Franklin recall push falls short

FRANKLIN, Neb. - Leonard Herrick of Franklin did not turn in recall petitions Friday against Franklin County Attorney Pat Duncan.

This is the third recall petition deadline to pass without Herrick submitting petitions since July 30.

Herrick started his recall against Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Archer and Franklin City Councilman Len Herrick, Leonard Herrick's son, in June. The deadline for returning petitions to Volk was July 30 for Archer, July 31 for the younger Herrick, and Friday on Duncan.

Herrick failed to return any petitions by the deadlines.

Franklin County Clerk Marcia Volk told the Kearney Hub that means the original recall effort has ended. If Leonard Herrick wants to attempt to recall the three officials, he will have to start the process over.

A 2 1/2-year-old disagreement about a family business owned by both Herricks caused the recall effort. Archer and Duncan were included in the elder Herrick's recall efforts because, he claimed, they did not live up to their official responsibilities.

In June, Leonard Herrick told the Hub Sheriff Archer had failed to file charges against his son, Len Herrick, and that Duncan had failed to appoint a special prosecutor. The targets of the recall said other agencies had investigated the claims and found no wrongdoing.