Recall effort clears first hurdle

Walton in Action presents first signatures for Board of Election review

From left, Walton In Action organizers Traci Myers, Sandy Davis, Gareth Fenley, Ron Sack and Jeff Peterson show off the 220 signatures they gained for the recall petition before presenting them to the Walton County Board of Elections. Photo credit: Stephen Milligan | The Walton Tribune

The local activist group Walton in Action continued its push to remove Chairman David Thompson from office Friday as the organization presented its first batch of signatures to the Walton County Board of Elections.

Walton in Action initiated the recall procedure earlier this month and began canvassing Walton County looking for signatures needed to formally begin the process of attempting to remove Thompson from the leadership position on the Walton County Board of Commissioners. This initial filing begins a review phase, during which the Election Board will certify signatures and the Superior Court will review legal grounds of the recall application. Once approved, organizers will begin collecting more than 22,000 signatures from Walton County voters to trigger a recall election — a first in the county’s history.

The group cites Chairman Thompson’s failure to honor his campaign promise of “no millage increases” and his decision to raise the property tax millage rate by nearly 20 percent this year as primary motivations for the recall. In addition, Walton in Action points to Thompson’s insulting comments toward citizens, reportedly calling voters “village idiots,” “sick,” “stupid,” and “lower than pond scum” both on social media and in board meetings.

Despite being urged to resign, Thompson refuses to step down. However, the formal petition specifically cites allegations Thompson took votes on issues involving property he owns, triggering a conflict of interest that Walton in Action organizers says rises to the level of malfeasance and merits removal from office.

“The people of Walton County elected him and the people of Walton County can remove him,” said Gareth Fenley, chairperson of Walton In Action PAC. “This fight is not just about one vote. It’s about restoring honesty and respect in our local government.”

Fenley refuted Thompson’s claims the recall was without legal merit, saying they had found evidence of malfeasance by Thompson on a vote he took in 2022. The group claims Thompson voted on an annexation petition submitted by Rosewood Development, a company which owed Thompson money, which amounts to a conflict of interest on his part after he failed to recuse himself on the vote.

“We went through thousands of papers and found a clear conflict of interest,” Fenley said. “His response we don’t have a legal reason is not true. We do.”

The organizers emphasized this was the right move for Walton County.

“We are calling on the other commissioners to do what is right: hold Chairman Thompson to a high standard of ethics and integrity,” said Ron Sack, vice chairperson of Walton In Action PAC. “If he refuses to resign, then stand with the people and support efforts to recall him.”

Walton in Action emphasizes that this recall effort is a grassroots, volunteer-driven movement — not backed by corporate or establishment donors. The organization encourages residents to participate and contribute to support costs for printing, outreach and legal expenses.

“This is a nonpartisan citizens’ movement built by the people of Walton County uniting together,” added Fenley. “Every donation, no matter how small, helps us hold our county government accountable.”

The petition drive collected 220 signatures, more than twice the required 100 signatures to initiate a recall review. The Board of Elections now has five business days to verify the signatures against voter rolls. Once verified, the board will inform Thompson, who has four days to contest the recall. If he does, a judge will review the recall effort and determine if it has enough evidence to move forward.

Fenley said they are confident they have what they need to remove Thompson from office.

“The voters all have their own reasons to want to remove Thompson,” Fenley said.