The country has finally found something to unite them - no, it is not Dolly Parton. It is their hatred of giant, energy sucking, water draining DATA CENTERS. And politicians are finally wising up to it...well, most of them.
One councilman in Missouri learned the hard way that siding with big tech will only do one thing - get you fired from your job.
KMBC is reporting that John Perkins, a Councilman from District 1 in Independence, was successfully recalled this week after he voted to approve a multibillion dollar ginormous data center in their town. The vote wasn't even close - 68% of voters wanted him removed immediately.
And their wish will be granted. The laws require his term to end as soon as election results are certified, which will be pretty soon. He was supposed to serve until June 2028. I guess that will be cut short....by a lot.
The vote that cost him his job was just taken in March of this year. He voted to approve the giant data center to be built on a 400 acre plot near Missouri 78 and Little Blue Parkway. He cast one of the five votes in support of the data center. It is unclear if the other 4 may be recalled or voted out. The focus appeared to be on him.
The data center is already being built. It is a $150 billion dollar "Nebius AI data center."
Perkins defended his vote, saying:
"I think I can rest assured and sleep well tonight that I've done the best I can for the city of Independence for the years I've been here."
Welp, he can rest assured...while he looks for a new job.
FAFO.
