Time is running out for backers of a recall petition against Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch to collect the necessary signatures to force a recall referendum.
The effort, initiated by a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Hall County, accuses Couch, who was arrested in February for DUI, of malfeasance, violating his oath of office, failing to perform his duties, and engaging in misconduct. He is scheduled to go on trial Sept. 21 and has been back at work in recent weeks after serving a suspension which was given him by Gov. Kemp.
To trigger a recall election, organizers must collect more than 42,000 valid signatures. As of a few days ago, they still need about 40,000 more before the Thursday deadline and there was no update on the group’s Facebook page late Saturday afternoon.
Earlier this month, the recall effort was the subject of a Community Forum broadcast on 97.5 Glory FM:
LISTEN: Tanya Hagwood and Stacey Morgan Discuss Sheriff Couch Recall