Once divided, Sand Springs residents band together to demand recall of elected officials

Opponents of the Sand Springs government's management of "Project Spring," a significant data center initiative, escalated their actions this week by collecting over 1,600 signatures to recall three city councilors. Cody Worrell of Ward 1, Matt Barnett of Ward 2, and Mike Burdge of Ward 3 face a potential recall election stemming from their 6-1 vote in February to rezone 827 acres, enabling the construction of the data center, which Google is expected to operate for cloud storage. While Mayor Jim Spoon was also targeted, insufficient signatures prevented a recall effort against him. Kyle Schmidt, president of the Protect Sand Springs Alliance, spearheaded the recall campaign, submitting the signatures to City Hall amid a demonstration of 40 protesters. Residents, including Katherine Smoots, a long-time Sand Springs resident, voiced deep concerns regarding the local government's previous agreement to annex land to developer White Rose Partners for the project. A key point of contention is the perceived exclusion of Osage County residents, living near but outside city limits, from the annexation decision, a stance Mayor Spoon reportedly justified by stating their lack of voice in the matter. This dispute has triggered multiple legal challenges from grassroots organizations, including Schmidt's, against the annexation. Residents like Morgan Caywood joined the recall effort, emphasizing the necessity for community unity against decisions driven by financial motives rather than public welfare. The city of Sand Springs will now verify the petition signatures, a process that could take up to 30 days, potentially leading to a recall election on the November ballot.