The push to recall Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey began Monday with petitioners collecting signatures at Rosenblatt Stadium, Memorial Park and the Eagle’s Lodge in Elkhorn.

They have 30 days to collect nearly 22,000 signatures of registered Omaha voters to force a recall election. Organizers say their goal is 26,000 signatures.

Later Monday, they took it to neighborhoods going door-to-door. Every step was progress for Penny Blansett, who made the rounds in her neighborhood trying to get another signature to recall the mayor.

"Hi there, I'm doing a petition for Mike Fahey.”

“I don't want that." Not every house was warm to the idea. "Alright, thank you."

They'll also target high traffic times like tax day at the post office, the first and end of the month at the DMV and property tax protest days.

When Mike Boyle was recalled as mayor in 1987, petitioners only needed to collect a third of what is needed now. Plus, because of the timing then, many people signed up when they were voting during a regular election.

In Elkhorn Monday, voters showed up before the petitions did. There were 18 people waiting to sign them inside the Eagle’s Lodge, with Max Mumford standing first in line. "I didn't like what they did to Elkhorn."

The bitterness of the annexation of Elkhorn lingers two years after the fact. Many believe the qualities of a small town disappeared in the takeover.

"I signed it because I don't think he should be mayor anymore,” says Joan Schlondorf. “I figure if they don't get enough people for the recall, people will figure we'll get him next year when he runs for office if he's dumb enough to run."

It hasn't just been the Elkhorn annexation that drove some to sign the petition. The mayor's push for a new, downtown baseball stadium seems to be the driving force.

"As if taxpayers don't really have much to say about it, a project this big, I think taxpayers should have something to say about it," says JoAnn Yates.

"He's spending like he's a millionaire," says Ed Sekera.

Some still don't get it. "The recall really wouldn't seem to be needed now because the mayoral election is within a year and people can show their distrust for the mayor,” said Steve Brennan, who started a Web site (ourfound.com) in support of the mayor's plan for a downtown stadium (Friends of Omaha United for a New Diamond) and has already seen thousands of hits. "This is an unnecessary expense."

Mayor Fahey does not appear to be worried about the recall efforts. In a written statement issued Monday, he defends his achievements while in office.

"Omaha is on the right track and I am proud of my record. Over the past seven years, city government and citizens have worked together to build a stronger Omaha and I am confident that the opinions of a few will not derail all of the success we continue to enjoy."

Recall Fahey says any money left from the campaign will be donated to the Douglas County Election Commission to offset the cost of a potential recall vote, which could cost taxpayers around $200,000.