It's official, Janet Joakim's recall affidavits have been submitted to the town clerk....

By Gary Lopez

For the second time in the last three business days an affidavit with 57 valid signatures of Precinct 6 registered voters was submitted to the Barnstable Town Clerk.

Today Mary Michael, a Precinct 6 registered voter, and a recall affidavit initiator, accompanied by Taryn Thoman, a COGger, and volunteer facilitator for Joakim's recall submitted the affidavits in town hall at 4:00PM.

Yarmouth resident Peter Kenney witnessed the event.

The affidavits are clean, neat, and clear, and all checked against a recently obtained voter registration list.

Each signer was meticulously careful, and none of the five pages of signatures has the slightest smudge.

Thoman expects to pick up the 57 official petitions for Mary tomorrow, and get back on the road delivering each affidavit signed by the town clerk, emblazoned with the town seal tomorrow, Wednesday.

Because the 10-day clock begins tomorrow, each initiator will get his or her petition from Thoman tomorrow.

Since there are 2,500 registered voters in Precinct 6, to comply with the recall provision in the town charter, 250 signatures must be collected.

Thoman and Michael said voters are not only eager to sign, but have talked neighbors, and friends into signing as well.

Each of the 57 affidavit initiators need only collect the signatures of four friends, relatives, and neighbors (57 X 5 = 285) to exceed the required 10%.

Joakim's antics against the ZBA, and Blanchard's Liquor, polorarized most of her constituents against her.

Thoman claims the crescendo against Joakim rises to the level of loathing.

COG is looking at a late September recall election, if Janet doesn't resign at the next council hearing.

Once the 250 signatures are certified, the next step (within 5 days) is for the council to seek her resignation.

Joakim's approval rating is below that of President Bush, and she won her last election by 76 votes.

Pass the toast.