Grammar Errors Impede the Initiatives of One Scrupulous Citizen
Grammatical errors can form significant barriers to effective communication. They can also get in the way of civic duty.
According to the Press-Enterprise, the written protests of a vocal critic of a local councilwoman have been repeatedly rejected because of his grammatical errors. Retiree John Smelser will need submit a third version of his forms for the recall of Menifee city councilwoman Darcy Kuenzi after his first two submissions were rejected. He also failed to include Kuenzi's council title in his forms, the news source notes.
Speaking to the paper, city registrar Rebecca Spencer noted that a citizen's written notice of intention for a recall must have flawless grammar to be able to enter the public record as a petition. Kuenzi will be able to submit her rebuttal to the recall notice - that is, if Smelser's grammar proves passable.
Written recalls of local public officials are common. Last November, the residents of Bell City, California, served notices to council members which explained the reasons for their recall, according to a report on CBSnews.com. After a necessary number of registered voters signed the petition, the city mayor, vice mayor and one councilman were ousted.
Individuals who plan to submit text that may be widely read might find grammar and spelling checks to be extremely useful.
