Temple residents launch recall effort against mayor, council members over data center vote

Residents in Temple, Texas, have initiated a recall campaign against Mayor Tim Davis, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Walker, and Councilman Mike Pilkington. This move by the group "Stop the Temple Data Center" comes after the city council's recent decision to annex and rezone approximately 700 acres along Bob White Road, facilitating a proposed $700 million data center project. Resident Carly Byrd voiced significant concerns, citing the potential impact on water and electricity usage, strain on local infrastructure, and a perceived decline in overall quality of life. Elena Voytko, another member of the opposition group, criticized the council's swift decision-making and what she described as disrespectful conduct during public comment sessions, particularly Mayor Davis's decision to cut off further questions after a five-hour meeting. Rowan Digital Infrastructure, the company developing the project, countered these concerns, with Director of Public Relations & Strategic Communications Nathaniel Brown stating that the facility was designed specifically for the region and would not have a negative impact. The "Stop the Temple Data Center" group is currently collecting the approximately 5,000 signatures needed from Temple residents to trigger a recall election.