decline to Sign is a bipartisan group opposed to the LNK Recall initiative. The group has received support from doctors, the Lancaster County commissioner, and former senators who believe that now is not the time for a special election. Decline to Sign treasurer Justin Carlson issued the following statement to Channel 8 following LNK Recall’s Saturday night event:
“In the midst of the pandemic now is not the time to assemble in large super-spreader events. It’s also not the time to joke around about the Corona Virus Pandemic that has unfortunately taken more lives in the U.S. than the population of Lincoln. We continue to encourage all Lincolnites to politely decline to sign the petition to recall the City Council and the Mayor.”
Lyon declined to reveal how many signatures have been gathered by LNK Recall, saying that revealing the number of signatures at this time serves no benefit to the group. He did say he was hopeful the group will be able to secure the 21,652 signatures needed by Dec. 23 in order for the election commissioner’s office to move forward towards a recall election.read more
Larry the Cable Guy, local business owners get together for indoor LNK Recall event – KLKN
