Candor, NC -- People in Candor are trying to take back control of their town. It's a story we have been on top of since December.
The county commissioners voted to fire four of the town's five police officers without giving a reason.
Since the firings, there have been allegations of improper conduct, influential community members abusing their power and connections between the new commissioners and the newly hired officers.
While the town does now have a new police chief, some voters still want their mayor and three of the commissioners out.
Neighbors believe they have a growing chorus of discontent; people who are tired of being left in the dark about city decisions.
Now, many of them are putting their frustrations in ink. "The decision that was made on December 12th... There was no discussion, they just went into an executive session, came out and fired these people," said Becky Williams, a resident and former mayor of the town.
But Williams and her friends aren't waiting any longer for answers.
"We typed up the petition, we made beaucoup copies and we go door to door and spread them out to people and [the other people] go from door to door," said Frank Harris, who co-drafted the petition.
Rebecca Shepherd, the other author of the petition, says they've collected about 150 signatures since December; all registered voters. And it's picking up. "All of these are just from two or three of us going door to door," said Shepherd.
The petition asks for three things: that the state elections board adds a recall provision to the town's charter, that the removed officers be re-hired and for the mayor along with three commissioners resign.
"The public, the voters here in Candor, we've lost faith in their ability to make reasonable and rational decisions," said Shepherd.
The group was hoping to get enough signatures for a January meeting. But now they say they are staying the course until they get support from a majority of the city's voters.
"I intend to push it as long as we can; as long as people will stick with us," said Harris.
Shepherd added, "I hate that this had to happen but i think it has brought our community closer together. We're working for a common cause."
WFMY News 2